Monthly Archives: March 2009

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We’re Expecting!!!!!!!!!

March 31, 2009 – 7:41 am

Ha ha!  Gotcha!  Well, we are kind of expecting, not me, but the newest baby Walton will be here shortly.  My brother-in-law and his wife are due in April and I cannot tell you how excited we are!!  I can’t wait to get my hands (and camera) on this baby!!  I have been told I will have to wait in line as there are many who are anxiously waiting his/her arrival.  They didn’t find out the sex of the baby, but will say that my Emma is sure it’s a girl!  They have waited for this for a long time and am so, so happy for them.  They have been so good to my kids, Scott managed to spoil them even from 3 hours away and Courtney just sweetened the deal when they got married.  I am very much looking forward to returning their kindness. 

They have had a few hiccups during this pregnancy but will say Courtney has really been a trooper.  They are going to be such great parents and can’t wait to witness it.  We love you both!

Here are a few snapshots from the shower…

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By Shannon | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (3)

Don’t Forget!

March 27, 2009 – 7:17 am

I’ll be at Glendale School tomorrow (Sat.)!!  Please see post below (Mark your calendars!)

Ahhh, 2 year olds!  Busy, busy little 2 year olds!  I was so thankful it was warm enough to venture outside during our session.  What a doll!  I think his dad is thinking I’m going to post a shot I took while testing my light, but while I was setting up the camera for our outdoor images I looked over and saw this…..

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Well, I wasn’t totally ready with my camera settings because I wasn’t planning on shooting in the harsh light in their backyard.  Dad is in focus but the little guy isn’t.  Even though the lights not the best and the image isn’t perfect I thought it was fun and photography is about capturing the moment and the memories and I think this is a good example of both!

Happy 2nd birthday “B”!  It was a pleasure to meet you and your family!!  I will add you to my list of favorite clients simply because you are Cub fans!!

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By Shannon | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (1)

Sherry, you may want to grab some tissue!

March 23, 2009 – 9:57 am

I have a feeling you may get a little teary seeing how much little “E” has grown in 1 year! 

Remember, my little stethoscope baby.  Well, he’s one now!  Mom had the stethoscope ready and I brought a canvas I’ve had displayed in my office since his newborn images.  Every one of her kids are just absolutely gorgeous and their mom is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met.  I’m looking forward to photographing the whole gang this summer.

Little “E” then….

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and now…

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By Shannon | Posted in Children, Kids, babies | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (5)

How did I ever get so lucky?

March 22, 2009 – 10:37 pm

I was looking through the images I took of Emma the other day and came across these two.  Emma wanted her daddy to sit with her so I took the opportunity to snap a couple of them together.  I have to tell you that this thing, this business, this career, this amazing experience of being a children’s photographer started with him.  He encouraged me from the very beginning.  He keeps me organized, keeps my files backed up, loads software, he is my technical guru.  He is my prop finder.  He found the limb for Emma’s valentines, climbed several trees to find the branch for the newborn images, he helped our friends load and haul a full size couch to a field and then waited on stand by to come pick it up again.  He is my light tester.  He will let me practice new lighting and posing whenever I ask.  If I’m trying something new he is always willing to give up an afternoon scouting a new location or testing some idea….always. 

If I say, “Boy, I’d like to have that new camera, or wouldn’t that new lens be awesome,” the next day I’ll have e-mails from him showing me the best place to get it or some deal he found while searching. 

He’s and incredible dad!  We have been married for almost 13 years now and he makes me laugh EVERY DAY!  I’m thankful that God allowed us to find each other because I can’t imagine my life without him in it.

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By Shannon | Posted in Mine | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (2)

Mark your calendars!!!!!

March 20, 2009 – 7:20 pm

I am doing a display at the Glendale School Craft and Home Party Vendor Show!!

Where: Glendale School

1000 Bloomington Road

East Peoria

When: Saturday, March 28th

Hours: 10:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m

Lunch will be available for purchase along with lots of great vendors including yours truly and my friend Jill from j.doodle designs.

I am super excited!!!  I’ve ordered many new samples to display including canvas, metallics, books, cards, and so on.

If you book your session at the show for the month of April or June 2009 I am offering a complimentary 8×10 and sheet of wallets.    The special is only good if you book at the show.  I am also going to have a drawing to win a gift card from a children’s store (just haven’t picked which one)  This is a great chance for you see all our products and I would love to see you! 

I think I’ll ask Colleen to join me and maybe she will sing for us.  If you have followed the blog for awhile you know she is such a great singer and I think her talent will really get us some attention at the show!  Whoever thinks Colleen should sing please post a comment!  lol…she is going to kill me!!

By Shannon | Posted in Info | Comments (6)

Books!

March 20, 2009 – 6:48 pm

I love designing books.  Each one custom, each one telling your child’s unique story.  I just put together a first year story book for one of my  little clients.  It was really cool to see how much she had grown in just one year as you turned each page.  I have clients who do a book for each session.  What a keepsake! I know I haven’t been so good about updating Emma’s baby book and would have loved to of had one for her first year.  Maybe that can be my winter project!!!

We can include quotes, things they say, messages from you to them, the options are endless.  I decided to photograph this book when it came in so you could see it.

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We also offer 5×5 brag books which are perfect for putting in your handbag and showing off your little ones to family and friends.

By Shannon | Posted in Children, Designs, Kids, babies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (3)

Spring is coming…

March 18, 2009 – 9:59 pm

so I thought I’d get out and practice.  I cannot wait for outdoor sessions, this warmer weather really has me itching to shoot outside!!  I love it that I have a built in model.  The first image is her model pose.  If you ask her to model, this is what she does.  The other day she rolled out the whole roll of aluminum foil for her runway and strutted down it wearing her pink heels and green leggings.  Pretty darn cute.  She picked the hat.  I think it’s cute even though it didn’t match perfectly and if she’s willing to let me photograph her I’m willing to let her wear just about whatever she wants.   She calls it her cow hat and it’s almost too small.  I have some updates coming in the next day or two and I took images of a book that a client ordered I’d like to share. 

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By Shannon | Posted in Children, Kids, Mine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (4)

I’m Back!!

March 13, 2009 – 3:21 pm

We just got back from a photography workshop in Michigan.  I had a blast.  It was great meeting some fellow photographers and learning tons of new things!  Believe it or not I didn’t photograph one child during this workshop!  I decided it was time to step out of my comfort zone.  I feel most comfortable with kids and it truly is what I love to do, but must admit it was fun working with adult models.  I will share some images from the workshop soon.  I think it’s so important to constantly be pushing myself to take my images to the next level.  

I shot this lovely little lady before we left and I know her mom is patiently waiting her sneak peek.  I first photographed “J” when she was a newborn.  She was a BEAUTIFUL baby…just beautiful.  Well, not much has changed since then because as you can see she is simply adorable!  Her mom brought everything you see, right down to the marshmallows for sugar cubes (so clever).  What is more impressive is she put all of these things away for quite some time so that when we shot her session all the props would be new to her.  Way to go mom!!

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By Shannon | Posted in Kids, babies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (3)

Updates

March 7, 2009 – 9:21 pm

I will be out of the office from Sunday-Wednesday.  I will have limited access to voicemail and e-mail.  I will try to check e-mail as often as possible but it may take me a bit longer to get back to you.  Thank you!

Also, July is completely booked.  Thank you to everyone who has reserved their session for 2009.  If you are waiting or considering a session with us this year it really is best to book early.  May, August and September only have a few remaining spots.  Again, I appreciate all of my repeat clients and look forward to meeting many new ones this year as well.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Shannon

By Shannon | Posted in Info | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

He made us work for it!!

March 4, 2009 – 8:40 am

When I arrived to this little ones session he grinned at me and instantly I saw an adorable little dimple.  Well as soon as the camera went in front of my face **POOF**  it was gone.  So our mission became capturing the elusive dimple.  Now, I bet your pretty excited now to see this said dimple but I’m saving it for the gallery!!  Ha!  Even without the dimple he is pretty darn cute.   He fell asleep for a bit in daddy’s arms so I took advantage.  I love sleeping babies and there is no safer place in my opinion than in daddy’s arms.   He woke up and then we did some with his beautiful momma!  Here’s hoping your colicky days are over “H” family and thank you for letting me spend the afternoon with you!blog13

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I love how his foot is on his dad’s thumb.  So tiny!

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Look how he is holding his hand…how sweet is that?!

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I’m not sure it gets any more comfy than this. 

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and the stare I love so much!!

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By Shannon | Posted in Children, Kids, babies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (5)