Shannon Holden Photography

Once again, I got the chance to spend a morning with Ava, Henry and Robert for their annual portraits. It never ceases to amaze me … seeing how children grow from year to year. Ava is becoming a young lady, a tad quiet but opening up after a few minutes. She is lovely and sweet. Henry is full of energy (like my own middle child), with a handsome, bold confidence. And Robert, who was still a baby when I saw him last year, is turning into a little boy right before our eyes. Look at those eyes!

Photographing three siblings can be a challenge, but thankfully my own three kids give me plenty of practice. Little Robert was especially reluctant to smile for me at first, but patience (and a little creative enticement from Mom and Dad) won out. Our session happened on another of our recent sweltering days so we were all glistening a little. Thankfully the park offered a tiny creek and a chance for the kids to cool off their feet in the water. I love the classic feeling to the images we captured then, with their seersucker outfits and the lush landscape.

To the D Family, as always, thank you for choosing me as your photographer. I always love working with you!

Mr. H loves trains! Many of my blog readers will recognize this fantastic family. I first met them when their son was just a bump in Mommy’s tummy. Now this handsome young man is two years old and getting more adorable by the day! His love of trains inspired the location – the Southeatern Railway Museum in Duluth, Georgia. It was the perfect setting! Though I am often partial to black and white photography, I love all the vibrant color in this session.

I am so blessed to call this family my friends as well as my clients, and it was so fun to spend an afternoon with them. We had a gorgeous, warm Spring day for our session. Fresh air … clear, crisp light … the glee and giggles of a toddler … Life doesn’t get any better than this!

Last week, in fact. But I’ve hardly had any time to play with it since then! Just tonight, I finally had about an hour to spare, so I threw my daughter’s ultra chic red coat on her and carted her outside.

What’s the new camera? The Canon 5D Mark II. Without a doubt, the most amazing camera I have ever held in my hands. I am blown away by what this cookie can do. For the photographers who know what the heck I am talking about …. it will shoot clean and beautifully at 6400 iso! It will even go as high as 25,600 iso! Can you stand it?! The tones, color and detail from this camera are just stunning.

I will be doing lots of playing and learning in the next couple of weeks, as I start shooting full time with this baby beginning with my January sessions (or sooner, if I feel comfortable enough with it). So you might see a few more personal shots on the blog!

I know the mom of this beautiful princess has been waiting very anxiously for her sneak peek! I first met Miss A last year when she was just on the verge of full toddlerhood. Now she is a beautiful young lady and more precious than ever. She was a little shy at first, but we became friends again quickly.

Can you guess how old she is? She worked hard to make her fingers say the right number.

There are so many images from this session that grabbed my heart. The sparkling backlight on her darling curls. The smile that can almost make you hear the giggle that went with it. The close up of Miss A, with her delicate eyelashes, and her deep, dark eyes full of such wonder and wisdom. I often find myself mesmerized by images like this one, reminded of just how fast they grow. For just a moment, we get a glimpse of the young woman she will one day be, a hint of the wisdom and gentleness which will shape her life. And in another moment, the glimpse is only a memory, as she toddles off to the next adventure.

And the last one … a Mommy and Daughter on a cool Autumn day … the tenderness she feels for her baby girl, the soft sun filtered through the leaves, the vibrant colors of nature all around them … just a moment, but one that shows us that often the simplest moments can be the most beautiful. As an artist, this image might be one of my favorites from the whole year. Can you see the heart shape they create as they snuggle together? Oh, I love it! T, I hope you love the images, too! Thank you for sharing your exquisite little girl with me for a morning. I enjoyed every minute of my time with you both!