Shannon Holden Photography

Hello out there! I can’t believe August is not only here, but almost over. I have thoroughly enjoyed the last few weeks of summer with my family and I’m so excited about the Holiday Portrait Season kicking into gear. I’ve been back at work shooting for the last few weeks as well, so I have some sessions I am anxious to share on the blog! On the topic of Holiday Portraits, now is the time to plan your child’s and family’s sessions! I only have a couple of spots left in September, and a handful for October. My weekend session spots are currently full until November. It’s going to be a busy, fun Fall! I can hardly wait!

The first beautiful boy to whom I want to introduce you is Trett. A little while back, a dear client of mine called me to buy a gift certificate for her friends. She told me some of their story, in which they welcomed their first child, a son. In the moments that most of us are reveling in the joy and anticipation of our child’s birth, they were facing some really frightening news and predictions. Trett’s first year has been a difficult journey as they coped with many health challenges and developmental delays. But from the moment I met them, their love for their child outshone all of that. Trett is one amazing little boy, and he is loved, respected, and cherished beyond measure. I am so thankful for clients like these, incredible people who remind me of what really matters in life.

Trett, it was an honor to meet you, sweet boy, and a blessing to spend time with your Mommy and Daddy, and to see the love they have for you. It is clear to see how much joy you bring to their lives.

Much love,
Shannon

Whenever I disappear from the blog for a while, you can assume one of two things. Either I’m not working much, or I’m working like crazy. It’s usually the latter. In this case, I’ve had a full session calendar for June in addition to all three of my kids out of school and home with me for the summer.  The blog simply gets neglected when I get swamped, in favor of higher priority tasks and of course, mommyhood. My apologies to my readers.

We recently returned home from our annual beach vacation in the Outer Banks, a week with my extended family that we all enjoy so much. On the way there, I had the opportunity to stop overnight in North Carolina for a couple of sessions. It was there I got to photograph darling Anna and her awesome parents. Being friends of friends, I have spent time with their family before, so I had an idea of just how much fun it would be to see them through my camera. They were simply wonderful portrait subjects! The laughter, the love, the genuine joy they share. I really do have the best job in the world, sharing and preserving memories with families like these.

Want to know how we ultimately coaxed that precious smile out of Anna? All of my silly dancing, mixed up nursery rhymes, and funny animal noises didn’t do it. Nope. Daddy’s cell phone brought out the giggles. Who knew?

Anna, Chetta, and Chip, thank you for the chance to be your photographer! I loved spending a Saturday afternoon with all of you.

Much love,
Shannon

“When a baby is born, so is a mother.” One of my favorite quotations. It’s so true. Once a child enters your life, you are never the same.

And now, one of my dearest friends in the world has become a mother. Peggy and I met in college, and our friendship grew closer in the years after that. It was Peggy who held my hand at 4:30 a.m. in a hospital room, as I held my mother’s, as Mom left this life behind for Heaven. I told Peggy that night that she was no longer just a friend to me. She was a sister.

Life gets hectic though, and living in different states can make it hard to stay in touch. I don’t get to see Peggy nearly as often as I’d like. But to get the chance to celebrate with her as she welcomes her first child into the world … well, that’s something that I wouldn’t miss. So with our other dear friend, Melissa, we got to spend a weekend catching up and meeting Miss Addie.

Addie was 6 weeks old when I met her. Normally that is an age that can be difficult to photograph, which is why I generally recommend that my clients schedule their newborn portrait sessions between 6 and 10 days after the baby’s birth. After the first couple weeks of life, babies learn that they can wiggle and stretch, and posing for portraits is not high on their list of favorite things. But obviously in some circumstances, it’s just not possible to schedule a portrait session in that early window. Miss Addie proved me wrong on the timing, and she was an absolute delight. She even agreed to a quick snooze during her portrait session. She might truly be one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen. With a mother like Peggy, I know she will have a lifelong beauty that radiates from within.

Welcome to the world, darling Addie. What a blessing you are!

Much love,
Shannon

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.