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

This session was one I enjoyed tremendously. While I love that so many of my portrait sessions focus on babies and young children, it is a treat to work with older kids. As we are shooting, I often tell Mom to get her kids laughing, to bring out those natural smiles, and it’s so fun for me to hear the jokes and tidbits she uses to elicit a snicker or two. It gives me a peek of what my kids will be like in a few years.

Zach and Abby were fantastic to work with. They both show such strong, grace-filled hearts, and such genuine character. It was actually freezing the night we met for their portrait session, and Zach had very recently suffered a sports injury to his hip, yet neither of them complained one bit and they made my job so easy!

Their mom happens to be someone very important in our lives, as she is our oldest son’s teacher. I can hardly express the blessing she has been to us this year. She has poured so much love, guidance, and prayer into her students, and we are so thankful for how she has helped our son thrive in school. With only six weeks left in the school year, I am sad to see it coming to an end so soon!

I had planned on sharing another recent session on today’s blog post, but something bigger is on my heart. This morning as my children ate their breakfast before school, I was sorting and straightening one of the many stacks of paper that like to gather on our kitchen counter. I found a yellow construction-paper card mixed among the bills, with a design of red and orange lines on the front like rays of sunlight. On the card he had drawn, my 8 year old son had written a poem.

He is my sunshine when I’m scared in the dark.
He is my blanket when I am cold.
He is my pat on the shoulder when I’m sad as a boulder who wants to go over a hill.
He is my guidance when I am lost and paralyzed with fear.
Then He lets me know “I’m here.”

How blessed I am when I get these little glimpses into his heart, how blessed when I see his faith and light shining so brilliantly. How blessed I am to know that he not only knows his Savior, but loves him, trusts him. How blessed indeed.

May you be richly blessed today with sunshine, warmth, reassurance, guidance and love.

“People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”” Luke 18:15-17 (NIV)

Look how much she’s grown! Abigail is a Milestones graduate. I loved seeing her grow in her first year. She has such a delicate beauty, and has since birth. But now at age 2, I got to see a new side of Abigail, a silly, energetic side that really made me smile. She is an adorable toddler! Her mom and I did a little role playing during the session to entice Abigail to pose where we wanted.

“Mom, do you think Abigail could stand here by this wall?” I would say.

Her mom would reply, “Oh, I don’t know, Miss Shannon. That is a really BIG GIRL thing to do.”

Miss Abigail was eager to prove to us that she was a big girl. Worked like a charm.

Matt, Stephanie, and Abigail, you have brought me so many smiles over the last two years. I can’t wait to see the stunning young lady Abigail becomes. Thank you for sharing this time with me. See you at church!