Shannon Walton Photography » East Peoria newborn photography

Valentine Fun ~ Illinois Child Photographer

Shannon — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:16:13 +0000

I have to apologize because I had intended to do a Valentine mini session and had so many newborns born this month that I didn’t have time. I’m behind a bit on designing birth announcements and proofing sessions because of the recent baby boom and just felt it wasn’t fair to my clients to add to the work load. It drives me crazy when people have to wait, I’m not a patient waiter myself Anyway, I bought this frame at the end of December with the idea to do this for Valentines day. I had seen a cute shot I believe on pinterest (the kisses set up) and wanted to try a few other things I came up with after the kisses inspiration. I love finding inspiration for images all around me, I really don’t like copying something exactly as I see it, but to use it to come up with my own ideas. I asked one of my clients who comes every few months to have me photograph her boys if she’d be interested in letting me try the setups during her session. Can I just say that for a last minute request she did not disappoint with the outfit selections. I told her she’d never be able to do a mini session because she brings too many adorable options!! I love these boys. They have become like family I see them so much. I even asked if it would be okay for Emma to come for their session because she has been begging to help me. She did such a great job and think the boys had fun hanging out with her.

Little Miss Serious!

Shannon — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:44:23 +0000

I’m pretty sure I pulled out every trick in my hat to get this little beauty to flash those toothless gums. She just stared at me with those big beautiful eyes for pretty much our entire time together. I was interesting apparently, just not funny! We did manage to get a few smiles, but even still those eyes and cheeks are pretty much perfect grin or no grin! I loved her momma, what a pleasure working with these two and hope to see them for many more (smiley) sessions in the future!

Illinois Child Photographer ~ Simply Adorable

Shannon — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:34:26 +0000

Is it really possible to be this cute? How can so much cuteness be rolled into one little boy? How on earth will his parents ever look at this face and those eyes and tell him anything but YES? What is even more amazing is that his big brother is just as unbelievably adorable! One of my favorite little guys, at one of my very favorite ages (9 months)….

Mom mentioned she’d love to have one shot of his first little tooth popping through. Mission accomplished!

What did I tell you! I just want to eat them they are so cute!

Brothers and Laughter.

Shannon — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:53:25 +0000

I recently photographed these two with their little sister. I have a bunch of images to share from this session once mom has seen all of them. While I was proofing their images I came across this one. There is a quote that reads something along the lines of “laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” So true The three of them reminded me so much of my 3, especially the two big brothers. When I saw this photo I instantly thought of a similar image I have of my boys from a couple years back. It has been hanging on my wall until recently when we painted and prompted me to get it back up. It is one of my all time favorites and makes me smile every time I look at it. They aren’t looking at me, perfectly posed but I can almost hear the laughter when I look at each one of these. I don’t expect your kids to sit still like statues during our session together, in fact, my favorite sessions are the ones when my little clients feel comfortable enough to have some fun and most of all be themselves

Congratulations to Cori Roberts and Kristen D’Alfonso! You are the winners of a complimentary session and (25) holiday cards. Please e-mail shannon@shannonwalton.net to set up your November session! Thanks so much to all of you for posting your comments!! Have a great weekend!

Where I started…

Shannon — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:32:15 +0000

Those of you who have been following me and my work for awhile now will most likely recognize one of the beauties in this post. I have been photographing her since I started. This family changed the way I thought my business would go. They changed the way I thought of photographing kids and families. I’m thankful they were one of the very first clients because it’s a session that I think about often and am continually reminded why I do what I do. During that very first session I drove to their home. Mom had planned a tea party for her daughter and I sat back and watched (and snapped) the connection unfold. I FELT the love shared by this family. It was an amazing experience to witness and capture with my camera. I left there thinking, that is what I want from every session. I want to “Capture the Spirit of Childhood.” Those tea party images are still hanging on their wall and while I’ve grown as a photographer in both business and skills I’m reminded how important what I do is. I’m reminded that I am responsible for preserving these memories for a lifetime. So for those of you who choose me as your photographer, I’m grateful. Fast forward to 2011, the “G” family now has a new daughter and little Miss “M” has a sister. I recently photographed them together and had so much fun seeing this new connection in their family. I have so many clients who have become dear friends. I have so many kids I have watched grow and each time one of them walk in the door I’m grateful to be a small part of their lives. Now that I’ve gotten all sappy let’s proceed with some photos, shall we?

Couple things…

Shannon — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 22:51:51 +0000

Tonight is date night with my daughter. We’ll be doing a little shopping, eating and with any luck belly laughs will also be shared. There are a couple things I’ve been meaning to post about so I’m going to try to make it short and sweet because remember I have some belly laughing to do. I get e-mails almost daily from photographers and aspiring photographers asking me questions about photography, business, where I get my props and so on. While I’m flattered to have inspired others I just don’t have the time to answer every one. In a perfect world I could take the time to sit down and answer every question in detail but right now keeping up with my clients and my family is all I can handle. The world wide web is a wonderful thing and you can find pretty much anything you take the time to search for. I will tell you that I shoot manual 100% of the time when photographing clients. There is no luck involved in the creation of my images. Well, sometimes I get lucky with a killer expression or a pose that one of my little clients create themselves, but I choose the settings, lighting, background, posing, ect. I know my camera, I know my lights, I know the rules of composition. I have even gotten really good at anticipating those killer moments, in fact, when my photographer friends were here I was photographing a newborn and said to them, “mark my words, we are about to get a smile!” Sure enough within seconds our little baby was grinning from ear to ear I will admit that when I first started my shots were mostly luck. I couldn’t stand the feeling of not being in control and knowing I was going to be able to deliver fantastic images every single time so I have spent the last 6 years continuing to learn and develop my skill. Another thing to consider is not only the photography aspect of being a photographer, but the business aspect also. It’s not always easy running your own business. I could certainly do without the business part of business but in order to succeed and plan for the future I have to devote just as much, if not more, to that part of being a photographer. Having a business plan, insurance, studio policies and paying taxes are just as important as knowing how to take a great photo.

The second thing I’d like to chat about for a second also has to do with e-mails I receive. I get so many great e-mails, facebook messages, even hand written notes from clients thanking me for their experience. I would like to create a testimonial link here on the blog. If you’d like to write a testimonial I sure would appreciate it! You can send them through the contact link above. 95% of my clients come from referrals…that is pretty awesome! I would love to share some of those experiences with my potential clients so if you have the time I would greatly appreciate it

Have a great weekend everyone!
Let the belly laughing BEGIN!!

Sweet Rides and Tough Guys!

Shannon — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 21:25:11 +0000

The inspiration for this mini session came from 2 images actually. My all time favorite shot of my boys together and another little fella which still makes my heart melt every time I look at it. The image of my boys has been hanging on my wall for several years now. It will hang somewhere in my home until my grand kids are old enough to do this shot

my boys…

little heart melter…

My latest little model and quite the tough guy himself…

These sessions are not 20 minute sessions. They are 45 minute sessions, therefore space is limited. Please send me an e-mail if you’d like to book and I will send a PayPal invoice for $85 to the e-mail you specify. Once I receive payment we will set up a time. I cannot reserve time slots without payment. You also do not have to have a PayPal account to pay via PayPal but if you do have an account already set up please send me that e-mail address when you e-mail to reserve your spot. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t text me. I prefer to have the e-mails all together and it will help me keep things coordinated and the order in which people booked. My E-mail is shannonwalton@sbcglobal.net

If we fill up Sat. I will open up times on Sunday. The 11×14 image will be printed on metallic paper which is awesome for metal and high contrast images. Bikes, trikes, petal cars, skateboards, look awesome on metallic. The image I have of my boys is a metallic gallery wrap. You do not have to have it printed this way, but highly recommend it for this session

Here is the rest of the info you need to know….

I couldn’t resist :)

Shannon — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 22:11:32 +0000

This is Myla and she sits under my lilac bush quite often. The combination of the snow and her cute little face was just too much not to get a shot. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!! Thank you for a fantastic 2010!!

Fly.

Shannon — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 17:17:39 +0000

This could be one of my FAVORITE flying photos ever To go right along with my fave flying photo, this is one of my fave family photos from this session!

Oh and just so you know, navy and orange is now my favorite combo for family photos

More of the “V” family

Shannon — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 20:35:23 +0000

I’ve been photographing them for a LONG time Their kids know me, feel comfortable with me. Building a relationship with your photographer is a great way to get relaxed, fun images. Not to mention when everyone feels comfortable it will show in your photos. That photographer doesn’t have to be me, but if you find one who’s work you love, who works well with with your family, the images can only get better in my opinion. For my clients, I get to know their personalities, what they like, what makes them laugh, and even how they like me to shoot. I’m familiar with what they typically order and need for their homes and plan the session accordingly. I have many, many families who I see on a regular basis. It’s THE main reason I have stayed busy. Combine that with so many who refer their friends, which in my opinion is THE best form of advertising (a happy client telling another) and you have a successful studio/client relationship Now onto the “V” family…