Merry Christmas!

December 24, 2010 11:23 am

I have been too busy to blog like I should this season, but I wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a very merry, magical, and blessed Christmas. After wrapping up my very full portrait season last week, my family and I headed to Orlando for a week with Mickey, the Princesses, and even a day in Hogsmeade. It was just what I needed – time away from everyday life and work to just smile and cherish special memories with my husband and kids. We had a glorious week, returning to life at home yesterday. We are watching our favorite Christmas movies, wrapping gifts, and laughing at the latest escapades of our visiting elf. Tonight we will celebrate our Savior’s birth with a birthday cake and delicious dinner, and we look forward to our day with extended family tomorrow. (… and hoping for snow!!!!)

Now that I have time to breathe and sleep again, I’ll be back to blogging regularly soon. I’ll be sharing some of this Fall’s sessions and some personal photographic memories from this year. I also have some new things for Shannon Holden Photography coming up in the New Year, so stay tuned!

I hope all of you out there have a year of smiles, love, and wonder in 2011. Thank you for the blessing you have been to me this year. I have the best clients in the world.

Much love,
Shannon

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

-Isaiah 9:6 NIV

Filed in: Child Photography | Family Photography | Randomness
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December 30, 2010 - 4:28 pm

Elaine - Love, love, LOVE your CHRISTmas card!! Be blessed in the coming year!

I love how God works | Roswell Family Photographer

November 16, 2010 2:05 pm

When I first felt the nudge to go to Africa this past summer on my first mission trip, one of the initial anxiety points that cropped up was my fear of traveling. That anxiety was multiplied ten-fold by my fear of traveling with strangers. I’m generally a fairly shy homebody. But God knows my heart, and he knows what I need. First, he led me to an opening on a Wiphan mission with my kids’ PE teacher, a woman I admire and feel very comfortable with. The stranger obstacle was removed, or at least reduced. Then I found out my son’s teacher’s son (following me?), whom I had photographed before, was also going to be traveling with us. And our team would be led by another family I knew through school, whose daughter was in my son’s grade. Ok, God, thanks for the reassurance!

In the midst of my anxiety about committing to the trip, I met Christy one afternoon on the school playground. I knew we had mutual friends, and I knew she was involved with Wiphan. I soon learned that she and her husband Brad would be traveling with our group. What I didn’t know was how much I would come to adore this family! One would think that 10 days in a foreign, impoverished country with a random group of people could be a recipe for stress and misery. But God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good. He put together a perfect group of 9 strangers and turned them into friends. We spent those 10 days together, laughing, learning, helping, hurting, worshiping, serving, seeking, and growing. It was hands-down one of the best experiences of my entire life. And forever, Brad and Christy will be a key thread in that memory for me.

I had a blast creating their family portraits this year. Their family and mine have gotten to spend more time together since our trip. Anyone who knows them can tell you that they are some of the warmest, most selfless, and most entertaining people around! I always look forward to time with them, and our session was no different. Kyle and Lily Kate are so precious. Kyle has a sense of calm wisdom about him, though with that spark of energy that all 5 year olds have. Lily Kate is funny and spirited.

Brad and Christy, thank you for being who you are, loyal friends, loving parents, and humble servants of God. I am so blessed to know you. I hope we can share more journeys together in the future.

Much love,
Shannon

Filed in: Child Photography | Family Photography | General | Sessions
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November 16, 2010 - 7:36 pm

He's Always Good - Good for you dear writer. Fear is not that easy to be removed. But if you have FAITH, and JUST HAVE FAITH to God then it’s easy to remove all the fears you have on life. Why? because you believe in yourself that God won’t let us Harm in anyways. So have trust and STRONG FAITH on HIM.

Can I just post this entire session? | Roswell Children’s Photography

November 8, 2010 1:04 pm

This was my second year getting to photograph adorable Miss Amber, and just like last year, she was an absolute delight. Amber is positively one of the most natural little models I have ever worked with as a photographer. Her delicate light and spirit just radiate from within her. I loved every single image that came out of this year’s portrait session with her. Her mom has an incredible sense of style and brings such creativity in wardrobe and ideas to our sessions together. I got this email from her the day before our session: “I am at your disposal-   if there is something you have been itching to try out-  lets go for it! I am totally open to your creativity!” How I love sessions and clients like that! As artists, the freedom to be creative inspires us like nothing else.

Allyson, it is a true joy and blessing to work with you and your amazing daughter. Thank you for choosing me as your photographer. Hugs to you, darling Amber!

Much love,
Shannon

Filed in: Child Photography | General | Sessions
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Happy Halloween!

October 30, 2010 1:29 pm

Boo! Did I surprise you? Because it’s been a few weeks since I visited the blog. I have been in the thick of the holiday portrait season. During most of the year, I shoot about 2-3 portrait sessions a week. One session equates to about 10-12 hours of work. My lighter schedule during the year is one of the biggest blessings of my job as a photographer, because it allows me so much more time with my family than my desk jobs of the past did. But during the holidays, the portrait world cranks into high gear. I’ve been shooting 5-6 sessions per week. Thank God for our beautiful weather to allow my schedule to flow as planned these past few months!

I took a break recently for my kids’ Halloween Dress Rehearsal. I’ve been so excited about this year’s Holden Halloween theme. Once their costumes arrived, I just couldn’t wait to get them all dressed for a preview! In case it isn’t obvious with these photographs, I am a huge Harry Potter fan. And one day, as I played with my three kids – a brunette, a redhead, and a frizzy-haired girl – I just knew that I had a Ron, Harry and Hermoine in the making! It took some time to brainwash convince the kids. I started this past January. A few strategically planned Family Movie Nights, a peek at the online ads for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and presto … Harry Potter Fans they are! Though I had to laugh on a recent playground visit when my oldest proudly told a friend of mine that the Harry Potter theme was his idea. Whatever!

Introducing my own Harry, Ron and Hermoine who will be trick-or-treating around Alpharetta tomorrow night. I hope you and your little Tinkerbelles, Darth Vaders, and Buzz Lightyears have a wonderful and safe Halloween!

Much love,
Shannon

Filed in: General | Randomness
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October 30, 2010 - 1:50 pm

Alissa - Seriously perfect- you could have a more perfect 3 children for this!!! She looks amazingly like Hermoine!!!

October 30, 2010 - 7:31 pm

Tiffany P - Love it, love it, love it!!!!! The costumes are gorgeous!

October 30, 2010 - 9:56 pm

Kim Cohn - Beautiful of course! However, take it easy on the Buzz Lightyear – my child is super excited to be Buzz (even though mommy tried very hard to talk him into being a cute animal costume, he was pretty adamant about Buzz). Have fun tomorrow!!! :)

October 31, 2010 - 9:50 am

Tiffany L - As Harry would say — BRILLIANT!

October 31, 2010 - 12:52 pm

Shannon Holden {Alpharetta Baby and Child Photographer} - Thanks all! Kim, please know I meant nothing negative at all about the Buzzes and other cuties who will be out there tonight! Many of my clients are planning on Buzzes, Tinkerbelles, and Darth Vaders, which is why I mentioned those in particular. I know all the kids will be adorable. I love Halloween! :)

Have fun tonight, everyone!

November 6, 2010 - 7:51 pm

Angela L. - LOVE this! the costumes are wonderful! :)

November 16, 2010 - 11:58 pm

Michelle - Oh my gosh Shannon! These are adorable! And you are so right Harry, Ron and hermione! My kids and I watched HP6 last weekend in anticipation for the new release thsi week! Can’t wait!