I can already plan my New Year’s Resolution NOW…drum roll, please:)  I need to update my blog more regularly.  And, that’s a fact for sure!!!  The positive side to all of this is that I’ve been busy busy.  Amidst all the changes in our family, I have to say that I’m still in an adjustment period, but, I know in all-too-short of time, I’ll be right in the swing with the new way of life – photography & mommy mode:)  Two great combinations. 

For years now, I’ve been in marketing full-time, while doing my photography passion on the side.  I have to admit that I loved my marketing career,  but life just got a bit too hectic with work, hobby, family, church, school, etc – that I gave a big ‘Adios’ to the marketing gig.  I’m certain I’ll miss my paycheck and extra spending, but the amount of time I hope to gain raising our daughter should well make up for it. 

Cheers to everyone & Happy Friday in 2 more hours:)

Sometimes the last person in the family that gets photographed is the Mother.  And, yes sometimes she is in the photograph, but less time is spent around the interaction between her and her child / children.  Mother’s Day Gifts specifically target the mother who delights in her children and wishes to capture time spent with them to cherish forever.  Many of my favorite images are those that express the bond between mother and child…as it’s like nothing else in the world!  If you’re interested, I’m doing a Special where you can purchase a gift certificate exclusive to Mother and up to 4 children that includes 1 – 2 hours of custom photography, editing and slideshow viewing.  Plus, you’ll receive a family 8 x 10 and DVD of high-resolution images for only $300.  Gift certificates available for purchase thru Mother’s Day and valid until 12/31/11.

Here’s a sample of our pretty gift certificates:)

This gorgeous weather makes me so excited to write this blog post today about upcoming Easter Sessions.  I’ve been checking out different locations with my daughter so that we have just-the-right place where all the sessions take place this year to accomodate everyone.  I wanted a place where the kids could go hide their eggs…a place where there maybe some water to make a pretty back-drop for Easter…and, then maybe a place where children could feed cute little animals that always seem to capture some really spontaneous shots.  Even better is that the location is close to my home and I’ve been taking photographs at this location for over a year now, so I’m very comfortable with my surroundings there.  I feel you (and especially your kids) will love the location and all the fun things there is to do there.  Only thing is, they don’t provide the Easter basket, so you’ll need to bring that along with you, lol:)  We’ll do the sessions from April 8th to 10th, so I’m sure that gives you plenty of time to prepare.  I’m limiting the sessions to only 8 families so that everything feels casusal and relaxed without it being a push you-in-and-out kind of mini session.  I just hope I have time to read them the Tale of Peter Rabbit. 

Here are some of my Easter Favorites…

Detailed Flyer on Easter Sessions…

Enjoy your day! Amy:)

It’s always fun to find new places to take photographs and last week I happened to just drive by and check out a location I’d taken photos at last year or so.  Now, the location has a walk – out to the water, making it oh-so awesome to take photos with the waterfall and cascading water over rocks in the background…not to mention that the rest of the location is covered with trees and woods as if you were hiking in the mountains.  Places like this are perfect to capture a person’s spirit if they love the outdoors.  And, that’s what I love about photography.  Capturing a person’s spirit within.  Here are some images I took of my daughter while checking out the spot. 

Hugs:) A.

This question is one that still intriques me as a parent.  Because daily, the dynamic changes from baby to child and child to teen.  Yet, we’re not going to invest in custom children and family portraiture for every stage of life, unless you just have an unlimited bank account and wall-space for all those portraits, lol:)  So…..today I’m going to give my personal opinion on the subject matter.  If you’re like me, you cherish the photographs of your children and you want to be able to reflect on their lives, without missing a beat, and without breaking the bank.

Birth:  0 – 18 months {This is one of the hardest photo stages of all to me b/c one minute they’re a squishy newborn and the next they’re a baby and then they’re a little one.  I definitely recommend newborn photos within the first 2 weeks of birth because how quickly that little squishy newborn turns into one tiny little baby & you can’t seem to remember how they looked as that newborn.  Capturing your newborn in their ‘newborn’ state is probably the best investment of photography you will ever make.  You’ll sit and wonder for the rest of your life how your newborn looked once you’re sitting and chatting with your 10 year old.  And, without those images to reflect on, you won’t have anything to see for yourself, or to show your child how that looked at that very moment.}

Little One: 1-3 years old {Of course you don’t have to invest in a photographer for each of these years.  Once you have little one in a photo from baby to sitting up, I’d then wait and have a session done once they’re 2 or 3 years old.  Your sure to snap photos of your kiddo all the time, so you’ll have those shots that you’ll want to include in the photobook.  But, for your wall, little ones take some really gorgeous photos between 2 and 3 years old.  I still have a close up gallery-wrapped canvas of my daughter from age 2 in our home and it still melts every single person’s heart that walks through our door…not to mention mine every single day.  Because what you’ll see at that age is that they have an innocent smile to capture with no more awkward sitting / posing required.  This creates the most incredible work of art for your home.  Even when your child is 5, 10, 15.  Their eyes are the same.  Yes, their hair, clothing & expressions may have changed, but those eyes reveal the soul to your child and this is why I sincerely recommend investing in a portrait at this age.  I can’t tell you how warm it makes me feel everytime I look at my daughter’s portrait from this age.}

Age 5

and then about every other year or so.

Some of you reading this may think that I prefer babies, toddlers, preschoolers for photographs.  That’s not true in terms of me taking pictures, but it is true in terms of when you’re starting a family & what images you’ll want to keep forever.  How many times do you think a mom of a 16 year old thinks about that child as an infant.  It’s a lot.  And, being able to see those images makes everything warm in a home for the family. 

Information on Custom Photography: http://www.professionalchildphotographer.com/information/

I love this photograph of my daughter.  It was taken over a year ago and of course she’s changed dramatically from when this image was taken.  However, I’m just now ordering a portrait for her wall of this shot because I haven’t seen this look AT ALL since she was 4.  And I want to be reminded of it…daily.

Hope this helps! 

Hugs:) A.

Right about the time we start thinking about Halloween, all Moms start stressing about Christmas.  It’s not neccessarily all about the gifts and such, but merely everything we have to do to get prepared for Christmas:  Greeting Cards, Turkey & more food, Church Functions, Family Gatherings, Holiday Work Parties, and more…the list goes on and on…

Custom Christmas Photo Sessions for children and families begin in November.  Locations for sessions are at The Horseshoe and Riverfront Park.  Sessions begin at $150 for mini session including CD of all high-resolution images for photo cards & printing.  Additionally, we will have our 2010 Photo Cards ready to preview within the next week or so. 

Here are last years Photo Cards.