A Moment Captured Photography

{baby wyatt}

sweet baby wyatt will be having his first surgery today at ACH to begin the repair of his little heart.  please pray for the entire family as this is such a shocking and trying time.   let's just surround them.....

{refreshed}

and READY to go!!!!

The last 6 weeks have been a blurred whirlwind.   In the midst of two huge losses to our family, throw in a calendar full of MD appointments, a little surgery (surgery good, anesthesia not so good), and a much, much needed vacation with my little family and dear, sweet friends.......I made some big decisions.  That was after alot of soul-searching, prayer and watching the majesty of the ocean waves.  That always helps. ;)

I looked at last years calendar before I left; I'm not certain how I survived that actually?  It was a wonderful year, but, I definitely stretched myself.  I knew through the scheduling this year, particularly for the season approaching that changes had to be made.  I was afraid they would have to be drastic.  Well, tweaks will be made, but, nothing drastic - I'm very happy to say.   

I love this.  I love everything I see behind the lense.  I love meeting the families and developing unbelievable friendships.  I love seeing your face when you see your prints.  I love hearing your tear-filled voice when you call me while viewing your proofs.  I love the notes.  I love the giggles, dirt and tears from the little ones.  But, most of all, I love giving your family captured details that will last throughout the years to come.   

Although he was an uncle 'by marriage',  Scott and I have been together since high school....so, through the years he very much became my uncle.  I truly loved him so much.  I had thankfully taken his family pictures, something that had been in the works since last fall, but delays from weather and schedules had prevented it until just before his death.  On Father's Day, we took those long-awaited pictures.  I grieved so much because although he saw the sneak peek, he never had the chance to have the prints.   Well, my office is filled with those prints for his children and now, I am incredibly happy we have them.  That is why I do this.  That is why I love this so much.  Without a doubt, my own dad's death when I was a teenager definitely lent to this overwhelming need to capture it all for you.  That family picture (albeit a poor family picture, but the only one I have) is a true treasure to me.   I don't want this to be morbid in any manner - because when I photograph my own children it is because I want to remember each moment; I want to give that to you.

Although my schedule will be more realistic from now on so, I survive, my family and work can stay balanced and I can give you my utmost attention - I am at peace with my new plan......and, am eager to jump back in full force!   

So, today is my birthday.  As a happy birthday to me.........but, ultimately a gift to you as well......I basically turned over my  business account and upgraded all of the equipment!!!!  So, so excited.  Although I had great equipment and top[ of the line lenses - I now have "bigger and better".   My arsenal is very, very well-equipped to quick off this new fall portrait and wedding season.   I'm so excited!!  Have I told you that?  There is nothing more I would want in my bag(s).  Let's just say, I now have an incredible back-up to the back-up, thanks to the newest camera edition and lenses that will blow you away!   That is how important this is to me......to give you my very, very best!

Also...the new wedding only website is FINALLY about to launch as well as a new, improved blog!  

I am tediously working through a long list of return calls, emails, wedding inquires, date change requests, portrait requests, etc.  If you are among that group, I will talk to you very soon.

Thanks to everyone for being so understanding over the past several weeks.  The clouds are lifting a bit, I am super-refreshed and just so thankful.....let me leave you with this.....

 

  

Hope everyone had a wonderful summer!! 

{status update}

I will be away from my desk until at least Wednesday.  Angela will be checking my emails/messages and returning them.   I have completed several galleries that are either in the queue or set to be loaded.  Also, the new Wedding Site is RE-scheduled to launch this week and a certain May wedding is now scheduled to be the one that makes that debut!  We will email/call you as this slew up galleries go live.  

 

{broken heart}

Without giving any details, I just learned that a very special "friend" who I met through several photography sessions has a very dear family member who has been diagnosed with cancer.  I have absolutely fallen in love with this family.  The only reason I post this is to ask for your prayers for this entire family.  I sit here stunned and absolutely broken-hearted.      

{update}

the blog is in desperate need of an update.  and, I am making this post prior to a flurry of activity including....catching up on sneak peeks, new AMC announcements/information and scheduling.

The last few days have been incredibly indescribable.   I had to take an unexpected out-of-town business trip.  And, while I was gone tragedy clearly struck.  As soon as I returned, dropped my bags and scooped up my boys, I was informed that my sweet cousin - one that we had all been ecstatic for - had gone into labor (full term twins) while I was away and in a huge shock to everyone who raced to the hospital in anticipation for the birth of Isabella and Gracie, quickly learned that one was lost....Isabella.    It is a heartsick time.  My thoughts, heart and prayers have been consumed by this turn of events.  

So, please keep everyone in your prayers.  As my cousin physically heals, she has a very, very difficult week ahead of her.  Complete heartbreak. 

If you have had a hard time reaching me, please do not hesitate to call/email.  Angela has helped me tremendously in trying to stay caught up re: responses, but, in case one has slipped through the cracks, please contact us. 

Shannon

{fall schedule}

It seems crazy to be typing an entry about fall portrait sessions and deadlines in the rainy, rainy, rainy days of spring, but, in looking at my calendar and remembering the marathon season last year - it is probably a good idea.  

I am currently booking September and October.  The last day for portrait sessions will be November 1, 2009.  Christmas cards and reorders from earlier sessions will also need to be placed by November 1, 2009.

Thank you so much for the opportunities you have given me to capture those sweet moments for your family; I never take it for granted and enjoy it completely.  In an effort to enjoy those precious moments with my little family, I wanted to establish the dates early in effort to provide you with enough time to plan & not catch so many of you by surprise.  I think last year caught all of us by surprise, me being at the top of the list!  

So, now I will get back to the reality of never-ending rain, rescheduling and..... rescheduling some more!  

Shannon

 

{weather report}

Well, pretty much every date I scheduled for the first three weeks of April and even the end of March had to be rescheduled due to the rain and sometimes twice over!  So, the games here are finally about to begin.  At least the forecast for the week is clear! And....the fields are greening up, flowered-up and drying up.  So, it's about to get busy around here. 

I'm almost afraid to type that.  Because as soon as I do, another monsoon will arrive.  

But, if you are on the rain-out list and have not received a confirmed date as of yet, know that I am working to get all of those in ASAP.  Thankfully, I had built in those extra days this year, but, trying to work with everyone's schedules can be a little tricky.    But, do not hesitate to call me with any questions at all.  And, a reminder:  you will likely be having contact from Angela who is helping me tremendously with AMC this season.  Super, super sweet and so thankful to have her!

Now for a funny:  I learned today that I am quite the famous photographer.  And, I didn't even know it. 

But, apparently, a sweet little conversation occurred today en route to a school destination.  From what I have been told, my name was mentioned in conversation and a cute little guy declared that I am a very famous photographer!  I think he's been chased around by me a time or two.  ;) Well, I'll take it where I can get it!  And, with raves like that - who needs accolades from any other source?   Priceless!  It has made me giggle all evening. ;)

{fyi: fall sessions booking}

I know we are not much into spring, but, fall sessions are booking quite rapidly.  Once again, I did not want this to catch anyone by surprise.  So, just a heads-up as one of the worst things with photography (although, it is a blessing too!) is an over-booked calendar.  

and, bridals of a stunning bride will be posted very, very soon!!  

you will get to see her beautiful face! 

  

{Giving is Awesome}

Although the technical details are being worked out, I have registered to partcipate in the program "Giving is Awesome" and am sooo excited.......

You know someone. You know someone who has experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it greatly. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience a complimentary custom photography -- in excess of $1000 worth, to be exact. It's within your power to give them the artwork they deserve.  

And, another great component? The person who nominates the winner receives a $200 credit.

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in Arkansas. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story : amomentcaptured@yahoo.com

The deadline for nomination is 4/30/09 and the winner will be announced on 5/15/09- get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.  Please forward this to your friends & get the word out!  This is not in any way a marketing ploy in ANY manner, but simply a very, very small way for me to give back. 

Also, on a different note - remember those families that have been touched by adoption as I am also a participating photographer in the Celebrating Adoption Program; something that is VERY near and dear to my heart.  I have 'newly formed' families on the calendar for this next season - send them on! 

Sincerely,

Shannon

AMC

{scheduling}

A quick post regarding the calendar as it is filling up so quickly,  and I don't want it to catch some of you by surprise.  Because it has me!  For family and child portrait sessions, I have 2 slots available in June and am booking into July.  I already have some Seniors, family sessions and weddings that have booked for fall.   Of course, I always try to incorporate weddings and maternity/newborn sessions in if at all possible and will continue to do so. 

For those of you that have sessions beginning in March - watch your email in the coming weeks as you will be receiving confirmations as well as the session start times based on the best lighting.  I have built in extra room this year to accommodate rain-outs in an attempt to avoid the longer wait periods that occurred last spring for those that had to be rescheduled.   

And last, but definitely not least - you may receive email responses/phone call returns from 'Angela' -who will be helping me with the items that do not require being behind the lens/editing.  She is super sweet & you will love her!  and, I am so blessed to have her help this year!  With a full and busy session schedule - this should speed the entire process along.   

Just send me an email if you have any questions! 

Shannon

ps - we are STILL all well, which is a miracle considering the past three months!