REMINDER!

If you wanted to nominate somebody for the Giving is Awesome promotion, please do so SOON! The deadline has been extended to December 31st! (instead of December 30th)

Giving is AWESOME!

PLEASE READ BELOW TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN GIVE THE WONDERFUL GIFT OF CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHY TO SOMEONE IN NEED!

You know someone. You know someone who's 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 this holiday season. 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 complimentary custom photography -- $500.00 worth, to be exact. Whether it's canvas or albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over-- it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $200.00 gift certificate from Shannon J. Dodge Photography. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be?

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 within the greater Fort Myers area (Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs etc...) . 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 by December 30th, 2008 : shannonjdodge@gmail.com.

The winner will be announced on New Years Eve -- so get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

Warmly,

Shannon

To learn more about the amazing giveaways, read more at www.givingisawesome.com

I am trying to play catch up with posting recent sessions on my blog! You may remember a while back when I was offering holiday mini sessions. The following images are from those mini sessions.

You may remember these little beauties...I had the pleasure of photographing Sadie as a newborn a few months ago. She and her sister Clara are so beautiful and sweet, I just love working with them!

Clara has the BEST facial expressions. She is so expressive!



I have worked with the following family a few times as well. I did little Bridget's newborn session last spring. It was one of my FIRST non-practice sessions and she was SO good for the entire session! I was also fortunate enough to capture some images of her at 6 months of age. Again, such a good baby! (oh boy, I just realized I never posted those! I told you I was behind!) We did this shoot on the beach (as you can tell!) and shew as so pleasant the entire time. She was happy to just eat some sand and chew on her foot!


Her brother Cameron is a hoot and has lots of energy. He really just wanted to run around! So we had to keep him contained...thank goodness they brought their wagon!


The next family is so photogenic. The kids are natural models. I can't believe the number of shots I got of the kids cooperating and smiling in a time period of maybe 20 minutes! They are lots of fun to work with. I was sad to see them move to Colorado. :(




Best of luck to you, Simeone family!

My Little Girl...

Is growing up so fast! She'll be 3 in just a few months. Sniff sniff...It's very difficult for me to get decent pictures of her these days (is this normal when you do photography for a living?), so I set today aside and bribed her with some M&Ms!




Peek...



A boo!









I think they worked pretty well...what do you think?

CA-UTE! {Estero Family Photographer}

This is one of the most adorable families I've EVER seen! Just take a look at this handsome bunch...









This is Tanner. I could just eat this kid up! He is such a peanut...






Check out the facial expression!

His brother Parker is a kick in the pants! He's so smart and super witty.

The Miracle of Life {Fort Myers Maternity and Newborn Photographer}

Pregnancy and birth still amaze me even though I understand it and see it all of the time...it's still a mystery to me! (and am experiencing it myself again!)

Here is Jennifer at 36 weeks:





And just four weeks later, Baby Sierra arrived weighing in at 9lb 9oz!!! AND she is 9 days old here:



Perfect newborn skin! Look at those squishy lips!

Mom and Dad are SO happy and proud!

Fun Family! {Fort Myers Family Photographer}

We had lots of fun with this shoot! I am friends w/ mom and dad and they are just a hoot. (ok, that wasn't meant to rhyme)

What goes up...



Must come down!







This one just melts my heart!

Beautiful Bride {Naples Wedding Photographer}

I had the privilege of working with this stunning young woman a week before her wedding. She is breathtaking and just as sweet as she is beautiful!







Stay tuned for her wedding pictures in a few weeks!

TWO times the fun! {Cape Coral Baby Photographer}

You may remember my niece Faith, and great nephew, Aidan. I've been doing photoshoots of them since they were newborns. The last one I did was when they were 3 months old. They have changed so much! They are at that fun age, where they are still not mobile, but are very interactive. Look how much they've changed!








The two of them were teething so much, there was drool everywhere and fists in mouths! They are just so beautiful, I want to eat them up!

CUTE CUTE CUTE! {Naples Family Photographer}

Working with this family was SUPER easy and a joy. First of all, they are all beautiful and photogenic. Second, and most importantly, they are outgoing and friendly. I walked in the house and the kids ran to me w/ a big smile! Made my day.

These two are so affectionate toward each other and Tyler is so gentle with his little sister! Check out this look on his face while she kisses him on the cheek...hee hee.




Little Caroline was happy the entire time I was there. She was so cooperative and smiley! Have you ever seen a 2 year old follow directions and pose for pictures?!??!






Two little monkeys jumping on the bed...


I hope you are enjoying your gallery, D family! Thank you for allowing me to capture your special moments. :)

Holiday Mini Sessions Almost Full

If you are interested in either of the mini sessions, please contact me ASAP as there are only a few slots available!

There Must Be Something in the Water...

Here is another fun maternity shoot! I have had quite a few lately...but you know what that means...NEWBORNS! Yay.



This mom was up for anything and had this great location in mind...why hadn't I shot here before? The outside shots were taken at Koreshan State Park in Estero. It's a beautiful park and it's history is quite interesting. Needless to say, I will be returning for future shoots!