Shannon Holden Photography

I recently met five darling princesses and I thought you might like to meet them, too. Though rain clouds loomed and thunder grumbled in the distance, we seemed to be under a magical umbrella for our Fairytale Portrait sessions! We experienced only one very brief rain shower as we wrapped up one session and were preparing for the next. And then, as if erased by our Fairy Godmother’s wand, the rain disappeared and the sunlight came through! I have heard that it poured that night in other parts of Atlanta, so it seems we were truly under a magical spell.

I’ve only just begun editing these sessions, so I only have a few to share so far. But I know the moms and dads are so anxious for a sneak peek! All of our little royal children did a beautiful job at their sessions. I hope they loved their time spent in their own personal Fairytale.

A special thanks to Heather Lickliter of Stylized Portraiture in Athens, Georgia for sharing her incredible princess gowns and joining us for these special sessions. It was a ball!

Much love,
Shannon

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!

They are the reason I am who I am today.

These three have taught me what life is all about. They have shown me the miracles God can create and the unconditional love with which he can fill our lives. When I look at them, I feel indescribable peace and purpose. They are the reason I giggle and the reason I cry, the reason I still feel young and the reason I can stop and soak up a moment of laughter.

They are the reason I am a photographer, because they are my muse, the reason I pick up my camera even when I think I don’t have an ounce of energy left. They are the reason I work, because my career has helped me be a better parent, and because my income helps us make some of the choices we have made for them.

They are also the reason I am taking some time off soon. Yesterday was my middle son’s 6th birthday. In his eyes, I see a glimpse of the man he will become, and I know that will happen all too quickly. I’ve worked a lot this summer, more than I intended to (though I can’t complain … I’m thankful to be busy!), and I don’t want to miss out on any of those childhood memories. Because next year he will be seven and his brother will be nine. In a blink, he’ll be sixteen, and he won’t be interested in backyard games with the water hose, or bubbles, or snuggling with his sister to watch fireworks.

So, I’m taking some time off at end of this summer. Don’t worry … the appointments on my calendar already aren’t going anywhere! I will keep those as planned. But by the grace of God, I ended up with about 3 weeks session-free right before school starts. When I studied my calendar and saw the gap, I was delighted. Those three weeks will belong to my children and no one else. It will be the perfect break for me before the chaos of the holiday portrait season begins. I’m going to sit in a lounge chair poolside and watch them splash. I’m going to chase fireflies with my kids. I’m going to lay next to them in the grass and watch the clouds float overhead. I’m going to take them to the park and the zoo, and I’m going to snuggle with them on the couch and do nothing.

So, my calendar is officially closed for the rest of the summer. Sessions for September and beyond are available, though going fast! October is almost booked. Call me soon if you want to reserve a spot for holiday portraits. The last holiday session available will be November 1.

That is the question in my head right now. Answer: Yes, I will. I think I can. I think I can. It’s November, so the light has appeared at the end of the tunnel! September and October are crazy every year in the portrait world. November brings a sigh of relief as my holiday sessions slow down, the cards get designed, and the orders get printed and delivered. By this time of year, I have an unusually strong sense of accomplishment when I just mark one thing off the to-do list. Until I look at the rest of the list. One down … 452 items to go.

And what I find particularly ironic is that at this session, my friend and client asked me how the season was going. I jinxed myself by answering that was actually not as stressed as I was in years past, and I wasn’t even very far behind on my workflow. That day was the last day I felt that way.

This beautiful family belongs to one of my dearest friends from college. I’ve had the pleasure of photographing her adorable daughters before, and they just get sweeter every time I see them. I love their dark hair and dark eyes, which sparkle light the evening sunlight on a lake. And their relationship is even more beautiful.