I’m talking about the gift that keeps on giving…the gift of photography!!! Maybe you can’t figure out a gift to get that friend who seems to have “everything”…or maybe you’re a man and need a quick and easy idea (that’s a joke..ha). Either way, you have it made when you purchase them a gift certifcate from Shannon J. Dodge Photography! For a limited time only, when you purchase a gift certificate worth $100.00 or more, YOU receive a $50.00 print credit for yourself! It’s a win win situation! (Gift certificates start at $75.00). If you’re interested in purchasing one, please email or call me!

I am venturing into the world of seniors…and I like it! It’s a bit easier to photograph a stationary target who takes directions. Kory is such a polite young man (I guess I am getting old to call somebody a “young man”!) and is going places…UK (University of Kentucky) to be exact! Congratulations, Kory!

I am completely booked for the holidays. I have a few select openings in December, but I cannot guarantee delivery for the holidays. I am already booking into 2010 so if you are interested in booking a session, please contact me!

This post is a very special one. Meet Rielyn–a very sweet, special (and busy!) baby girl! Rielyn has profound hearing loss–this means she most likely hears nothing. Several months shy of her first birthday, Rielyn’s mom and dad noticed that she was not responding to noises or verbal communication as she should, and sure enough, tests confirmed their fears. The awesome news is that Rielyn is a candidate for cochlear implants! The bad news? Insurance will pay for only ONE. The estimated cost for the other is anywhere between $45,000.00 to $80,000.00. Outrageous!

I wanted to do a photoshoot of Rielyn to capture her sweet little smile and show the world that this is profound hearing loss looks like. You can’t see it or touch it, but it exists. Imagine going through life not being able to hear music, laughter, your mother or father or siblings’ voices. The purpose of this blog post is to raise awareness regarding profound hearing loss, tell Rielyn’s story and spread the word about a charity event being held in her honor.

If you are local, please consider attending this entertaining event presented by H.A.N.D.S. U.P.: Holiday Magic at Cape Harbour on Friday, November 20th from 7pm-10pm. There will be live entertainment, FREE pictures w/ Santa, an appearance by Miss US Continental, raffles etc. Admission is free, so please stop by and help raise some money for Rielyn! If you do not live locally and would like to make a donation (any little bit helps!) OR learn more about Rielyn, please visit her website.

And without further adieu, here is sweet Rielyn!

I’d love to know what she is thinking here! Notice the tongue…

And the tongue again…

And yet again!

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice…these adorable girls were all that and more! Mom was really into the “girly” accessories and had so much fun dressing them up! They had a tea party, danced, played with snails…wait…that’s not very girly! They were so much fun.

Claire is the big sister, and she’s SO sweet, polite and smart. She is so mature and says the funniest things! Her birthday was the day after this shoot!

Jillian is a HOOT. She is such a funny baby! Talk about smart…she sings her ABC’s, counts past 10, sings Happy Birthday and other songs (ON KEY)…all at the ripe old age of 16 months. SUPER BABY!

Thanks for letting me come and play with you, girls!! Proofs coming soon, Mom.

A little Bread, anybody? Ok…I’m dating myself.

Portraiture doesn’t always have to involve a toothy, fake grin…or a pose…sometimes the BEST photos are those that convey emotion or tell a story.

I LOVE to photograph hands and feet. Really. I know it sounds odd, but I just think they are so interesting and make for wonderful art!

This picture reminds me of how it feels to be on the beach…sand on your feet, between your toes, in your hair, in your mouth…ok…so sand can be messy! But it can also be fun…I love sandy feet!!!

This photo is so emotional. It depicts the dichotomy of old and young. They are both so different, yet can be so fragile.

I love this next one. It’s beautiful but there is something mystical about it! This client just ordered this beautiful image in a 24×36 gallery portrait…I can’t wait to see it that big!

This is what separates custom portraiture from the run of the mill “portrait” studios. Tiny details, emotion captured, custom images!

Keep in mind, for your next shoot, those important details you wish to capture!

It doesn’t get much cuter than this! Mom wanted to do a mini shoot for sweet Lila to document some of those 6-7 month milestones…you know…chubby legs, little hands, baby teeth…I could just eat her up!! She is SO full of expression!

sweet.soft.cuddly.bendable.loveable.huggable.NEWBORNS! Love them! This is the newborn I’ve been waiting for from THIS post. I am willing to bet my wait wasn’t quite as painfully long as mom and dad’s wait!

Congratulations Todd and Amber, she is just BEAUTIFUL!

I have had quite a few clients ask about holiday card design samples…here are just a few!

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If you’ve had a recent session with me–it doesn’t have to be a holiday mini session–please let me know if you’d like holiday cards. They are press printed on a heavy card stock, and are available in a matte, glossy or metallic finish. Best of all…they are custom designed for YOU! This means that you choose the design you want and the image(s) you’d like on the card!

Twins!!! I was SO excited to be photographing my first set of twins. I loved editing this session and had a VERY hard time narrowing them down so I could choose my favorites…so I didn’t and posted all of my favorites!

Multiples intrigue me…especially when they are identical! These twin beauties were SO sweet and easy going! We had a fun mini shoot and got some gorgeous shots.

They are so much alike…yet so different.

Thank you girls! I hope to have the privilege of photographing you again sometime soon!