This is Riley at six months old (on our baby plan). Her mom called me to take some images of her and her daddy. I think they turned out great! I believe she's going to have her daddy's blue eyes. You think?
And we got it! This week Dennis and I were able to sneak away for a couple of days to the beautiful, romantic city of Charleston, South Carolina, with its moss-draped oaks and grand antebellum history. We took a tour of downtown, which was picture-perfect…but can you believe I didn’t take my camera? Our tour guide was very interesting and informative. We had some much-needed time away from the everyday reality of home and work.
Before we got away on our mini-getaway, we got some great creative images of Brett, who has been on our Baby Plan almost since he was born. His first photo shoot with us was when he was a mere two weeks old! We snapped him again at three months and six months, and here’s the latest image of precious Brett at nine months:
Fun, fun, fun! How fast they grow. Brett’s last photo shoot on our Baby Plan will be in September around his first birthday. Mom and Dad will then receive a beautiful storyboard documenting Brett’s first year, which will include one image of their choice from each of Brett’s previous photo shoots, all for $95.00!
Make sure you don’t miss any of these precious moments of your little one’s first year. Space is limited, so call us early in your pregnancy to sign up and we’ll even throw in an extra photo shoot of your pregnancy for no extra cost! Call 912-826-4447 for details.
On March 12, 2009, my dad Dennis was scheduled for a labroscopy. We thought maybe he had appendicitis. But on this day we found out something no family wishes to hear. In that moment I think all I heard was the word Cancer. I tried to catch my breath. None. I fell into my mother's arms while we wept together. I remember wishing that if it would just go back to yesterday or just a moment ago when everything was fine. Tears rolled down the sunken faces in that room hoping that it would all go away. For the next ten days my family sat in the hospital...waiting, feeding ice chips to Dad, occasionally laughing because he was so funny on his morphine pump, and answering endless cell phone calls. There was certain moments that so many people touched me like when my brother embraced and just held me, or my first day back to school and a nurse at Eff hospital (where I had an intership for school) gave me a much needed hug, and how could I not forget all those delicious meals everyone brought by. We were very much loved. Yes we had the comfort of our heavenly father and honestly I don't know who else I could have turned to that completely understood as he.
The latter days of our stay at Memorial we were to find out that it was a type of rare cancer called Carcinoid Cancer. We are still awaiting treament (the end of July is our consultation date) because we must drive to Tampa, FL, to see one of the eight doctors who can treat this type of cancer. We will be doing experiamental drugs.
I just wanted to take the time and let y'all know what's going on. I also want to thank everyone for their prayers and simple deeds. We are also doing much better now. You wouldn't even be able to tell he's sick. We're getting back into the swing of normalniss(ok I made up that word) of life.
Daddy, I love you!
Much love guys,
Jillane Shuman
I know it has been two months since I last blogged, we had some family issues come up (which I will explain in a later blog). But I have had the chance to photograph some amazing families! Aren't they beautiful! Oh, how I love my job...
The first three images are the grandchildren of someone who used to work with me. They are such a special and beautiful family.
The little girl at the bottom her mom's business is SweetPeas (http://www.sweetpeasgiftshoppe.com/). It is an awesome gift shop in Rincon, well perhaps the only too!
Enjoy the sneak peeks everyone!
I just love these new valentine cards we are offering! They are so perfect! I thought I would share some oober cute kids for v-day. Little Miss Avery has so much personality. I love the one where she is cheesing it (3rd down picture). It just shows how adorable she really is. And Mr. Spencer is down at the bottom. Can you say photogenic!
Anyways sorry guys have been posting in a while! Life got quite busy. You know how that is!
I am so excited about the new year for business! You are going to be seeing some big changes throughout this year! Keep watching. I promise, It's coming!!
It's Christmas Eve already! I can't believe it's already here! Today was especially fun for my family because we are getting to play Santa. Miriam (my niece) is the only little one now. After we went to the Christmas Eve service, my family came to my house and we had dinner. We went outside with Miriam and you won't believe this but we saw Santa and his reindeer's in the sky! Of course, little Miriam missed him and his sleigh. I'm sure he will be be at her house though. I can't wait for tomorrow!
Tradition is a big part of Christmas. Even though my kids are 23 and 18 they still have no idea what they are getting. We don't even tell them what each other is getting! I love doing it this way! Keeps them on their feet at all times! Well, I wish y'all a Merry Christmas!! (Now, It's wrapping time : )
Another engagement means another great time downtown in Savannah. Their session definitely fell into that category. With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, a few weeks ago Broughton Street was shut down for the snow and ice day. It was perfect for a shot in the middle of the street! They look like they are so in love and nothing around them matters at the moment. A perfect shot with the kick of the leg and kiss! I am so glad I got to meet this sweet couple. I hope they have a fantastic wedding!
This is the "Yes dear, you're right." look.
I thought I would share a Christmas session from a few weeks ago. Little E. is so full of spunk and personality! She's so adorable and fun to photograph! We've been photographing her since she was a little baby. And now her parents are expecting a little brother or sister for her to play with! I was so thrilled to hear! They are so blessed! It's so amazing how God works to me... this couple was told they would never have any more children. Well surprise surprise hear comes baby! Congratulations A. family!!!
*Location: Truitt's Christmas Tree Farm
Anticipation was high, hearts were pounding, and I was crying. The moment my family saw Baby Miriam for the first time still makes me cry to this day. I remember running down the long restricted area that day and embracing my sister and her new child. What a moment! This is what memories and life is about! It was such a beautiful and indescribable day.
Gotcha Day is Miriam's "other" birthday." This is the day she came home last year! Wow! I can't believe we've had her that long. One whole year! I can't imagine life without her anymore! And what a wonderful change it has brought to our family for the good. God uses anyone, including babies.
I love how Miriam has began to blossom into one of the most Guatemalan/Mayan spiced girl around. Her talking is a laugh in itself... she says.... Coco (my son Cory's name), Momma (all the time), Uno dos tres, peas(please), O-kay, tank you, tick tick tickle, kit kit kity, Kickey and Issy (her dog and my dog), and the list goes on.
One particular story is quite funny, I must say. Well, we taught her how to say and play tickle tickle tickle. She must know that it melts our hearts and makes us laugh. And at daycare they learn all sorts of things.... Well, one day Miriam hits someone but before she can be reprimanded she trys to cover it up by playing tickle tickle tickle. These are the moments you just have to run to another room and die laughing!
And so here we are a year later with a jubilant two year old! Couldn't say that I was much more blessed! And Miriam we GOTCHA YA and are were NEVER letting go!
One year ago exactly this was taken!
We recently walked on Broughton Street. This is the fun we had...
Bee buggies from Savannah Bee Company
Nina and Peepaw (my Mom and Dad)
Silly Man : )
top: Cory and Dennis; Below: me and Mom
Cory and Jillane
I guess you could call us the White's family photographer. From Gavin to Avery to new baby Conley, I've seen them grow into the most beautiful family. They are just simply a joy and
pleasure to capture on camera. I can always expect to have a great time with them.
My whole family seemed to take part in this session. Dennis and Cory were there usual selves talking away to the family and Jillane and I did all the hard work of positioning and getting kids to smile. You could say that my family definitely loves to take pride and get involved in my work. It is a blessing to know they care so much.
From the Shuman House to the White House - We love you guys!!
This is her belly a few months ago....
Welcome Baby Conley
What a sweet French/Canadian couple they were! I just love their accents! They were so beautiful. Every so often during the session she say a couple of words in French to her husband. How sweet is that! I just love her round tummy! I can't wait to see the baby. She's sure to be a one-of-a-kind cutie! Enjoy...
I truly have a blast when it comes to engagements and seniors! Their so fun and willing to go anywhere! I love that! With this sweet couple, it turned out to be a cold and drizzley day. But we still decided to go with it. I thought the umbrellas would add character! We ended up at the Savannah Theater which happens to be where they use to attend church (LateChurch is now located at The Lucas Theatre http://www.savannahchristian.com/). We also headed down to a street with beautiful fall leaves and many other places. Enjoy y'all!
Yes, you may not believe it but I do have an employee besides my husband. Natalie has worked for us for about six years. She's the one who makes your order look absoutely beautiful. And now I want to announce her first grandchild, Brett! Featured here is her daughter Ashlynn and the new addition Brett.
Little Miss L. is one of a kind. We've been photgraphing her since she was in mommy's tummy. This spur of the moment session developed into some great pictures for christmas cards. I'm sure her mommy will be proud. She was such a pleasurable and fun baby to work with.
This is a traveling couple who had a reception in Savannah for the groom's side of the family and friends. J. and A. were married in another state (sorry forgot which one). They are in a ministry called LifeAction Ministries. The couple got married and were on the road again two weeks later. It was a blessing to see such a pure and sweet couple get married. All the best to you guys!
Yep, you got it I now am photographing rockstars. Never would have thought it right. Well, actually, I kinda already knew him. My son, Cory, and him used to play in a band together. But well now Mike Spice is a rockstar! He is the bass player for the band Love Like Gravity. Check out there myspace at http://profile.myspace.com/lovelikegravity.
This is definitely a fairy tale story. Hope you don't mind M. if I share.
M.'s sister one day was in a hardware store. She saw a cute man behind the counter. She got the nerve to ask him if he was single and he said yes. M.'s sister knew this was the man for her sister. After a chat they exchanged the phone numbers and well you get it, the rest is history! It is truly such a sweet and awesome story! All the best to you guys! Hope you find this sneek peek fun!!
Ok, I have to say what a fun bride to be this was! She was beautiful. These are her bridal pictures taken only 2 days before her wedding. Fits right in with her personality! Cindy was married this past weekend (the 4th). She was such a fun and gorgeous subject to work with. And I can't wait until her whole album is complete. Well, here's a little preview of what's to come.
This child I must say has gorgeous bright red locks of curls. It was so fun to photograph this family. We have been photographing little Isabella since she was a tiny little baby. Now she is a typical two year old. When we first started she didn't want to touch the sand, so good ole' dad stepped in and coached her. Eventually, we had her in the sand for some awesomely beautiful pictures. Here's a sneak peek!
And by the way, the beach is really at it's prime right now. If your thinking about family portraits at the beach, now is the time to do them. Just look at the dunes in these pictures! Pretty, right?
At the beginning of the year, I went to a national trade show where I learned about an organization called Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. It is a truly amazing foundation for infant bereavement.
Can you imagine the excitement, anticipation, and joy of finding out you are pregnant. The amazing journey of birth and new life, watching as a new family is born unto each other. This is the celebration we feel when a baby is born.
But now imagine the heartbreak, grief, and pain of losing a precious new family member. When a baby dies a world is turned upside down. When you should have been celebrating, you are in sorrow. A hurt so indescribable, that you feel nothing will ever heal.
The idea of photographing their baby may not immediately occur to them. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner is the heart of this organization. The soft, gentle heirloom photographs of these beautiful babies are an important part of the healing process. They allow families to honor and cherish their babies, and share the spirits of their lives.
The Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation (NILMDTS) administers a network of more than 5,000 volunteer photographers in the United States and nineteen International countries. At a family's request, a NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer will come to your hospital or hospice location and conduct a sensitive and private portrait session. The portraits are then professionally retouched and presented to the families on an archival DVD or CD that can be used to print portraits of their cherished baby. This service is thiers completely at no cost.
Please check out the website at www.nilmdts.org.
And due to the nature of this I can not show you any photos on the blog since they are so personal and precious to the families.
Ok, this is the CUTEST baby.... She smiled in almost every picture!
Here is my niece baby Miriam. She is growing, growing, growing. We now babble ALL the time, dance, and run around the house as if she were from Guatemala or something. I tell you it is such a joy for us to keep her everyday while Mom's at work. It's really awesome to see her blossom into such a distinct personality. And I had to work really hard just to get these four shots of a toddler. She is busy busy and very giggly. Quite her in all of these pictures.
Yes, I know her eyes are closed but just look at her eyelashes!!! Their Gorgeous!!
"kit,kit,kitty..." as she would say.
Okay, all you blog readers now I'm really going to have to keep track with this BECAUSE you can now SUBSCRIBE to Our Blog!!! Pretty Awesome right? So now you won't have to keep checking if their is an update. You can simply just subscribe to our blog for free and an email will be sent to you telling you their is an update. This is great news to all the blog readers. Well, what are you waiting for look over on the right side of this blog that says Subscribe to Our Blog and subscribe!
