Shannon Holden Photography

George’s mommy tells me he is a miracle baby. After some significantly frightening news and possibilities during her pregnancy, and after months of prayer from family and friends, sweet George is here, healthy, and thriving. God is so good!

George is a new member of my Milestones plan, about seven weeks old during this first session, and I am so excited about working with this family in the next year. They were referred to me by some of my favorite clients, and we soon learned that not only do we go to the same church, but we also have some other connections through friends and my children’s school. It’s a God thing, I think.

It was a joy to meet George as well as his big sister, Stella. Look at how she adores him! She is going to be such a wonderful big sister!

Erin and Michael, I am thrilled to have met you, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to be your photographer this year. I love the way God works.

I loved that little tongue sticking out! So cute!!

Such a sweet big sister!

Congratulations, Tiffany L! She won a $50 gift certificate by working late … er, I mean … catching me not blogging. She posted her comment at 12:02 a.m. after I missed yesterday’s blog post. Ok, truth be told, I remembered the blog post about 9:30 last night, but I was already in my fuzzy pjs, bundled up under the down comforter, and watching last season’s Lost finale on Netflix. (Who else out there is counting down the minutes until the Lost season premiere tonight???!!) So rather than actually get out of my toasty warm bed to go to my computer at that point, I opted to just skip the blog post and see who would be missing out on sleep to post the first comment. Tiffany was on the ball!

The contest continues … I still must strive to post on the blog every day until February 22. Keep reading, my friends!

Now, back to editing. Today I am working on Samantha’s one year portraits. This sweet girl is graduating from my Milestones plan, during which we captured her first year in portraits. Just as when we worked together for her big sister’s first year in portraits, working with Samantha’s family this year has been such a joy. They are some of the friendliest people I know. Sam is such a photogenic baby and so full of life. Like my daughter who is also a third child, she knows how to win the attention in the room. I loved seeing her toddle around at our session. She wasn’t too keen on heading outdoors during her session, but finally with the help of the rocking horse, we found some smiles.

Christian and Deryck, thank you for sharing Sam’s first year with me, and Layla’s, too! I have truly enjoyed every one of our sessions together. I’m going to miss seeing you every few months!

Much love,
Shannon

Darling Hayden is one year old! We held the third of Hayden’s Milestones sessions before Christmas, and hers was one of the sessions I didn’t get a chance to share back then. Hayden’s big sister Haley was a Milestones client as well. It is so fun to see how these sisters have each grown and changed over the years. I also love how well their Mommy coordinates their clothes at each session. Both girls had alternating themes of light green and lavender at their sessions, and you should see how perfectly their first year portraits coordinate with their rooms at home.

Happy Birthday, sweet girl! Give your big sister a hug for me!

Much love,
Shannon

P.S. My thanks go out to my friend, La, who told me about a cool feature which I just added to my blog. Now at the end of each post, the blog will automatically include a few links to other posts on similar topics, based on the content, title, and tags I add to the posts. It will take a little while to build the full database of posts, especially since this blog is a few years old, so check in later this week to see the suggestions grow in variety. I’ll be curious myself to see what memories from the past might pop up. Have fun exploring!

What other kinds of things would you like to see on my blog? Feel free to send me your ideas and suggestions!

P.P.S. – Looking for a Spring Portrait Session? The Availability page is now updated here. Contact us to reserve your session for March and beyond.

It’s hard to believe that Bryce was a bump in his mommy’s tummy when I met him! How this year has flown by! Since his first “real” portrait session as a newborn, and though each of his Milestones sessions through the year, he has grown into such an amazing and adorable little guy. All smiles and laughs, and always with a twinkle in those big brown eyes.

The very last image on this post is certainly my favorite from the session, and may be one of my favorite images this year. Little Elsie’s world has changed dramatically since the arrival of her two-legged baby brother, but I understand she has taken it all in stride. I hope they can be good friends for years to come.

Brett and Mandy, sharing Bryce’s first year with you has been a true joy. Thank you for welcoming me into your home and allowing me to share these special moments in your lives as your photographer.