Bye-Bye 2007!!!

Wow, in a few hours 2007 will be just a memory. That seems VERY hard to believe!!! I loved this blog, it was a lot of fun, but it's time to say good bye to it!!!

2008 I will start a brand new blog!!! Last January I came on to late to start a Project 365 blog, so I started this project2007 instead! For 2008 I will start fresh and once again try and capture my year, as many days as I can!!

New Blog starts tomorrow : www.project365-shellie.blogspot.com I hope to see you over there in 2008!!!!!

Have a WONDERFUL New Years Eve & New Years Day!!!
~Shellie Benson

IT'S HERE!!!!

NEW WEBSITE, NEW WEBSITE!!!

www.shelliebenson.com

AHHH!!! I love it so, it's HERE!!!

Dec15

Here is a little baby planner who needed to come in for her 3 month session! This is a peak for her daddy and momma! I loved this little hat, isn't she just SO CUTE?!!

...Thanks for coming out today and battling the snowy roads!!! It was totally worth it :)

Sorry!

Sorry guys, I have taken pics, but just dont have the energy to load them up...now it's been over a week, ewe!! I have been busy proofing and working on my "suprise" as well as all the details that go along with it....my creativity is zapped...it's as simple as that.

Over the past week we snow, I got pictures of the snow! Jeremiah took some too that were very impressive! ...Then last weekend I shot a wedding, which was lovely and while we were there the ice came! Lots and lots of ice. So we stayed in town, and finally drove very slowly home, hehe. Monday was non-eventful...grocery shopping, oh joy! The rest of the week has been working on my surprise and working on wedding pictures! ...plus orders and all my usual stuff that comes in everyday. Today I'm just having one of those days...ya know when you just dont feel like yourself? Bah, those days are no fun.

So yes, my blog has been neglected.

Day304

No picture today...you can say it, you know you wanna...slacker!!!

hehehe...yep, thats me!! I was hard at work today on my special surprise, so I didnt take any, If we get a nice amount of snow tomorrow/tonight I hope to get some pics of the boys in it tomorrow!!!!

Have a happy day :)
~Shellie

Day303

This is a picture from when it was still warm, but I had a long day and didnt take a new shot today. Plus, this is my sister :) Today she was there for me...like always...just when a needed a hug, she was there...like always. I never cry and so when I do, she knows something is not right. I'm just grateful for her today (and everyday) so I wanted to post her picture since she is on my mind. It wasn't a *huge* deal, I was just frustrated and wasn't having a great morning, but she made me feel better and it made my whole day better. Everyone needs s sister like her.

Sis, If you see this, thanks again for being there today and letting me cry on your shoulder. I love you very much.

Day302

I'm going to post these early, for tomorrows shots.
When ya let go of the "pictures have to be a certain way" thought process, thats coupled with the " my kids have to do a certain thing, sit a certian way or have a certian outfit on"mentality....well, you miss this stuff. This is the real Lukers...my little dude. In his favorite football shirt as he calls it, with his thomas blanket, sittin on the couch in my livingroom...being him.

These are the pictures I will cherish and what makes my job mean that much more to me. I have memories forever that freeze these "un-important" moments.



I'll post a Luke-athon on his blog too ;)

Day301

Ice Anyone?


We are a little stranded today...ice is covering everything! Against my better judgement I took my baby...errr camera, outside for some pictures. I about fell at least 3 times..not good! However, I always have to get shots of the ice storms...its such a pain, but so pretty. I hope the sun shines tommorrow so everything will sparkle

Day300

I didn't take one Friday...bad me! But I was hard at work on something special so its okay ;) I'll still throw one up here, this was one I took a few weeks ago to show a colleague my packaging...thrilling I know, haha!! ;) Still...anything that involves pink and brown is pretty in my book!

Day299

Took some of my Miah tonight...just a few. I was 'in the mood' hehe! I will post more on his blog shortly if ya wanna see, pop over there!

Day298

The sunset was so pretty and I wanted to get a shot of Luke jumping...exactly like this but I was hoping to get all of him in the air with the sunset as the background...well, my yard slants, and I it was against my favor unfortunately! He's jumping, but I just couldnt get low enough :( I'll try again another freezing evening in a new spot, maybe I can get lower!

I was quite a sight outside in some shorts in 30 degree weather laying down in the yard making my kids jump at sunset let me tell ya, haha. ..notice lukes mittens? at least he was warm, hehehe!!!

Day297

My Christmas Card??? Nope! Well okay sorta! I mailed out my Christmas Cards yesterday, and they are so lovely, I adore them!! This one is a mini version! We just put cards on every family's pew at church instead fo mailing them ...and this year I did cute little 2-sided 5x5 cards. This is just side one. ....My family card I mailed out is a Trifold and it ROCKS....there is no getting around it, it just ROCKS! I cant wait for you guys to see them, be on the lookout they are in the mail!!! wahoooo!!!

Day296

Okay so I'm totally cheating, but hey its still a picture right? This little cutie face was from a session last week, I never posted his pic...what was I thinkin'?! Here ya go!

Day295

Sunday it SNOWED!!! *hiss, booooo* hahaha I had to grab the little camera from my purse and take a few pictures of it. Its so pretty when its falling....I just hate when it stays. Thankfully this time I didnt not stay.

Day294

My rotten children! See how fake they are?!?! We went to my in-laws house Saturday for Thanksgiving #2, its quite a drive and the boys were VERY happy to get there, haha!! They were having so much fun and being all kinds of crazy that day, then I wanted to take thier picture and THIS is what I got, HA!!! ...Fakers!!!! Oh those 2, never a dull moment in my house.

Day293

My hubby has to work the day after Thanksgving every year so I always stay home! I had a session before before my session I did some cleaning and hung some decorations and then the boys wanted to do some painting. So, painting is just what they did! They made some ornaments for their Grandma Bensons Christmas tree and also a few other things. This was Miah hard at work and one of Luker's masterpeices from the day.

Day292

Thanksgiving we went to my Dads, like usual! There are a couple snapshots, I didnt use the big camera, it wanted a day off, hehehe. <----Thats my little brother and sister, in case you didnt know!

Day291

Short and sweet today! What else do I need to say when 2 little ones are THIS adorable??

Day290

Oh, its one of those days where you find ourself going to God in Thanks for all of the wonderful blessings in your life. I'm blessed beyond words. My family is so wonderful, my church is wonderful, my job is wonderful. I feel very *aware* of those facts today. I just keep telling the Lord how much it all means to me. I'm sure Thankgiving has alot to do with that, I mean that is the purpose of the day and its been on my heart and mind knowing I get to spend a day with my family whom I love soon. Also, all of my sessions lately for work have been so lovely. I truly love my *job*. The people, the images, the shooting and proofing...all of it, I just adore it. Its not about making money, thats why I even have a hard time calling it a job...it's about *needing* to create and make beauitful things. It's totally a creative outlet. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed with that fact. Today is one of them for sure. I grabbed my 7 years olds KJV bible...and snapped my picture for the day. If you should have time to read the verses, please do. I love how his little study bible gives him questions on the verses to help him think even further on what he just read. These just summed up my day. "Finding Your Gifts" I truly know that God has given me this gift that I get the privilage to call my 'job'. My heart is just giving thanks to the Lord today for that gift.

Day289

Yes I'm crazy! hehehehe!! We decided to get a new Christmas tree this year. Reason was our tree was huge and we dont have a huge house, haha! It just took up so much space, and my hubby was not a fan of putting it up and taking it down either. Its lovely though, but just not do-able for our house! SO we decided to stay a bit away from the traditional tree and get 3 Trees that are country and tall and skinny instead! They are SO adorable. Luke decided to tell me there was a Daddy tree ( 7foot) a big brother tree (5foot) and then the litle brother tree (3 foot) hehehe...That made them that much sweeter, what a cutie face I have!!

Anywho, we just love them but since they are already to go with lights and all, we have them in the livingroom already and its not even thanksgiving yet!!! Its a little funny, but hey I'm inthe Christmas spirit early this year so frankly I dont mind a bit. there is the star on the "little brother" tree.

Day288

Okay so this is from one of my sessions yesterday, but hey at least I'm posting!! Plus, I got to use one of my flower hats and lets face it, I love dressing up little girls!!! I got to dress this one up like crazy! She did so well and I got so many of her!

Just for the record, 6 month olds ROCK! If you have a 6 month old, bring him or her to me pleeeeeease! I love them so!!!

Day287

Do I have THE best job ever, or what?!!? Here is one of my little sweetie face baby planners at his 6 month session this morning! Ohhhh hes so cute, I can NOT wait to proof these!! We meet at at the Peoria Riverfront, and for a November morning, it was just beautiful. We really couldnt have asked for a better day!

Day286

My Favorite little Baby Planner turns ONE tomorrow!!! We did her 1 year session tonight and she was as cute as ever!!! I'll have to post a messy cake picture on my business blog tomorrow and wish her a very happy *real* birthday!

I just grabbed one, once I look at ALL of them I'll be glued to them, so just one for now!!

Day285

Oh my, I'm on the ball lately...posting my pic of the day in the morning? I must be ill! hehehe!!


Today I have to sort and package a TOOOON of orders. I have orders bag and box, 2 proofbooks to build, wedding proofs to prep and get into thier pretty box and all kinds of stuff on my to-do list!! So my day will be filled with Boxes, ribbons, tissue paper, bags galore and all kinds of frilly fru-fru stuff to make everything just right. SOOOO, there is a little pile of my work you see...there is another pile right next to it as well. Off I go to work! Sorry for the yucky pictures there is NO light down here and I hate flash so I avoid it as much as possible, haha! ISO 3200 was my buddy today :)

Day284

Busy day, gotta talk short and sweet!
These 2 little sweetie faces came out for a session yesterday! They did SO well and we got a ton of pictures!! I thought i would share one for my pic of the day before I leave for the rest of the day!!
Lisa, if you have caught this, I meant to email you! It was SO wonderful to meet you guys, thanks again for coming out!!! I'll be in touch soon, I hope you like the little peak! ;)

Day283

My baby today!!! He's FIVE! I'm all emotional like a dork. I'm gonna try and convince him to let me take some outdoors shots too, so you may see more! Plus I'll add more to his blog as well since its his big day!!!!

Be YOU.

Today is a great day! I woke up and it's my sons 5th birthday!!! He's five, he's my baby!! Just been a great day so far! It's one of those expressive, creative 'scream to the world how great your life is' days.

To all of you who continually support me, I just love you and truly appreciate you!!! I have found in my business and life in general, you always have people who will try and bring you down, no matter what. But what overpowers those people are your faith and all the fantastic people God put in your life who are your constant support. I just have had a mixed week...I have been hit by both types of those people this week. (...for the emails I received this week (you know who you are) thank you so much for your wonderfully kind words!!!!)

You know what I have found in dealing with this??? The nice, kind, wonderful people TOTALLY over weigh those other type. People will always be there to bring you down, just don't let them...not even for a second!!! My business means SO much to me, I can't even put it into words, I really can't. It's just a huge part of who I am, and what I love and I yearn for it. I take it seriously because of that deep love so I'm a little 'on-guard' when I get those not-so-nice comments from people regarding it. Do I get much of it? No, I honestly don't...but it always seems to come from the unexpected, and I think that's exactly why it gets to me. Should it get to me? NOOOO!!!!! I need to learn that, and get it beat into my head!!! That's what triggered this post today. I want other people who are struggling with "opposition" to learn from my dumb mistakes and stay strong, and BE YOU!!! Ohhhh the opposition will come from places you had never expected and it will hurt, but it will make you stronger I the end. I'm quite sure some of the MOST successful people in the world had thier family and friends doubt them....but what made them a success was that they did it anyway.

It's no secret, I strive to be different and strive to put out work that's ME. I'm not afraid to do it, and with all of my heart I hope that's exactly why my clients choose me to photograph their lives and families. Am I traditional? Um no. Not so much. I try to get away from traditional as much as possible to be dead honest. I think pushing the boundaries and doing the stuff that I love and that is truly me, makes my business and my work what it is and why I'm successful. God has given me a talent to use, and an 'eye' for the unexpected. I need to use that talent....not change that talent because of some person or people who do not 'get it'.

To all of you out there who strive to be YOU, and shut out all of those people who tell you "it'll never work" or "you'll never make it" or just feel the need to try and put you down....I respect you. To the highest degree, I respect you. Those people say those hurtful things because of their insecurities or jealousy, those things have NOTHING AT ALL to do with you. There will always be those types, and if you can shut them out and just do what you know is right and what you need to do, or you can let them effect you and your life.

Those of you young people who are just learning your talents and gifts and trying to find out where you are being lead to go with your life....don't let ANYONE hold you back. EVER. You do what God wants for you and what is right for YOU, and and NEVER let people put limits on you. Follow your dreams and talents to the highest degree. Shut out the opposition.

Day281&282

Oh my Sunday was a blur. My hubby was sick, so I was away from him all day...which was simply not fun :( I missed him terribly. Today he was feeling much better but had to work...so I still miss him terribly. *sigh* Here is a sweetie face from Saturday! Tomorrow is my babys 5th birthday!!!! SO hopefully I'll get a Studio pic of him to remember the big day....before I cry and sob the rest of the day because my BABY is FIVE!!!!

Day280

LOOK AT THAT FACE!!!!

Oh, I needed this session today, this little girl was THIS smilie the entire time!!! I mean she was a dream!!!! Oh my gosh, I cant wait to proof them, shes so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day279

2 parts of my day today. The good part involves a visit with my dear friend from California who is here for a visit!! We had a GREAT time, she's so awesome I love her so much! We had lunch and went to the Apple Blossom Farm down the street for a few pictures. It was so fun i wish we could have hung out longer. Its So wonderful to have such great friends who are photographers...Diane is an awesome photog, so we get to talk shop, and show each other stuff and plus just enjoy our friendship.

Part TWO of today. Oh how I wish it was as good!!! Somedays, being a woman is no fun and I would trade it in a heart beat, HA!! It was just like one little thing happened...which normally is no big deal, but yet tonight it set me into a cranky mood. What makes me happy when I'm cranky? Um Amy for one, and then also Cheez-its and Chocolate!!!!!!!!!! ....if you EVER, EVER, EVER wanna make ME happy after a bad day or just because and you wanna get me something I would reallllllllllllllllllllly like....give me Cheez-its. haha!! I kid you not, they just make me happy and I rarely EVER buy them for myself ever because I have nooooo control with them. Tonight, they will be my little friends :)

Day279

No pic, sorry!!!

I was working, and didnt realize it until late!!

Day278

Just a quickie, I'm in a hurry...I have proofs and orders awaitin'!!!! But I promised the mommy of this little cutie face a little sneak at one pic from her session!! Isn't she a cutie?!

Day277

Today, just a shot from the camera I carry in my purse! I had a Dr. appointment ( oh joy) and since it was in Pekin, we stopped in to see my sister and have lunch! It was nice...at least something good came out of going to the Dr, right? But of course we took a picture with 3 of my most favorite people in the entire world.

Day276

I have no picture for today, BUUUUT, I did add 4 sessions to my business blog! You have seen one from each session, maybe 2, but I posted like 10-12 favorites from each session!! I am so behind on posting sessions over there it's BAD, I will never get totally caught up :( I have just been literally bombarded. But hey, if you need a picture-fix, go lookie over there!!! You will be happy! http://www.shelliebenson-blog.blogspot.com/ there are some goooooooooooooood ones.

Off to bed I go! Night-Night all!!!
~Shell

Day275

Meet my newest little baby planner!! He is SO cute, and they just left a little bit ago, he did so well! I cant proof till monday or tuesday but I had to share one...what a peanut!!!!!

Day274

HAHAHA, did you need a good laugh?! I sure did!!!!! This is called WAY TO MUCH FUN with a fisheye lens!!! Oh boy, what a great, great little lens, I adore it! ....and super fun when you just need to LAUGH!!!

Day272&Day273

I promise I did not forget about my blog!! ...I JUST got over the flu, and then Wednesday I got what my youngest, Luke, has had! We dont know if it was food poisoning, or some kind of stomach virus, but once it hit me, I was down hard for 24 hours straight. I don't do well with throwing up, in fact I have been known to sit by the toliet and pray over and over to not throw up! ...but yesterday, I welcomed it because I just knew it would help me get relief! ....it was still icky though, I don't like it one bit!! ...and then to watch my almost 5 year old doing the same, it was no fun, we were a sad sight. We are feeling better tonight, so I'm VERY grateful for that!! Needless to say I have no picture for these 2 days of torture.

I'll be so happy to just not be sick!!! At least its now, and not the holidays! I'll just hope we are getting all of our sickies out now and be good for months to come.

Day271

These 2 little boys just really stole my heart tonight!!! They were a dream, we got SO many images it's really insane! But look at them? I mean come on, how cute can they be?!?!

This is just one of MANY, it was hard to choose which to post!!! Oh my, so much fun to shoot and proof. I swear, I flat out get the best clients ever.

Day266-Day270

Yeah well I will sum up the last 4 days with a wedding picture because that is what my mind and my world has been consumed with pretty much the entire time!! ...Well, and church on Sunday!!!

this image is a simple image, as the brides mom was helping her put her shoes on for her big day...but I love it, so I thought I wold post it!

However, if you would like to see more...I will be posting a sneak-peak for Mr. and Mrs. Carboni on my business blog sometime this week, so stay tuned *wink*

Day265

I got nothing. Okay thats not true, I have LOTS but Im drained!! I'll just skip Wednesday! So sorry!! ....I think October is trying to kill me, haha!!

Day264

Another GREAT family came out tonight! I'm telling you, I get the best familes. I have only gotten to peak, but I liked this one right off the bat! Later I'll have to post a close up of the little guy....he was soooooo CUTE! Oh my, his smile just made me smile!!

Day263

Ohhh...this is from my last session Saturday! I felt like we took THOUSANDS of pictures...we didn't, not even close, but gosh, every single one I have peaked at is AWESOME!!!

I LOVE SENIORS! ...love them! So fun, so open minded and so awesome to shoot AND proof!!

Day262

Im cheating! This was one of my sessions from Saturday! They were so great, I'm excited to proof them...it was hard to just go grab one for here!

Day 262 was really Sunday, and Sunday all i did was go to church and try to recover from being sick. Lets just say I started feeling way worse before I started to feel better. This bug I have started to kick my hiney Sunday!! It's not been so fun in OCTOBER! Oh my, why does that stuff always have to hit ya when you simply can't rest??? *sigh* its okay though, I'm getting better, Dayquil and NightQuil are my friends!!!!!

Day261

This is from my first session of today!! SUCH a great family, I told them I would use one as my picture of the day, so I'm keeping my word! ...Dont have time though...off I go to have session #3 for the day coming up soon!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Day260

Special post for the mommy of these BEAUTIFUL little girls!!! Here you go Melissa...4 pics for you, for a quick little sneak peak! I'm SO excited to proof them, I mean LOOK AT THEM! ....I have the best job ever.


Last night was SOOOOO windy..I'm sure we will have some crazy hair pictures, but you know what..we embraced the wind and gave it a whirl anywho! I'm SO glad we did! ...can I just say I'm totally in loooove with my barn right now?! Most of my sessions for the next full week are scheduled out here and that just thrills me, the colors are to DIE for!