shellie benson photography

Redirecting!

2008-02-22T07:32:00.001-08:00

Okay, guys, this blog was not cutting it...got me a new one!!! If you ended up here please visit my newest an be sure to bookmark it!!

http://shelliebenson.typepad.com/

Thanks so much guys!
~Shellie

Check her out!

2008-02-16T15:01:00.000-08:00

ACK, she is just the prettiest little thing! She's so petite and tiny!!!! Oh goodness, I'm telling you I get THE best babies in the area, hands down. I mean look at that cutie!

Engaged....

2008-02-09T17:53:00.000-08:00

This lovely, lovely couple is getting married this coming May! It was wasn't toooo cold out, for February in Illinois! We got soooooo many great shots of them, it was totally worth it anyway :)

..I wanted to post this one - just because I just like it. It was hard to choose (like usual!). I'll share lots more another day soon so you can more of this cute, cute couple!

6 months....

2008-02-09T10:39:00.000-08:00

...IS MY FAVORITE AGE! Even though this is not a all 'smilie' image - she was smilie, mind you!- but even so, THIS is one of my favorite images of the session...the colors are so yummy! ...yes, thats right, I said yummy! I had to post it as my sneak-peak for her momma and grandma too ;) ...I cant proof these until Tuesday and it's gonna about kill me to wait!!!!

Takes the cake...

2008-02-08T18:33:00.000-08:00

This is quite possibly the happiest and cutest 3 month old, ever! Look at him?!?!?! OMGosh, I could just keep him. He was soooooo great and look at all the pics?! This is just a handful - the kid is just adorable, that's all there is to it! I love so many of these its not even funny, I had to end my posting night with this little bundle of cuteness!

9 months!

2008-02-08T18:14:00.001-08:00

You all know hwo this is...she's one of the 1st faces you see when you enter my website!!! Well, she's 9 months now! Time goes by waaaaaay to quickly anymore. It seems like she was JUST out here for 6 months!! I'm so sad shes getting so "old" but yet hellooooooo look how cute she is?!?!? Oh such a sweetie face!! I had to post some, I love the one in b&w where she is eatting the bowl, haha...such a sign of this age! ....enjoy all the cuteness to come!!!

Sweet, sweet newborn...

2008-02-08T17:53:00.001-08:00

First of all, let me start by saying...I have been being a total blog slacker!!! I have been doing really great with my project365, but here?! Not so much!!!! I'm so sorry!! I'm gonna post a few sessions tonight and try and make up a little for being so rude to my blog ;)

________________________________________

This is one of my newest baby planners!!! She is the SWEETEST little thing...oh dear, I just had such a great time at her session. I just have a feeling in my tummy that her whole year is gonna rock. Her momma is a total sweetheart, it was a pure pleasure to meet her and spend a couple hours with them both. And to top it off, I got to shoot this session in thier home and use all natural light... which is like my most favorite thing in the whole wide world!!! We got so many awesome, awesome, awesome shots....I was squealing with joy while I was proofing them, haha! ...I could talk forever, but instead I'll just show ya lots of pretty's!! Enjoy!

Teaser

2008-02-02T18:17:00.000-08:00

Oh my sakes - it was SO hard for me to choose ONE image as a little sneak peak! I got so many huge smiles and he is SO totally adorable!!!! I decided to go with a little smile for now, but I'll have to post more later - I had so much fun!! Look at that happy sweet face! I just wanted to kiss him, hehehe!!!

Out of Town :)

2008-01-25T20:36:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!
I'll be going out of town all weekend, starting in the AM so I wont be able to check in :) I'll be back Monday! If there is a delay in response from me - this would be why!!!

Have a fabulous weekend!
~Shellie

Post Office!!

2008-01-23T09:29:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, just a quick post!!!

For those of you out there waiting on your orders in the mail, they are going out TODAY! I can finally make it to the post office, so out they go!! I'm SO terribly sorry for the extra time due to having no vehicle (for well over a week, BOO! but all better now :) ). You guys know how I'm a little "obsessed" with my turn-around time being as fast as possible so these extra days having your orders were no fun for me!!! Thank you so much for being so great about it, you guys all are AWESOME!

Enjoy!!!!! Thanks again everyone, have a GREAT week!!
~Shellie

Peak, again :)

2008-01-12T10:41:00.000-08:00

Reconginize this face from my website?! Oh my she's SO cute, It was time for 9 months pictures today! We dressed her up all kinds of cute!!

Just posting a little peak for her mommy!!!!

Peak

2008-01-07T20:29:00.000-08:00

Just a tiiiiny little peak for this sweet little peanuts mommy & daddy!! Is she ADORABLE or what?! Oh my...I had such a wonderful time at her session today!

Only thing better than a newborn is a newborn where I get to shoot the whole session in natural light! YEA!!!! ...Makes my soul happy!

More to come of this sweetie, she's my latest baby planner so we all get to watch her grow too!

2008 Specials!

2008-01-05T13:53:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

Since my Baby's First Year Plan is always a popular special, I decided to announce what months of the year the special will be ran in 2008! ...this way you guys can plan ahead if you would like!

Each special will be a bit of a different deal, but they will be ran during the months of April, August and December!

Also, if you have a baby who is already past the newborn stage and would still like a Plan, we have a new "Custom" plan that is available! ....and this ones not limited to babies under the age of 1...it's available to any child under 5 years old!!!

If you want more details, just drop us an email! shellie@shelliebenson.com

Have a great day guys!!
~Shellie

IT'S HERE!!!!

2007-12-29T22:32:00.000-08:00

My Awesome surprise is HERE!!

I have a beauuuuutiful new website! I have worked so very hard to get it just right....music, images, colors, every thing!!! .... Here is a tiny peak but you simply must pop in over there turn up the sound, sit back and look at the new site!!!

My portfolio is along the bottom, you click the pink dots!!! http://www.shelliebenson.com/

Oh, I'm in love. Please let me know how you guys like it!!!!!!! {{{big hugs}}}

YEA, YEA, YEA!

2007-12-17T22:54:00.000-08:00

My "surprise" is coming soon!!! I'm SOOOOOOO excited! Not sure on the exact date, but anytime between now and the 1st of the year...I'm to the point I'm waiting on someone else now, so its officially out of my hands!

I'm SO excited!!!!!!!!!!!! I have worked so hard to get everything 'just right' and I'm so picky, it about made me crazy, hehehe!! I'm so excited for 2008, it's gonna be AWESOME!!!

The Winner is.......

2007-12-12T07:42:00.000-08:00

Barn Picture #3!!!!!

CONGRATS to the BRADFORDS!!

I'm so excited, I LOVED that whole session....LOVE IT! So many great shots, I will be using them for display purposes a LOT so I'm sure you will all see them :) So Mrs. Bradford...be on the lookout soon for your pretty new picture to display :)

If you are interested, here are the totals! I'll give ya the top four who where in the most competition thru-out the contest!!

#3 - Bradfords (24% of votes) - WINNER!
2nd #1 - Amanda (14% of votes)
3rd #11 - Blayney’s (11% of votes )
4th #6 - Herren (9% of votes)
...The other 6 contestants photo's carried the remainder 42% of votes!

THANKS SO MUCH everyone for all of your votes!!! I will have a new contest coming soon!! ....The next one will be to kick off the New Year (wahoo!!) so keep watching!!

~Shellie

Contest Winner...

2007-12-11T07:02:00.000-08:00

Sorry guys, my contest email keeps giving me an "Internal Server Error" So I cant peek at the last few votes for the contest!! ....As soon as I can get in there I will announce the winner!!

Wedding Sneak-Peak

2007-12-10T13:09:00.000-08:00

This is a little peak for my happy couple from last weekend! It will take me awhile to get all of thier proofs done for them so I just had to let them see a few for now!!

CONGRATS you two!!!!

December Special!

2007-12-01T06:01:00.000-08:00

DECEMBER SPECIAL!

Baby's First Year Plan....On sale from $425.00 for the entire year, and now $400.00! You save $25 bucks! ALSO as an added bonus....you will receive a $100.00 gift certificate to go along with with your Plan! You may use that $100.00 towards your Plan price to take it to $300.00, OR save that Gift Certificate and give it away as a gift for Christmas..or a birthday, anything your heart desires!!

***If you aren't Due until 2008, yes you can purchase it now while its on special!***

Thanks guys, you all are great! I look forward to meeting all my new little baby faces in December!!!!~Shellie

Contest Prize?

2007-11-29T11:55:00.000-08:00

Hey guys! Ihave a bunch of shirts like this that say my business name...pinks ones, brown ones, hoodies, you name it I probably have it! But I though hey I should give away one of Those for a contest! So I thought I would get your opinion, would you guys want that to be a prize for a contest???

I'm a dork but I think that would be cool to see my cute little clients walking around sporting one of my shirts, haha!! *wink*

I'll make a little poll over to the right for ya! Thanks everyone!!
~Shellie

Guys, my exciting news...

2007-11-28T21:30:00.000-08:00

is NOT that I'm pregnant! No, no, no...sorry if I gave that impression!! HAHAHA...I have had a handful of people think that and let me just assure you its totally business related exciting news!!

...stop it! Stop it right now, no more babies for Shellie!! hehehhehee!!!

Have a great day guys!!!
~Shellie

SO Excited!!!!!!

2007-11-26T16:37:00.000-08:00

Okay I can not tell my surprises, but starting 2008 I will have something REALLY AWESOME coming!!! Such a great surprise for me and I just can not wait to show every single one of you!! I'm giddy with joy!!!!!!!! The FIRST person to comment on this really awesome surprise will for SURE get something awesome in return!!!
Keep watching, hopefully the very beginning of January I can spill the beans!! Yippeeee!! I'M SO EXCITED!!!!
I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving!! I'm swimming in getting every ones orders filled and out, so if you are awaiting some pictures, I'm sure working hard for ya and I'll let you know as soon as they are all ready!
Have a great day!!!! Talk soon!!!

~Shellie

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2007-11-21T08:34:00.000-08:00

First of all...THANK YOU for all of the votes this photo contest!!! You guys are doing SOOOOOOOO great getting all those votes in!! ....Just a thought, but Thanksgiving is TOMORROW! (ahh!) so while you have all that family there, make them jump on a computer and vote for you too!!! ...They cant "forget" when you are standing right there! hehe!!! ...I'm even gonna make my family vote for all of you guys, Ha!!!

Also I just wanted to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you all have a wonderful day filled with love and thanks. I'm so very thankful for so many things this year, I might just spend the whole DAY in prayer giving that Thanks to God for all of the wonderful blessing in my life right now. I hope you guys have just as many wonderful things to be thankful for. Each of you mean more to me than you know...I always walk away from a session feeling like my family has been extended. That alone is a huge blessing, you guys are all so great!

I hope you have a fantastic day and are surrounded by everyone you love.
Warmest wishes,
~Shellie

Love of some images...

2007-11-20T07:27:00.000-08:00

The mommy of this little sweetie has not gotten to see her gallery yet, but I just couldn't wait to post a few on my blog! As a Photographer, you enjoy shooting a whole variety of things and you feel a little divided as too what you love the most! But even so, some images are what you yearn for and what you always 110% love no matter what. Well, these images, are what I love. I love to shoot natural light, outdoor non-traditional stuff. Typically, I only get to do that for Seniors, or weddings or older kids. When the mommy of my baby planner asked if we could meet at the Peoria Riverfront for her little guys 6 month session, I was completely giddy!

Anyway, I had to post just a couple for the simple reason it's what I truly love to shoot and they just make me smile, inside and out. You knwo I love the babies...and when you mix a baby with natural light stuff I love...you get one happy photographer.

Happy 1st Birthday Ryleigh!

2007-11-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY MISS RYLEIGH!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday God Bless youuuuu, Happy Birthday to you!!

I hope you have a wonderful day on your very first birthday!!! I sure had fun watching you grow up this past year, and I really had fun watching you eat all that cake at your last session!!

December Special Announcement!

2007-11-15T08:15:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!!

I have had quite a few emails asking what my December special will be and I figured I will just post it now, and save you (and me) some time!! I announced it at my booth on November 3rd, so a few of you know and are waiting patiently, hehe!!

DECEMBER SPECIAL!

Baby's First Year Plan....On sale from $425.00 for the entire year, and now $400.00! You save $25 bucks! ALSO as an added bonus....you will receive a $100.00 gift certificate to go along with with your Plan! You may use that $100.00 towards your Plan price to take it to $300.00, OR save that Gift Certificate and give it away as a gift for Christmas..or a birthday, anything your heart desires!!

It's a GREEEAT deal!!! I love my Baby Planners so I like doing Specials for the plan at least 3 times a year...but I try to make them a little different each time :)

ALSO, you may start purchasing this special ANYTIME after Thanksgiving...So if your Due Date is early December, or you would just like to pay ahead, go for it....after Thanksgiving I will honor the December Special :)

Thanks guys, you all are great! I look forward to meeting all my new little baby faces in December!!!!
~Shellie

Update!

2007-11-14T09:54:00.000-08:00

Just a little update on the Barn Contest!!!

Right now as it stands we have ONE picture who holds 39.2% of the votes!!!!!!!!! Thats AWESOME! There are stiil so many who have rallied for votes, and its still so early I can turn easily, but WOW 39.2%...that was worth mentioning I thought ;)

Keep 'em coming guys!!! You are doing great!!!

Also, the other session times I have available for the rest of November are...
Weekday afternoon/eevening sessions! Everything else is booked up. I fyou are interested in a date, just email me and let me know! ...Remember, the only things I shoot in December are Newborns and Baby Planners...so if you need to get in, be sure to set your date soon!!

Thanks guys!!! Have a HAPPY Thanksgiving if I do not post again before then!!!!
~Shellie

Red Barn Photo Contest!!!!

2007-11-10T08:24:00.000-08:00

The first Photo Contest was such a HUGE success, we are doing another one!! This one is dedicated to the big beautiful red barn....if you guys have been out here, you know how great it is! I had SO many sessions out here I thought why not do a Barn Contest?!?!

<----CLICK on that Contest Picture to make the photo larger so you can see them better!!!

RULES! New rules this time guys! You vote by email again like before, but to a new Email address! Be SURE to put the number you are voting for in the TITLE of the email!!! Example "Voting #4!!" New Email is BarnContest@shelliebenson.com . ONE vote per email. ALL emails will be recorded, so I'll know just like before if there are repeats. If I suspect 'fake' emails then you take a risk of losing automatically so please do not create emails just to up your votes!! It's 100% my judgement call so please just don't try it and save me some stress, haha!!! We wanna be fair to everyone so just rally your friends, family and co-workers!!!

The winner will get an 8x12 mounted print of the 2 photo's displayed that won!!! (Every contest it will be something different!)

HAPPY VOTING GUYS!!!!!

~Shellie

Maternity...

2007-11-07T21:32:00.000-08:00

I had to post some of these maternity images because, last Saturday, I got to photograph the newborn was in her cute little tummy in these shots! hehehe!! This is Claudia, isn't she so beautiful? I dont even look that great NOT pregnant! ...just not fair! haha!! We did studio shots and of course outdoors because that's my favorite thing in the whole wide world. ...I will be sure to post some of baby Jordan too when I'm all done, he's just perfect!

STUNNING Senior...

2007-11-07T20:40:00.000-08:00

Oh dear, I Had to post so many...and even now I'm forcing myself to stop!!! COUNTLESS great shots of her! This is Kristen, she a senior this year! Last year we did some pics for her, just for fun because shes a great subject and let me borrow her for an afternoon, haha!! Well this year is her Senior year and she booked her senior session like months ago to make sure she got in, in the fall! Boy, we had a great time! We just drove around Morton/East Peoria where she lives and near our church (we attend the same church) And jumped out whenever I felt the need...worked out awesome as usual, I love doing that ... and yes, I had the chairs with me, of course, in the van! Gotta be prepared.

(Hey Kristen! If you wanna "steal" these for your MySpace go for it, chica!) Speaking of Myspace...Just so you guys know, I consider anything I post on my blog with my copyright stamped on it "free to grab!" so feel free to use them on your MySpace of family blog, no need to ask, I promise I'll never get upset about that, my name is right on there so go for it guys. They are your pics too!!

Love this family!

2007-11-07T20:22:00.000-08:00

I'm gonna try and get a few more session loaded up tonight for you guys!!

Here is a family I just love! See Ryleigh in there?! She's a Baby Planner and she is just one of my favorite little girls EVER. I so look forward to her sessions, she's so stinking cute and does so well and I just favor her...I'm bad! But alas, she is turning one in like a week, so will be coming in for her very last session and I will be so sad, but so happy because hello she gets to do cake shots!! ...I'm rambling! Okay, so we did family shots for her whole beautiful family and I just think they are so adorable! I love thier outfits with the barn and I love thier cute, cute, cute family! ...Seth was such a great sport, I wanted to try this 'Picture in Picture' idea I have had in my mind for like months now, and so he was sweet enough to hold my frame for me, he just did awesome, this one is my fave! ...Okay on too pictures!!!

Raffle Winner....

2007-11-06T09:49:00.000-08:00

If you signed up for the Raffle on Saturday, November 3rd at my booth at Peoria Christian Middle School....you might be wondering who won the raffle for a free $100.00 session fee with $60 print credit! Well, I JUST drew a name, and the winner is......

Brenda Schriber of Peoria, IL 61604

Congrats, Brenda! Your $100.00 gift certificate will be mailed out to you soon, and you have 6 months to use it! Yea!!

Senior - 2008!

2007-11-04T21:28:00.001-08:00

Oh I had so much fun with this Senior!!!! ...Obviously, I mean there were what, a MILLION proofs Amanda and Angie? I think close too *wink* haha!! Great locations, great outfits, great clients...you add all of those things up and you get a great session! You know how some people whenyou meet them it's just like you have always known them forever and ever? Thats how I felt that day, I love that, I felt like just a part of the family, but with a big camera in her face ;)

Thats all I have for tonight, I'm sleepy and need to go to bed! I have soooooooo many session to put on here, I'll try and add a few more tomorrow and get a little more caught up!!
~Shellie

Engaged....

2007-11-04T21:03:00.000-08:00

This couple is getting married next year! They are SOOOO sweet and adorable! I got so many great shots of them, they were so relaxed and easy to shoot, we got so many so fast! Its to hard to pick a favorite, you get to see lots! I love, love, love the shot up above of Natasha against the barn with her beautiful hair and her fiance' looking right at her all sweet and adoring! I mean really, what a lovely shot to have forever, it looks as if he is thinking "oh I love her so!" I wish I had a picture like that with my hubby, hehe!!!

Awesome Couple!

2007-11-04T20:50:00.000-08:00

OH, I could post EVERY picture from thier session!! I loved this session SO much it makes me squeal, haha!! I was assembling thier oh-so-pretty proofbook today and I was like "OH I love that one, OH I love this one, OH OH OH!" Good grief they are so cute! I had to post so to show off from thier session because look at them! ...I know what your thinking " Shellie you get excited about ALL of your sessions!" ...okay so you got me there I really do but I reallllly love fun couples who will do anything I ask! ...Sit in the road - Okay!...Gimme your shoes - Okay! Kiss your wife - Okay!! hahhaa..I'm so bossy!! *wink* ..Thank you 2 for being such awesome clients, you rock, *I* will cherish your pictures forever as well

Famous Barn Baby...

2007-11-04T20:41:00.000-08:00

This baby...this baby girl has started what I like to call " the Barn Frenzy!" haha!! Everyone sees this now website famous adorable baby girl, and says "Oh shellie I want some of THOSE pics!!" I loooove it!!! So thank you baby Kadyn, you are a doll baby, I LOVED your session, and you have made my website splash page oh so much cuter with your sweet face on there!!

Here are some more pictures from her session! Enjoy!!!

October Photo Contest Winner is......

2007-11-01T08:09:00.000-07:00

Yep, #3.... the Caudill Kids!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!! Your 11x14 will be printed and sent to you soon, so be on the lookout, hurray!!

I must say, the contest was SO close that this picture won by 1 vote...ONE! ...and then 3rd, 4th and 5th place were less than FIVE votes away!!! You guys impessed me, flat out! I had to tally over 300 votes....to which I was not expecting, so next time I will be using a poll system, verses and email system, haha!! You guys were awesome, thanks so much for making out first ever photo contest SO AWESOME!!!

A new contest will be posted within the next 2 weeks, so please watch for it...it could be YOUR family! Thanks again, guys!

~Shellie

Fransisco-Carboni Wedding

2007-10-29T21:16:00.000-07:00

This is a sneak peak for my wonderful wedding couple from this past weekend! It was a BEAUTIFUL wedding, and a BEAUTIFUL day...all around! Its so hard to not post about 75 pictures on here, but I just can't, so I will post a few teasers to help ease the wait for the happy couple :)

I had SO much fun at this wedding! As you can tell, my favorite shots are ALWAYS the non-traditional shots. The traditional stuff is fine, we all need those...but my heart and soul scream for the *fun* shots! I got so many *fun* shots for Matthew and Karla....ohhhhh, it makes me happy!!

I hope you guys enjoy your little peak! I promise to work hard so you can see the rest as soon as I possibly can get them ready!
~Shellie

*This shot with the blue sky and the kiss is one of my favorites and I knew it was going to be from the moment I "pictured it in my mind" that day!!! The sky was stunning and the kiss makes it that much sweeter!

Online Images :)

2007-10-26T12:35:00.000-07:00

Did you guys know...you can choose FIVE images from your session to have for online display? Yep! Got MySpace, or Facebook and wanna show off your awesome new pics? Just let me know! Each image is small but easily seen for online use...and will have my copyright across the picture, and you can use them anywhere your heart desires online...even on your families blog!!

So, if you are an online junkie ( like me) and want to show off your recent session to all of your online boards and communities, just shoot me an email and we will get those ready for you! ...Just another perk of having your portraits done with me! ;)

Have a great day guys!!
~Shellie

Phone resolved!.

2007-10-18T19:10:00.000-07:00

Hi guys!

Repair man came out at 10am today and fixed the phone line!!!! YEA!! ... AND I got a new cell phone ( still 309-241-7782) so call away!! Wahoo!! Thank you for your patience!

OH and just a Thank you for being so sweet about the fact am sick and sound just terrible!!! ...your kind words DO make me feel better!! You guys are so great!

Thanks guys!
~Shellie

Vendor Show Plug!

2007-10-17T19:33:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

In November there will be an awesome vendor show! There will be all kinds of vendors there for you to shop and and sign up for goodies! It's a great way to get some Christmas gifts started and be able to see a ton of different things in one centralized location!

Date: Saturday, November 3rd, 2007
Time: 10am-4pm
Location: Peoria Christian Middle Schools Gymnasium

I will be there with a Display... and it will be a pretty one, hehe!! I will be doing a raffle...and if you come out and a picture from YOUR session is displayed then you get to sign up 2 times and double your chance to win! YEA! Also I'll announce my new Special for the month of December too and you will SOOOO wanna hear it!! ..it will make a great Christmas gift!

I'll also have some Gift Certificates there as well so if you wanna give the gift for memories, sign right up and get it done that day while ya see me :)... AND to make the deal sweeter, if you purchase a gift certificate that day, I'll add $50.00 t to it! :)

Have a great day guys!!! Hope to see you out there!
~Shellie

Christmas Cards!!!

2007-10-12T14:10:00.000-07:00

2007 Christmas Card Gallery is up and running!! Those of you who have had sessions, or will be soon just email me for the access code and you can browse the selection. I have a TON to choose from, so many beauitful designs, the sample above is just that, and small sample! 4x8, 5x5 and 5x7 sizes to choose from, so a size for everyone :)

Be sure to order all cards before thanksgiving!!! I'll send out an email too...but I got excited to share, hehe!!

Cutie Couple

2007-10-11T09:43:00.000-07:00

Blogger is giving me grief! These are the only ones I can get to load, the rest are red X's for me...making me crazy! ANYWAY, this couple was sooooo cute and fun! I'll try and post more later, I dont know what the issue is!

OH and just an update for the Photo Contest...you guys are going crazy!!! hehehe!! There are 4 images that are literally within 5 votes of each other and the others are not that far behind, so its really anyones call still!!! Keep spreading the word and keep the votes coming becuase it very well could come down to a tie...I'm a little concerned! I need a back up plan if that DOES happen!!

Availability, remainder of 2007!!

2007-10-10T07:19:00.000-07:00

Availability update for the rest of 2007!! October has literally 2 time slots open, and then I'm completely booked for the month! If you are considering a session in October, here are the 2 times and dates....grab them FAST because I have been contacted this week by a few people, so they wont not be open long!

October
BOOKED- Thank- You everyone for an AWESOME October!!!

November
November 1-9th - no openings.
Saturday - November 10th.... afternoon is booked, Morning is open and after 4pm is open
Saturday - November 17th, after 4:30pm only.
Saturday - November 24th, all day open!
Friday - November 16th - BOOKED.
Monday's, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays in November I am only available after 5pm.

My Last session of 2007 will be November 30th, guys!! The only sessions I will be shooting from December 1st thru January 15th, 2007 are Newborns and Baby's First Year Plan Members. (and of course, my winter wedding...dont worry Melissa K. if you are reading this, hehe!!)

You CAN start booking for 2008....You guys know how quickly April-October book up so if you have a date next year you want 110% for sure...feel free to grab it now. Baby Planners...not to worry, we will always get you in, your top priority!! ;) I am trying to find time to create a calander for "ease" but I'm just so swamped right now, it's gonna be put on hold!!

Thanks guys for such a great 2007 so far...I swear, I have THE BEST clients ever!!!!!! OH OH OH!!! Christmas Cards are NOOOOW available!! Be watching your email soon for more info!!

Thanks everyone!!!!
~Shellie

New splash!

2007-10-05T09:37:00.001-07:00

I have a new splash page on my website! It was really time for a little update! You can see it, of course, at http://www.shelliebenson.com/

This week should be called design week...I have been trying to use what time I have this week to get some new promo cards designed, and some book pages designed, all kinds of goodies for me to hand out in packets, booths and displays...I just needed some new stuff! Its all so pretty but goodness it's so time consuming. In the process I kept using that image of the baby girl (Kadyn) by the red barn because its just flat out one of my new favorites and I decided they HAD to be on my new splash page! Once I get an idea started in my mind, I have to complete it or it just never happens, haha!

As you can see there are some new "buttons" too, the baby leads here, to my Blog and the happy little girl leads to my Online Gallery and Proofing area. The other one will soon lead to a wedding site! That however will take me some time, but keep checking!!

Recognize her?

2007-10-04T12:53:00.000-07:00

She is in the PHOTO CONTEST!! Yet another Baby Planner...can you tell I like baby planners???? oh MY I love to watch them grow, but Newborns are just one of my favorite ages ever...and this is why...loook at that sweetness! I love this aby girl, love her...I cant wait to see her again in November. I could have posted so many, but here are a few faves!!

Baby Boy...and family :)

2007-10-04T12:39:00.000-07:00

This is one of my little baby planners! He is soooo cute and had grown SO much since his newborn session! They are the sweetest family, these were some of my favorites from the session!

Mini Session, BIG smiles!

2007-10-04T12:26:00.001-07:00

Oh my dear goodness... think this little girl is SOOOO cute! These are some one my favorites, I got thats 3rd on down a 18x24 for my booth display..she just makes me smile with her sweet little happy faces!!!

2 little boys...

2007-10-04T12:16:00.000-07:00

It's due time for some pictures on here, dont you think?! I have so many I'm just gonna post some of my favorites from a few sessions for now! These 2 little guys were so great, they didnt make me chase them around to much and they listened so well! I think they need to come and teach *my* boys a thing or 2, hehe!!

WOW!

2007-10-03T06:52:00.000-07:00

You guys just ROCK...I gotta tell you that!! I think its gonna be a given that I have to make this a monthly contest becuase the Photo Contest hasnt even been up 24 hours yet and there are SOOO many votes!!! Holy cow, I wasnt expecting that, I'm so excited!!

Keep the votes coming guys...I'll be dead honest, as of right now there are 3 pictures right now that are in fierce competition already!!! Thanks soooo mucf for getting so involved and pulling in all of those votes...keep up the great work!! ....GOOD LUCK!!!!!

PHOTO CONTEST!

2007-10-02T13:43:00.000-07:00

Here is a little photo contest for ya!!!
(You will have to click on the picture below to see them bigger!)

Here is how it works....ONE vote per email address please!! Get your friends and family to vote for you too! Any random person can vote as well...so even if you do not know any of the little ones in THIS contest, you might in the future, so please vote for your favorite picture, no matter what!

The picture with the most votes will get a 11x14 of THAT image! YEA! Keep it, give it as a gift...whatever you may like, but you get it 100% free just because you got the most votes! Now, I want to do this more often, so if we get a nice response then that will be the kick to make it VERY often, or just once in awhile :)

Send your votes to: contest@shelliebenson.com ONLY!! All votes sent to other email address's will not be tallied, so be sure to send your votes here guys and gals!

I will give some names of the "contestants" too in case you are hoping you know someone, hehe!!
1) Isabella S.
2) McKenna C.
3) Caudill kiddos!
4) Kylie D.
5) Kadyn C.
6) Ryleigh C.
7) Davis girls

Good Luck Everyone!!! Voting starts now and will go the entire month of October! November 1st the winner will be announced right HERE!!

Raffle Winner!

2007-10-02T12:23:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I'm a day late!! I "orgaanized" my office...and then I forgot where I put my raffle entries!! hehehe...typical of me!

I just drew a winner for a free $100 session fee that includes a $60 print credit and it's Jennifer Block - Chillicothe, IL! Congrats to Jennifer!

Thanks so much to everyone who entered!

~Shellie

Congrats to....

2007-09-28T21:27:00.003-07:00

Miss Amy Fiala!!! Amy sent me an "sappy thank you" email and got herself a free 8x10!!

Congrats Amy! ....THANK YOU for being such a wonderful client, its been so nice to get to you know and your little men were a total delight to photograph!!!!

Thats all for now, I will be out of town this weekend, but be sure to check in next week!!! OH and I will also announce the winner October 1st for the raffle drawing from Thursday night in Chillicothe so keep watch!!! yea!

Thanks again, everyone! Have a fantastic weekend!
~Shellie

Big sappy Thank-you!

2007-09-26T10:42:00.000-07:00

Oh you guys are killing me this past week!! I just had to post a big HUGE, HUGE , HUGE thank you to all of my clients....really all of you!!! You guys have been so over the top wonderful lately, the comments and emails and phone calls I have been getting about your galleries...they just mean SO much to me...words cannot express how wonderful it's been.

So, I just had to publicly say a huge THANK YOU to each and everyone one of you!!! Thank you for being such great clients, and thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to let me know how much your images mean to you...it just means the world to me. This "job" I have, its not a job to me..its my heart and my passion and to get such a wonderful response makes me tear up. You guys are just the best...much love to each of you.

Okay, the moment has got me...I'm give something away!!!!! The first person to email me at shellie_benson@yahoo.com will get a free 8x10...compliment's of me, just because. Just say " Sappy Thank-you!" in your email and I will know exactly why you emailed me, hehehe!!

Thanks again you guys...you all ROCK and your beauuuuuuuutiful families make my "job" that much more special.

~Shellie

Phone!

2007-09-20T15:04:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!!

I have GOOD news!! You can finally reach me by phone again 309.249.3141...the repair guy got out here and fixed it!! YEAA!!! I can not even tell you how grateful I am for that fact!! Everytime it rained out here we would get water in our line and you would hear some static for a few days and then it would get better and go away. Well 3 weeks ago we got a couple BIG storms a few days in a row, the phone did the usual noise, but just got worse and worse and then REALLY bad and then NO dial tone at all and a loud annoying noise in its place.

The repair man siad that they kept thinking the problem was at the facility, and couldnt find the problem, then after checking a bunch of stuff out here he said 2 connections that run into the house were completely broken off??? What in the world?! HOW they would miss that I will NEVER know...I mean really now. But it does make since becuase he said we must have been having problems before and then the latest storms just took it out completely....yep, that was the case!!!

BUT...who cares!!!!!!!!! It's fixed!! yeahooo!!!!! So, feel free to call me like crazy now, haha!! Thank you for everyone who was so supportive during the lack of phone....we really apprieciate it, you guys are so awesome!

OH just a little update, next week is a 2nd street Market in Chillicothe...Thursday night the 27th and I wil be there with a display, so if any of you are out and about stop by and see me!

Bye guys, have a great week!!
~Shellie

Mid-month Reminder!

2007-09-15T06:58:00.000-07:00

The month is 1/2 over! Here is a little reminder for everyone of my specials this month!

September Special!!

$425.00 Baby Plan, with 10% off ALL orders thru-out the year,
OR
$325.00 Baby Plan! ( no 10% off thru-out the year on this one)

IF 2 people sign up together, and purchase their plans together you can even save more....2 Plan special is just $585.00! Sooooo, if you have a friend who is pregnant as well and was considering a Baby Plan, get together and purchase them as the "2 Plan Special" You can save even more!! That would put each plan under $300 each! (...both plans must be paid for together, in order to get the extra savings)Now you all can chooose what will workout best for you guys!

! I'm SO excited about this special this month, I hope you can take advantage of this great deal!Also...current Baby Planners, if YOU refer someone who purchases a "Baby's First Year Plan" during the month of September, you will get 35% off one of your upcoming orders!I have been having SO much fun with my current baby planners, its just such a great thing to watch each little one grow thru the year...it makes my heart smile!

As always, if you have any question, just let me! shellie_benson@yahoo.com or shellie@shelliebenson.com
Have a GREAT weekend, everyone!

Minor website update :)

2007-09-15T06:52:00.000-07:00

My website was needing a minor update, the picture of ME! With the help of my lovely...er, handsome assistant *wink* Jeremy (my husband in case you were wondering) I now have some new ones on my "ABOUT" page on my site! Seee...he is a great student, and he listens well! There is hope for him yet, haha!

WHY do I live in the country???

2007-09-15T06:45:00.000-07:00

Thats why I'm posting this session today...to restore my faith in living really far out in the country!!! I LOVE it out here, but when we have these phone issues I get 2 seconds away from saying we are MOVING into town!!!! And then....I look outside, and see the beauty that is my backyard, and I come back to reality. Yes it has the downfalls....the phone line for one, and ask me when we are buried in SNOW this winter!...but really now, its so worth it! Look at this beautiful family!!

New Additions!

2007-09-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

I have all kinds of new overlays! These are just a few...they are limited as too what size picture you can use them on, but they are really cool! I thought I would show off a few. Keep an eye out, i'm sure you will see some on your images in your gallery!

Still no phone.

2007-09-14T14:24:00.000-07:00

Okay guys. I'm officially broken down. I have gievn up all will over this phone deal.

We now have absolutley NO dial tone, nothing. The repair was scheduled for today beween 1-4pm. Its 4:29pm, no one showed up. I keep trying to sumit an update request online, and Verizon ( our phone company) keeps giving me an Internal server error.

I mean really. This is insane. I still have no phone, I'm being to think we just wont get someone out here to fix it! Its been 2+ weeks!!

Please email me guys, sorry again for this hassle.

~Shellie

Phone update, and vacation dates!

2007-09-07T21:26:00.000-07:00

Hey all!

Just a couple updates! The repair man is scheduled to fix our phone(309-249-3141)...but not until Friday, September 14th. Yep. That's a WEEK away. So, this means for the next 8 days I'm going to be very hard to get ahold of. Please email me for ANYTHING if at all possible! I'm going to post 2 emails for you...use 'em both, that way I have some sort of back-up...I feel so helpless!!! I CAN check voicemail though, if they are short *sigh*...so if you need to tell me something about an order and I can email you a response, go for it!

shellie_benson@yahoo.com AND jeremynshell@gotsky.com just send them to both, I'd rather just be safe! I check email many times a day, so if you haven't heard back from me in 24 hours...there is an issue!!

Also...my hubby is on vacation starting today, for the next 10 days! (sept 8th-sept 16th) I still have sessions all next week as planned(...so if you have a session don't worry it's still business as usual!) but there is a couple days earlier in the week where I'm not shooting, so we might take a day trip or two. If thats the case I might not be where I can't pop in as often as normal...but not to worry, we wont go far!

Also...Tiffany J. who just booked a session the other day, for October 6th...I know we got cut off during our phone call the other day, and I'm SO sorry..I knew it would happen!! I did not get your address, so if you could pretty please email that to me to both email addy's above, I would be forever grateful!!! Thanks so much, dear!

Thanks guys!! Again, I'm sorry for all for all of this chaos, it's been one crazy thing after another!!!!
Have a WONDERFUL weekend and enjoy this perfect weather we are supposed to have!!

~Shellie

The dirt road...

2007-09-07T12:28:00.000-07:00

This is the dirt road I spoke about in my previous post! Its right up the road from me...Can't you just SEE a little girl, in a Tutu, and crazy baby leggin's out there? Or a simple white cotton dress? Or 2 little boys in jeans with thier hands in their pockets...or a family walking down...oh my. I drive by this place, and thats all I SEE, haha!
Here is a slideshow for ya!
<

I happen to know of 2 of the cutest little blonde girls EVER, who are due to come out for photos soon...and their momma should highly consider this spot!! ...you know who you are Miss V....bring me those girls!! *wink*

My 'Outdoor' Studio ;)

2007-09-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

So do you have a session booked with me this fall and are headed out my way? Well, here is a preview of your session location! THIS is my outdoor studio...literally, my backyard! its SOO beautiful this time of year. I wanted to post some pictures for you guys who have booked, and who are considering coming out here, verses meeting up somewhere!

This was this evening, on a gloooomy rainy day, and literally 20 minutes before sunset so it was pretty dark...but I think you can get a great feel for my grounds. This is the PERFECT time of year to schedule...I can;t even put into words how perfect this time of year is! If you are thinking about a session, book one in September and October and you will not be disappointed, I assure you :) Oh and to add to the "perks" of booking out here, one mile up the road are railroad tracks, and also a old dirt road thats just fantastic!

I'm also going to head to Morton on Sunday and take some shots of a park there thats just lovely, I think its a great idea to show you guys all the possiblities we really gave and let you see and choose what will work out best for your family!!

I'm not gonna lie, my schedule is pretty full, but if you can have a week night session out here...about an hour and a 1/2 before sunset...I can absoluetly find a day to get you in! shoot me an email or give me a call and we'll get ya scheduled!

Thanks guys!!! Talk again soon, I hope you enjoyed the pictures and the location!

~Shellie

Chat on MSN!

2007-09-06T10:57:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to let you know...with all my phone troubles I have been having, thats really driving me crazy! I have set up an MSN Messanger (Windows Live Messanger) that I will log into during the day! If you would like to chat with me, ask about booking, or just have general questions, please feel free to Message me anytime you see me online! ( link to get it free: http://get.live.com/messenger/overview )

My msn email account is " shellie_benson@yahoo.com " So, just add me to your MSN account and we can chat away!

Thanks so much guys, i hope you enjoy this! I know it will save me from stressing out about phone lines and emails, thats for sure!! If you have NOT heard back from me in the past couple days...that's not *normal* so please try again!

Sorry for all the trouble..I feel like I have done nothing but post email and phone problems all summer!!! It's just so frustrating.

Thanks so much everyone,
Shellie Benson

I've been Tagged!

2007-09-05T20:14:00.000-07:00

I just read my email that I was tagged by a FABULOUS photog buddy Sylvia Laughrin!! Love her! So now I guess I have to give you 8 FUN facts about me. Now...Let's see if I can come up with 8, haha!

[1] I'm a church girl (missionary baptist!), never miss unless I'm deathly ill or something absolutley crazy has happened where as I can not get there!! They way I see it, God gave me life, and my family, and this crazy talent that has blessed me with having a wonderful career..I refuse to say job ;) ...I can EASILY and HAPPILY give Him a minimum of 4 hours a week of my time, that's His only.

[2] Um, I'm a little crazy about matching...I can't rest if my boys go to bed in jammies that do not match, or to the store or something...anything! I'm such a goofball about it!! When my husband dresses the boys I have to correct it, haha!

[3] I'm the only girl in this house...and even though I SAY I want a girl, I secretly adore being the only girl...it does have it perks!

[4] I'm not a good singer, not even a little...okay so I'm really bad! But if I were to choose a talent I WISH I had, it would be singing! I think music is absolutley important to a happy life :) Since I can't sing, I just pretend, hehe!

[5] I love living in the country...ohhhh how I love it. The colors, the skies, the cornfields, the wide open space around me....makes me feel so tiny in a big ole world... and like God is teaching me that I'm just a little spec, haha!!!

[6] I loooooved being pregnant, LOVED it...there was not one thing I didn't like ...other than labor, thats never a complete joy. But being pregant, oh...I think its just such an amazing thing. I'm very happy that I'm all done having babies, and that my expereinces were so great!

[7] My sister is one of my favorite people in the whole wide world and I love her more than words can describe..it tears me up when I just think about her! I'm a sappy dorky sister!

[8] and last, but not least....I just might dye without caffiene! haha!!

There, now you know some silly things about me, and I get to tag more people in return! yea!!

Diane Cotton
Amy Jamieson
Kris Evans
Starla Wideman

Phone Issues...

2007-09-05T06:27:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

Our phone line is down, yesterday and today we didnt even have a dial tone. The past week and a half we have had a terrible noise on our line thats soooo loud we can hardly hear the person on the other line. I have called the phone company, they said they're dealing with a high number of calls and problems so it would be after Labor day before a service man can get out here...well its after Labor day, and the repair man still hasn't came. Its been ever since we got the rain, we always have trouble out here after a lot of rain, but this time its veeeeery bad :(

To make matters worse (most of you know this from experience!) my cell phone lasts about 2 minutes, then beeps and dies! ...need a new battery. SOOO, the joy continues! If you have called me in the last few days and I haven't been able to reach you, THAT is why!! Please, please, please email me if at all possible!! shellie_benson@yahoo.com We do have satellite now...thank goodness, so we do at least have internet!!

Just had to update ya, I hate that some people I just cant get ahold of! Thanks guys for your understanding, I'll post an update when the dude fixes the phone!!

~Shellie

September Specials!!!!

2007-09-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

Okay everyone, it's SEPTEMBER!!! Lots of you know, but juuuuust in case you didn't, here are my Specials this month!

September Special!!

$425.00 Baby Plan, with 10% off ALL orders thru-out the year,
OR
$325.00 Baby Plan! ( no 10% off thru-out the year on this one)

IF 2 people sign up together, and purchase their plans together you can even save more....2 Plan special is just $585.00! Sooooo, if you have a friend who is pregnant as well and was considering a Baby Plan, get together and purchase them as the "2 Plan Special" You can save even more!! That would put each plan under $300 each! (...both plans must be paid for together, in order to get the extra savings)

Now you all can chooose what will workout best for you guys!! I'm SO excited about this special this month, I hope you can take advantage of this great deal!

Also...current Baby Planners, if YOU refer someone who purchases a "Baby's First Year Plan" during the month of September, you will get 35% off one of your upcoming orders!

I have been having SO much fun with my current baby planners, its just such a great thing to watch each little one grow thru the year...it makes my heart smile!

As always, if you have any question, just let me! shellie_benson@yahoo.com or shellie@shelliebenson.com

Have a GREAT weekend, everyone!

All for now...

2007-08-31T14:00:00.000-07:00

Couple of my boys!

Thats all for now, I have to get ready to go with some friends for the evening!

I will be posting more so if you session was not included, dont worry, more are to come!!

Have a great evening :)
~Shellie

The Wedding...

2007-08-31T13:35:00.000-07:00

It just was a beautiful day..." the love was in the air" sounds cheesy, but it really was!! I loved just watching the couple together, and you could just feel how much they truly cared about each other. I tried to capture the beauty of the day, I sure hope I did, because it was lovely! ....it was an honor to be there :) Enjoy!

Wedding eve...

2007-08-31T13:22:00.000-07:00

This was the night before this couples wedding! I came out and shot for them, it was such a lovely evening...for being July, it was lonly around 80 degrees that weekend, it was wonderful! Here are justfew of the shots...The 2 little girls I had to post...look how cute they are?! I would looove to have a session just for them, haha! I'll post some more of the wedding as well after this! :)

Pretty little lady...

2007-08-31T13:16:00.000-07:00

Some babies you just KNOW they are gonna be so pretty when they are adults becuase how in the world can the not be when they are THIS pretty as a baby?!?!?! Oh my, I love her sweet face, I cant wait to see her again at 6 months!!!

Engagement session...

2007-08-31T13:03:00.000-07:00

Oh this couple...I had to stop posting, I could have posted all of thier session, hehe!! Aren't they just the cutest?! I get to shoot thier wedding as well in October, yea! I just love happy couples, these to were so sweet and so laid back and easy to talk too...just what I love because i'm pretty laid back! I love couple who dont mind when I kick my shoes off and lay in the grass and all of the other crazy stuff I do to get the shots I want, haha!

And another...

2007-08-31T12:51:00.000-07:00

great family! I'm quite sure you guys have seen a few of these on my 2007project blog, but here are some more for ya!

Family at the beach...

2007-08-31T12:43:00.000-07:00

This family was so wonderful...the kids were SO sweet! I loved the session :) This is Shore Acres Park, which I love to much and use so much...and now it has NO shoreline because of the flooding! I'm so sad :( I had to post these so I can look back, hehe!!

Hi all!

2007-08-31T12:28:00.000-07:00

Hi all!!

I think its time for me to get this blog underway! Now, bare with me, I'm really not even sure what I have posted from this summer because its just been a whirlwind of stuff, and if you know me..im a little scatterbrained even when I'm not busy! ha! I am just going to start posted images until I run out of time and have to leave for a bit :) I hope you enjoy them, I always love to see more images from a session than just one or 2 so my plan is to post a handful from a bunch of sessions for ya!

Be keeping a close watch, I'm also going to announce my Baby Plan Special(s) too for September!! Have a GREAT day!
~Shellie

---Post---

Here is a senior session I loooooved from this summer! I LOVE seniors, I can be creative and run them around all kinds of places. This session we ran up to Princeville which is one of my absolute favorite "urban" locations, and then we also came back and used the barns out here! ...loved so many of them, its not even funny!

Welcome!

2007-08-22T11:19:00.001-07:00

Welcome to our new BLOG!

This is the NEW location of Shellie Benson Photography's Business Blog! It was time for a change! We updated the look -to match the website, of course- and for admin purposes to make it more user-friendly. This way, updates can be much more frequent because posting time is quicker over here (yea!).

The old site is still up and running, and there is a link over to the right for your convenience, so if you should need to pop over there, feel free!

We hope you like the new look, please check back often for news, updates, specials and of course images!!

Have a wonderful day,
~Shellie Benson Photography