Shannon Holden Photography

No work today! We are having too much fun with the snow in Alpharetta. Hope you are having a fun day, too!

Announcing a new product from Shannon Holden Photography! I fell in love with these when I saw them at the photography convention I recently attended. I ordered my first sample hours after I got home. And I love it even more now that I’m holding it in my hands!

Introducing our heirloom Memory Boxes. Custom matched to your baby’s nursery or your child’s room, each box is a work of art in itself. You choose the treasures to keep inside … baby’s hospital bracelet, a first lock of hair, and a copy of his birth announcement. Or maybe it can be a collection of snapshots from your son’s 5th year, along with the ornament he made in Kindergarten, and the note he wrote to you on Mother’s Day this year. Even high school seniors can store their memories and snapshots of senior year, their graduation announcement, and the tassle from their cap. I’m designing a box for each of my sons who were baptized this year, where they can keep their memories of their baptism day, the cards from dear friends, the photos of their baptism, and their personalized Bibles which were a gift from their aunt.

The outside measurement of the box is 9.5″ x 9.5″ x 3″ deep. The inside of the box is lined in black cloth. (Please pardon the blurred area on the sample box below. I try to keep my subjects’ last names off my blog for safety reasons.)

I just love these, and I hope you do, too! They are available now in our online store. You can find them in the Specialty Items section.

Much love,
Shannon

P.S. I’m anxious to design a few more of these, so how about an introductory offer? Everyone loves a sale, right? I am offering $50 off all boxes ordered in the next three days. Just email me or visit the online store! Sorry, this offer is only valid on current or previous sessions, not future ones. Expires February 3, 2010 at midnight EST.

It has been a year since I saw Hank for a portrait session, and when his mommy helped him out of the car, I hardly recognized him! Now two years old, he has changed from Baby to Kid! He was absolutely adorable for our session! He flashed an instant and precious smile every time I pointed my camera at him. Usually a two year old session involves me chasing a toddler all over a park, and getting lots of shots of the back of his head. But Hank was having a ball having his portrait made, and his parents and I couldn’t help but laugh at how much he enjoyed his modeling job.

Even at the end of our session, when we all thought he was “done” as we say, and as we were heading back toward our cars, Hank started saying, “More cheese!” (Now, please let me clarify that I do not encourage my subjects to “Say Cheese!” … so don’t even get that thought in your head!) It turns out “More Cheese” was Hank’s code for wanting more pictures. So he chose his own little spot to sit, and once again, flashed that picture perfect smile! I clicked away, and he even said, “One more time!” and smiled again!! I’m smiling as I type this, just remembering his cute little face. What an awesome subject he was!

As much as I enjoyed those joyful smiles, as I edited the session, I found that I loved many of his non-smiling portraits just as much. There is just something so captivating and heart-stirring about the innocence at age two, the curiosity, the depth of their souls in their eyes. Images like those truly move me as an artist.

Kevin, Heather, and Hank … it was wonderful to see you again. And Hank … keep smiling, handsome!

They are the reason I am who I am today.

These three have taught me what life is all about. They have shown me the miracles God can create and the unconditional love with which he can fill our lives. When I look at them, I feel indescribable peace and purpose. They are the reason I giggle and the reason I cry, the reason I still feel young and the reason I can stop and soak up a moment of laughter.

They are the reason I am a photographer, because they are my muse, the reason I pick up my camera even when I think I don’t have an ounce of energy left. They are the reason I work, because my career has helped me be a better parent, and because my income helps us make some of the choices we have made for them.

They are also the reason I am taking some time off soon. Yesterday was my middle son’s 6th birthday. In his eyes, I see a glimpse of the man he will become, and I know that will happen all too quickly. I’ve worked a lot this summer, more than I intended to (though I can’t complain … I’m thankful to be busy!), and I don’t want to miss out on any of those childhood memories. Because next year he will be seven and his brother will be nine. In a blink, he’ll be sixteen, and he won’t be interested in backyard games with the water hose, or bubbles, or snuggling with his sister to watch fireworks.

So, I’m taking some time off at end of this summer. Don’t worry … the appointments on my calendar already aren’t going anywhere! I will keep those as planned. But by the grace of God, I ended up with about 3 weeks session-free right before school starts. When I studied my calendar and saw the gap, I was delighted. Those three weeks will belong to my children and no one else. It will be the perfect break for me before the chaos of the holiday portrait season begins. I’m going to sit in a lounge chair poolside and watch them splash. I’m going to chase fireflies with my kids. I’m going to lay next to them in the grass and watch the clouds float overhead. I’m going to take them to the park and the zoo, and I’m going to snuggle with them on the couch and do nothing.

So, my calendar is officially closed for the rest of the summer. Sessions for September and beyond are available, though going fast! October is almost booked. Call me soon if you want to reserve a spot for holiday portraits. The last holiday session available will be November 1.