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Just a glimpse of one of Saturday morning’s minis.
This family NAILED it with the outfits, you guys. I mean… look at those stunning colors! I think what won me over, in the end, was the 3 year old’s shoes. Because: yellow. I love yellow sooooo much!!! And 3 year olds. And 14 month olds. And mamas in fabulous hats. And, of course, daddies with awesome attitudes.
All of it and everything. ❤️
XOXO,
Me
When this mama reached out to me in an email, she shared that their family was expecting their fifth and final baby... and the one thing she knew was that she wanted to document this beautiful, special season of their family's life.
I really loved that. As a parent, there are seasons in life when you know, deep down, that the moments & feelings of your family should be captured just as they are, here and now, and without delay. As a mom, I've done it myself... I've booked sessions on a whim, only to be deeply grateful years later that I followed my gut.
Saturday was a beautiful, beautiful day. ☀️ And this was a beautiful, beautiful family. ❤️ Without a doubt, we captured the essence of who they are as a family of six, almost seven, on a warm summer evening, 2018. The giggles, the love, the play, the joy... this family's "now" is safely chronicled for all time and for each one to cherish for always.
What does your gut say about this summer? If it's whispering "go for it," shoot me an email. I'll be right here waiting for ya. ❤️
Here's a post that's been in my head for years. I think it's so fun to know a bit more about what's going on behind the scenes of other people's businesses... so here's a bit about what's going on behind the scenes of mine. Enjoy! (Note - all of the images in this blog were taken during this past week's lifestyle mini sessions... yay!)
If being an amazing family photographer was a pie, I think it may surprise a lot of people just how small the slice of knowing how a camera works would actually be. Basic photography knowledge is just the price of admission. There's so much more to it than that!
These are the things the best photographers do to create the images that stop people in their tracks:
ONE
Great photographers engage.
When we see an image that demonstrates strong emotion, it's nearly always because the photographer has facilitated it in some way. I like to consider myself a silent player in every picture. My job is to draw out an emotion so strong that you are immediately participating in it as everything else falls away. The best photographers are people-people. They know how to form a strong connection with every subject in front of his or her camera. People don't engage with cameras; they engage with photographers.
TWO
Great photographers look for the story.
If you've come to any of my classes, you've heard me talk about this. Every photo tells a story. The moment a skilled photographer arrives on the scene, he or she begins to look for the story. What emotions are present? How do these subjects relate to one another? Why are the subjects moving/behaving/talking/connecting the way they are? The best photographers aren't passive bystanders... they're detectives on a mission.
THREE
Great photographers are a little bit bossy. Nice, but bossy.
If you were to take your car to the shop for repairs, you'd want the mechanic to take the lead, no? I'd definitely be having second thoughts if my mechanic started asking how I thought my car should be fixed. Great photographers clearly direct their subjects. They're comfortable calling the shots because they're secure in their knowledge of photography... whether it's how to turn your head, when it's time to walk to another spot, whom to look at, what to say... all of it! A photographer who directs his or her subjects puts them at ease, because they can trust in his or her knowledge and experience. Relaxed subjects = better pictures. Simple as that.
FOUR
Great photographers practice wholeheartedness.
As dreamy as it may sound (and it often is!), photography is not an easy line of work. It's highly rewarding, but as artists we have a LOT of emotional skin in the game. We photographers not only put their work out for all to see (see the definition of vulnerable here, lol); we also have to put a price on it. Some will value the art, some won't. It can be difficult for an artist to separate people's valuation of her work from their valuation of her self... if not properly managed, this can lead a photographer toward defensiveness at best, bitterness at worst. Staying "soft" is one of the biggest challenges in this profession; the very best photographers understand and accept that exposing their hearts through their photography means they are opening themselves up to emotional hurt... but they choose to be wholehearted anyway, choosing to focus on and be grateful for the opportunities they have to create and share their passion with the world.
FIVE
Great photographers find inspiration in their subjects.
Another session. Another family. Another day in the life of a portrait photographer. It can be easy to fall into a rut of monotony, but that road leads to the desolate land of boredom and burnout. The best photographers intentionally and actively choose to see each subject as unique and beautiful; they look for the miraculous in the midst of the ordinary. The best photographers allow their hearts to swell with inspiration as their subjects dance, embrace, smile, connect, laugh... even cry... and they choose to fully engage in each and every session.
SIX
Great photographers won't "arrive."
I'm convinced that the moment I decide that my photography has reached perfection is the moment that marks the beginning of the end of my craft. It's like that with anything, of course, but especially with art. Art is not linear... it's a wide open field of exploration, experimentation and inspiration that can take you in any direction. There's no "arriving" with photography because there are ALWAYS more directions in which to grow! New lenses, new perspectives, new compositions, new subjects, new locations, new lighting techniques... the list is endless and one lifetime is nowhere close to enough to know and master it all.
SEVEN
Great photographers love photography.
I mean... they REALLY love photography. They love it as much as they love air, food, water... even wine, hahaha. They go through life viewing the world through an imaginary rectangle, because life is a story and they are the storytellers. I often find myself in tears as I sort through the images from sessions, my heart threatening to burst into a thousand pieces at each precious interaction. Bet you didn't know that. I believe that the best photographers will always choose to open up their hearts and fall in love with their craft, again and again... because it's through this lens of love that truly incredible images emerge. ❤️
And those, my friends, are the seven things that the very best photographers will always do...
Here's a smattering of the kinds of pictures that are taken during a Lifestyle Mini Session.
I can't stop talking about these sessions because they catch life happening. And life is beautiful.
There are still a few openings through the end of June, and our July & August schedule was just released. We expect these to go quickly this fall, so getting your session knocked out during the summer wouldn't be a bad idea... just sayin'. ;)
Click below to see what's available.
Hope to see you soon my friends! <3
Did I catch your attention there? Hope so, because there is something I just discovered that is SO brilliant that I would be a straight-up criminal not to share it with you.
But first, a quick back-story: I don't usually get up when my alarm goes off. Never have. That's the back-story.
K. Let's fast-forward to last week when my daughter heard Jonathan and I trying to problem-solve (yet again) our lack of willpower when it comes to getting out of bed in the morning. She told us that she'd heard of an alarm clock that shreds money. Yes... it shreds money. Or at least it threatens to, because actually shredding money is illegal, who knew?
It's like this: you put a dollar bill (or a larger one!) in it, set your alarm, and it activates 2 minutes later to shred whatever's sitting in its teeth. 😂 Brilliant.
Sadly, there is no such thing, but we figured out a hack. We got a little desktop shredder and a digital outlet timer and set up the whole thing easy peasy. Here's how it works:
I keep the shredder downstairs, so my morning now consists of me FLYING out of bed to pull the money out of the shredder before it turns on. Hahaha. It's awesome.
K. Thought you should know about that. Now... do you want to see the CUTEST 2 year old??? She was amazing... enjoy!!!
PS... Every picture I posted from this session would qualify as a "lifestyle" image... If you're ready to book a Lifestyle Mini yourself, or learn more about them, click here!!!
It's been six years since I've captured this gorgeous little family, and the sister was just a bump in her mama's tummy at the time!
Another trip to Chicago for these guys meant that I was given the treat of having them in front of my lens. Everyone was 100% amazing. Hadn't expected any less... ;)
Little note btw... these pictures are representative of the images that are given in our Lifestyle Mini sessions. We still have a few left if you want to grab one!
XOXO,
Amy
There are no words for how much I love shooting on the beach in Florida...
Ok, so I’ve been reading the most amazing book written by a woman named Louise Hay way back in the 80’s… published in 1984. So, like, 34 years ago. But whatever… it’s amazing.
It’s amazing because it’s brought an idea to a level that I can finally grasp… something I’ve been trying to internalize for so long: how to better love myself.
Surely she says it better than I will here, but let me tell you what I’ve recently come to understand:
I am three years old.
It’s that whole inner child thing, I know, I know. But hear me out:
Aren’t we basically the same person throughout our life? I mean, we gain more experience and our brains and bodies mature, but the essence of who we are remains the same. When you were little… like 3-year-old-little… it’s likely that you were 1) adorable, 2) unashamed, and 3) really liked yourself. You knew how to ask for what you wanted. You knew when you needed rest and you knew when you needed to eat and you knew when you needed a snuggle. That’s how little kids are. I know this because they’re in front of my camera ALL. THE. TIME. and this is how they act. 100% THEMSELVES.
So follow me here. That amazing, adorable, unashamed 3 year old is still in there, you guys. She’s the same. You’re still her. Granted, with more experiences, but YOU’RE THE SAME PERSON.
It kind of blew my mind.
This week, I’ve been loving the little 3 year old Amy that’s still me. I’ve been WAY more gentle with myself (I mean… who yells at a 3 year old???) and have been so much more aware of the way other treat me. I’ve been a bit protective of myself, actually… protective of that sweet little girl who needs more encouragement and less criticism in her life.
And this may sound crazy, but I’ve been seeing other people as their 3 year old selves too. It’s been a game-changer.
So I’m leaving you with this: We’re all 3 years old inside, you guys. Love the hell out of that kiddo because she’s amazing and adorable and deserves a beautiful, happy life.
XOXO,
Amy