Shannon Holden Photography

And certainly after her big brothers’ portrait sessions, my daughter was not to be left out! She has definitely grown up with a camera pointed at her constantly, and she is quite used to it by now. The evening after the boys’ portraits, we had absolutely perfect light on the beach. It was gorgeous! My husband came along for this one, because our darling girl is quite a handful. She has a bright, silly, and spunky spirit. And she has the energy of Two 2 year olds.

I’ve said it before … I know I am biased because she is my daughter, but she takes my breath away.

People often ask me what is my favorite age to photograph. I can honestly say I don’t have a favorite. Each stage in a child’s life offers its own magic. I love newborn portraiture for the peacefulness, the awe of new life. I love babies for their innocence and curiousity. And I love toddlers for their sense of exploration, and their wonderful expressiveness. In just one session, I often get to see several sides of a little one’s personality. Their silly side … their serious, thoughtful side … their loving, gentle side.

No matter what age my subject might be, merely days old or ready to head off to college, I marvel at the individuality of each one. Each one is truly wonderfully made.

This young man just happens to be one of my favorite toddlers in Atlanta. He is my cousin’s son, and I love him to pieces. But even without the family tie, I would still enjoy his various expressions – he has so many! Happy Birthday, darling boy!

On a scheduling note, I am now booking sessions for the late summer and I will be opening my calendar very soon for Fall and holiday portraits. May and June are fully booked. There are just a few spots left for July. Call soon to reserve your session!

Hi Friends!

It’s been such a great week, having a little time off work to play with my kids during Spring Break. Tonight I relaxed with my hubby in the backyard while the kids scampered about. And then it hit me … that itch to have my camera in hand. I can hardly go more than a few days without the urge to photograph something.

You see, it was the yummy, yummy light! About 6:00 in the evening, with the warm Spring light filtering through the trees, reflecting off every blade of grass, every curl in my daughter’s hair. I just can’t resist the photography opportunity! I’m such a sucker for backlight.

So it triggered not just my photography craving, but an idea … I’m thinking about offering a special price on Sunset Sessions for a limited time. The sessions would take place around 6:00 in the evening, in the Roswell or Alpharetta area at a location of my suggestion, and would likely be limited in the number of subjects. First, I’d like to see what kind of interest is out there … so drop me a line, ok? You don’t have to commit. Just let me know if you love the idea and would consider a reservation. Once I see what kind of response I get, I’ll nail down the details on price and dates to be offered.

And yes, I gave into the craving tonight. I grabbed the pettiskirt, which conveniently matched the crocs she refused to take off her feet, and captured some of the exuberant toddlerhood in that delicious light. Gee, my girl doesn’t like being the center of attention, do you think?

I was sitting here at this same desk two years and two days ago, in this same chair, looking at a client’s session images on my computer screen. Another contraction, after weeks and weeks of them, barely caught my attention. When another came stronger just a couple minutes later, I suggested to my husband that we take the boys for a walk, hoping this might actually be real labor and maybe we could help it progress.

They rode in the double stroller as my husband pushed them along on the street, and I waddled along side, rubbing my aching enormous belly every few steps. One of our neighbors waved from his front porch with a smile. “You’re gonna need a bigger boat!” he called out with a snicker. An hour later, we were at the hospital. A few hours after that, our daughter let out her first cry.

And now, here I sit, looking again at my computer screen, at images of my daughter this afternoon, at her smile, her curls, her sapphire blue eyes, her long dark lashes, her pink painted toenails … how these years have gone by in a blink!

She just toddled in with strawberry scented hair wet from her bath, with yellow footy pj’s with a princess on the front, with those gigantic eyes sparkling at me. She squeezed my neck and kissed my cheek and said, “Nigh’nigh’ Mommy! I Yuv You!” In a blink, my baby girl is two.

These are not her official Two Year Portraits. I’ll get to those in a few weeks. Today just offered that irresistible combination of beautiful outdoor light, a playful, joyful toddler mood, and an afternoon without commitments. When I asked her if she’d like me to take some pictures of her, she giggled and said, “Yeah! Pictures! Erica pictures!” So how could I ever pass up that opportunity?

Let me say, we are going to have our hands full with this one. The supermodel posing is already an instinct for her. Oh boy!

As we headed inside from our portrait mini-session, Erica and her daddy passed through this amazing pool of light in our driveway. I had to make them stop for more photographs. I’m exhilarated when I find light like this, sparkling backlight with just the right reflection to illuminate the faces. Love it!!!!