I read this quote the other day…
‘Girls are born…
1. with beautiful gifts and burdens
2. to be taught
3. to connect, to collect and to be perfect
4. to feel and to deal
5. to take it
6. to cry and to be shy
7. to love
8. to tell’
All true. All something that each of us has to learn one step.. one lesson.. one day at a time. These are the things that make me wish I could impart my experience, my almost 30 additional years of knowledge on to my own daughter now. So that when a boy pushes her down on the playground, she realizes it’s really cause he thinks she’s cute. And later, that she deserves no less than a boy that opens her door, offers his coat and protects her heart. I want her to know that when people say hurtful things, it’s really cause they are hurting. That those turbulent teen years to come are such a short phase in the scheme of things, the world really is her’s for the taking. And mostly, that keeping her head up and being kind and knowing she’s loved really will get her through anything…
carrie: these are awesome shannon. i wanna girl now ;). just like this one. (08.02.2009 07:14am)
Josh Solar: Truer words have never been spoken. I love the fact that your daughter totally looks like she destroyed her opponent. Yeah, she has a black eye, but that smile says her opponent has 2 black eyes and needed stitches to cover the cut over an eye. (08.02.2009 08:24am)
Kyla Hornberger: yep, i am still in love with EVERY post. If it were possible I would come and stalk you personally - in a good way. (08.02.2009 10:05am)
andrea caballer: Love!! The quote, your thoughts and of course the photos!! Great job! (08.02.2009 10:05am)
Yuka photo art: Amazin photo shoot! Cute girl! Love your quotes! (08.02.2009 11:18am)
Jenifer Johnston: why did what you write make me tear up? (0; she is soooo adorable and tough at the same time. I heart all of these big time!!! (08.02.2009 11:57am)
stephanie mcbride: i think i will save this post and read it to all four of my girls...beautifully written, the shots incredible, the model just as gorgeous as her mom. love it. (08.02.2009 05:36pm)
cindy: To say this is "beautiful" just doesn't seem like enough. You works always leaves me with a smile and a gushy feeling in my heart...especially when it comes to your children. (08.02.2009 10:41pm)
Janee: I love these!! She is so dang cute black eye and all. What a fantastic mom you are...thanks for sharing. (08.03.2009 07:32pm)
Gail Zeak: These are incredible, Shannon!! I love all of them. Em is such an awesome model! (08.04.2009 10:10am)
Vickey Weiss: oh how I love these! Awesome awesome awesome!!! (08.04.2009 10:44am)
Vickey Weiss: ps...I'm going to show this to my Emily - such an important lesson. (08.04.2009 10:47am)
Jenni Wise: I'm sorry to hear about your daughter's troubles, but WOW WHAT A GREAT SERIES!!!! Makes me want to go out and get some boxing gloves!!! (08.04.2009 06:23pm)
Ginette: I have followed your blog for a little while now, and I LOVE your photography...but these are the first that literally took my breath away. Gasping for air by the end. AND Choked up. Maybe because I can see the love you have for your daughter in them. At any rate, the story, the images, all beautiful. Thank you for sharing. (08.04.2009 11:49pm)
Kellie Thompson: Love, love, love this post. The thought is touching. I have a one year old little girl and I will be sure to tell her this when she gets older! I love the shots. What tops it, is that she is missing her two front teeth ;) So cute! Fabulous job! (08.06.2009 08:09am)
Dina: Breathtaking! Who knew black eyes could be so beautiful?! (08.06.2009 04:40pm)
Kathy Carlisle: Well said! Amazing shoot for an amazing girl. The ones of her smiling make me absolutely, positively weak! They will look so cute next to Drew's series that you did when he lost his teeth. (08.09.2009 09:39am)
Stevi Savage: Oh, these are so good. (08.12.2009 08:14pm)
elizabeth: this post made me get all teary.. I love this and the images are perfect. (08.13.2009 06:56am)
carmen: shannon .... this post is incredible! i love it! you need to be shooting for magazines ... seriously! i love the old boxing gloves, her star socks and chucks and the quote is devine. if i didn't have 4 boys i'd keep trying for a girl ... this post is a reminder of how special they are :) after seeing this post i wanted to email you an image of two of my boys. one has a black eye (from a swing) and the other has 7 stitches under his left eye :( this summer has been full of visits to the ER and many scrapes, bumps and bruises. crazy!! (08.14.2009 05:03am)
carolyn wilson: You have captured my family in an unbelievable way. What a fantastic job you have done, from Logan to Henry to all the rest ... thank you so much. carolyn wilson mother, mother in law, grandmother, step grandmother, and step Great Grandma and dog grandma (08.15.2009 03:33pm)
lindsey thorne: omg shannon these are adorable- what a kick ass concept. (08.21.2009 08:21pm)
Maya Laurent: Someone else already said this but if I ever have a girl I will read this to her as well! Awesome! (08.30.2009 07:54am)
Alexander: Hi!. Thanks for the blog. I've been digging around looking some info up for shool, but there is so much out there. Google lead me here - good for you i guess! Keep up the great information. I will be popping back over in a few days to see if there is updated posts. (12.18.2009 11:59am)