Shannon Holden Photography

Elise is the beautiful daughter of some awesome friends of mine. We met nearly eighteen months ago, when we both joined a married couple’s Small Group at our church. Elise was born very soon after that, and I’ve had the privilege of creating her portraits a few times in her first year. She is now 15 months old, and growing more beautiful by the day. Elise has so many facets to her personality. She is quiet and curious, silly and playful, and always charming.

She was feeling just a tad bit shy on the day of our session, but she gave us some cute giggles when tickled. She’s walking now and she’s enjoying her mobility quite a lot. She loves her mommy and daddy so much, and likewise, they are quite smitten with her. I always enjoy seeing the bond within a family.

Josh and Trish, I am so thankful for our friendship, and thankful for the chance to be your photographer as well. We are blessed to have you in our lives.

Much love,
Shannon

P.S. Two more days of the blog contest! Thanks, Tiffany L, for being such a faithful reader, though I’m sorry you are having to work so many late night these days!! You’ve won another $50 portrait credit for catching my missed post yesterday. Truth be told, I was recovering from having 17 boys in my house for a pajama party for my son’s 9th birthday. I knew I hadn’t done the day’s blog post yet, but at 9:30, exhaustion took over and I was asleep!

It has been a year since I saw Hank for a portrait session, and when his mommy helped him out of the car, I hardly recognized him! Now two years old, he has changed from Baby to Kid! He was absolutely adorable for our session! He flashed an instant and precious smile every time I pointed my camera at him. Usually a two year old session involves me chasing a toddler all over a park, and getting lots of shots of the back of his head. But Hank was having a ball having his portrait made, and his parents and I couldn’t help but laugh at how much he enjoyed his modeling job.

Even at the end of our session, when we all thought he was “done” as we say, and as we were heading back toward our cars, Hank started saying, “More cheese!” (Now, please let me clarify that I do not encourage my subjects to “Say Cheese!” … so don’t even get that thought in your head!) It turns out “More Cheese” was Hank’s code for wanting more pictures. So he chose his own little spot to sit, and once again, flashed that picture perfect smile! I clicked away, and he even said, “One more time!” and smiled again!! I’m smiling as I type this, just remembering his cute little face. What an awesome subject he was!

As much as I enjoyed those joyful smiles, as I edited the session, I found that I loved many of his non-smiling portraits just as much. There is just something so captivating and heart-stirring about the innocence at age two, the curiosity, the depth of their souls in their eyes. Images like those truly move me as an artist.

Kevin, Heather, and Hank … it was wonderful to see you again. And Hank … keep smiling, handsome!