Wednesday January 11th “Managing Client Expectations Through The Experience

Friday January 13th- “Pricing and Marketing: Core Components of your Business”

Saturday January 14th- “Shooting, Editing, and Presenting Your Images To Tell A Story”

I’ve decided this year to make the most of my time at the convention and take advantage of the other amazing speakers, and will be attending classes everyday to renew and invigorate me and my business for 2012.  I think it’s the perfect way to start off the year.  I’m also super excited to be able to meet up with other photo friends I’ve made over the years in that area of the world.  If you’re in London and are going to be attending SWPP, I’d love to meet you so keep up on Twitter!  I’ll try and blog a few times while I’m there……

When I return I plan on making some other exciting announcements and continuing with my main passion in shooting- WEDDINGS!  I have some really great weddings lined up this year and can’t wait for each of them!

I’ve also joined in on another photo project for this year through Instagram.  I don’t have any themes or specific topics, it’s just to shoot one interesting photo for myself each day.  If you have the app and would like to join in, you can tag your photos as #instagram366 ……I’m 5 days in and loving it.  It’s amazing what we can do with these devices and my iPhone has completely replaced my point and shoot camera for personal and travel stuff……see you around!

Last week I went to go visit my grandma in the assisted memory care center she stays in.  She’s my fathers’ mom and is originally from Texas.  What started out as a fun visit to my parents house, turned into looking at old photos of my grandparents, and an overwhelming feeling to go visit my grandma.  Sadly, I hadn’t been in a few months  The last time I saw her, my parents were down in Houston and I told my mom I would go pick up grandma and take her to her weekly hair appointment.  She has severe dementia, so when I picked her up, she didn’t know who I was and wondered why I was taking her out.  As we got in the car, she asked me who my parents were.  When I told her, that Jeff, her son, was my dad, she had a moment of clarity and said, “oh that means your my grand daughter and that means that little guy is my great grandson”……She was weak and feable, I had to help her walk, but she remembered for a moment who I was.  Fast forward to last week, and as I was looking at old photos and videos from when my grandparents were young- they must have been from the 40-60′s and it made me reflect on how our lives change over the years.  I saw one photo of my grandma at age 21, in a swimsuit, and used for a beauty contest, penned “to my man, all my love- Georgia”.  So we went to visit her with the kids.  You see, hospice has been called in and that means, she probably doesn’t have much longer to live.

She was weak and skinny laying in her bed, surrounded by photos of her past life, and I began to cry quietly (the baby that I am).  Not because I was sad really, but because I saw her life coming to a close.  She has lived a great life, and at the end, once beauty fades and our bodies are spent and wrinkled; what matters most is the loved ones that remember you…..even if you don’t remember them, and I’m so glad that they documented their life so fully with photos, journals, and videos.  This experience, along with the reflecting I’ve been doing these past few weeks, have renewed something in me.

I love what I do, but I also want my life to be full!  I’m excited about the future and changes that are coming…..I was able to get out this fall and take photos of my children.  Something I haven’t done in quite a while.  I think this sums up how I want my year to start…..spending time, creating memories and photos of my life and sharing that with other people too.  I hope you have a renewed sense for this coming year and remember to enjoy your life!  Here’s to a fantastic 2012!

this series totally captures Kasen’s personality…..impish for sure!

they’re growing up so fast, but definitely into giving me some camera love without much direction, of course they’re boys and had to get IN the tree…as you can see Riley loved it with his big smile!

This is how most moments go- interactive, with Kasen losing interest fast and pointing at a bird flying by, I love this series anyway

in case you missed our Christmas card this year, I DID get at least one great photo for the card, our home and my Facebook cover photo!

I started off the year being invited to speak at SWPP in London, England.  It’s been one of the highlights of my career and continues to be, as I prepare to return in exactly 1 week.  The first part of the trip I got to shoot a wedding with a dear friend of mine and see how English weddings compared to ours here in the United States.  My mom was able to join me on the last half of the trip and it was so fun! You can review pics from my trip HERE, HERE and HERE.  It really was amazing, and one I look forward to again in 2012!

2011 is also when I found Instagram (I’m amandakphoto on there), Pinterest (also amandakphoto), and I launched my new blogsite (which still needs some tweaking now that PP4 came out).  We also made a HUGE life change as a family in 2011, and in July moved from the Seattle, WA area, to Boise, ID; mainly due to personal reasons with extended family members.  As many of you witnessed on my blog in late 2010, my dad was diagnosed with a rare kind of bone cancer.  We wanted our family to be closer to them, especially the kids and even though there were many things sacrificed for the move, it has been the best decision!

With all the changes and starting over in a new city and market, my photography business slowed down just a bit.  This was intentional, as I’m a notorious planner- just ask my husband!  As we’re making plans to do some things to our house here, I sketch out everything, place the furniture in my little drawings, have to-do lists for each day, and even plan out how to pack the car for family vacations!  Other than some weddings and a few portrait sessions, the last half of 2011 has been me reflecting, preparing and planning for 2012.  Needless to say, I’m itching to get back in the swing of things and I also have a renewed sense of exactly what I want to do in 2012.  Sometimes it’s refreshing to take a little break.

I shot  8 weddings and 9 portrait sessions in 2011.  That’s all.  But each one was great, and I moved parts of my business forward in ways that I hadn’t in 2010.  Here’s a few of my favorite images from each of my own weddings I shot in 2011:

And here’s some of my favorite shots from my Lifestyle sessions in 2011:

In other year end news, Nathan was accepted into his Officer Program for the Navy!  He’ll be attending school at his favorite place on earth- Boise State for the next few years and then it looks like our next 10 years will be split between here in Idaho, Washington and possibly San Diego (although we’ll always return here to Idaho in the end, we love it here!).  If we’re really lucky maybe we can get an overseas duty station, in say Italy?  We’ll see what the future holds.  I’m excited for 2012 and I’ll be writing on my short term plans for the new year tomorrow ……..HAPPY NEW YEAR’S EVE!!!!

Today I sifted through my archives to try and find some images that I haven’t posted from the past.  I found these floral shots from a wedding I did down in Portland in 2009.  I’ve booked my first wedding here in Boise and will be shooting it on November 12.  It’s starting…..and I couldn’t be happier!

Dear Braedon,

Well, today, just like the past 10 years, has flown by.  Donuts for breakfast, your own Facebook and email, a movie with Papa, a BBQ with friends and presents…you told me more than once that this was the best day of your life!  Sometimes when I look at you, and you don’t know that I’m looking at you, I’m astounded by how grown up you look.  I totally get that because I always looked older too, but it’s different when I’m your mom looking at you and thinking, when did you grow up?  It really and honestly seems like just a few months ago we were packing you off for your first day of kindergarten!

You are a kind hearted, sweet, and intelligent boy.  I love that you are so into Harry Potter and Legos and now that I know how fast time flies, I just want to stop time and have you live in that little world a bit longer; before the girls, cars, music, sports, friends and moodiness hits.  Today, as we were setting up your Facebook account and you were telling me what photos you wanted in your album and what you didn’t, and writing your “about me”……you suddenly weren’t a little boy anymore.  You didn’t want me to type that you like to “play” with Legos, you wanted me to switch the “play” out with “build” because you thought play sounded to much like a little kid.  I laughed and obliged.

Sometimes I think you are way beyond your years.  You have a depth to you that I adore and love.  When I see you unabashedly having a conversation with our next door neighbor’s grown husband about something that interests you, I have to admit I’m a little embarrassed at first.  On many occasions I’ve mouthed “I’m sorry” to someone because I thought maybe you were talking a little to much to them.  But when I really sit back and think about it, I’m proud of your confidence and enthusiasm about whatever you’re talking about.  I love you Braedon, I’ve loved you from the very first moment I found out I was going to have you.  Here’s some things I never want to forget about the 10 year old Braedon I know and love so much

-I love that you love to read almost anything, obviously  you love Harry Potter the most- what are you going to do now that that series is over?

-You do so well in school.  The other day you came home telling me that you always answer the questions right in school with such a proud tone in your voice, and I’m glad you love learning

-You always try to do the right thing even when you’re mad.  I love your soft heart and how you love others

-You especially like to cook and bake and create things.

-You are an extremely talented writer, I can’t wait to see what you do in the future

-Your favorite color is red, favorite TV show is Mad, favorite food is pizza,

-You love Boise State and really want to try your hand at Tennis (yes TENNIS!)

-You are a great swimmer and even brave enough this year to do the high dive

I love you  my sweet Braedon, and hope in some small way that the next 10 years slow down just a little so that I can watch you grow into a wonderful man.

Love,

Mommy Mom

Four and half years ago I made a decision that has literally changed my life.  In early 2007, after resisting people telling me to become a photographer for years, I just decided to jump in.  It’s the typical cliche story of getting into photography- but true.

When I say photography changed my life.  It did.  I was immersed in website design, contracts, researching equipment, building a brand, finding clients, pricing, products, education.  I also started getting opportunities I never dreamed of.  Of course I set goals for myself, both financial and personal, but I was traveling to Mexico, Hawaii, speaking at conventions, traveling to London, getting involved with a worldwide photography community, shooting editorial spreads and getting paid to take beautiful wedding photos around the country.  Sometimes I’d do photos at a wedding and while editing wish that I had photos like that of my own wedding (we married at 19 and I think all our wedding photos were taken with disposable cameras- seriously, I’m not lying).  I’d go shoot a high school senior, family, or siblings and think- Oh my gosh, I want photos like this of my kids.  I did a few maternity and newborn shoots and think to myself- if only I had photos like this of my kids.

One day I woke up and it had been 3 1/2 years since I’d taken any real photos of my own kids.  In fact, my youngest son had hardly ANY photos of him.  It was ironic.  After years and years of taking photos of them for fun and to put around my house, I had just stopped.  I felt guilty.  I had been so focused on the business and giving other people beautiful photos that I had missed 3 years of my own life.  I thought about my excuses……carrying my big professional camera around to sporting events, school events and family functions seemed pretentious to me.  It was like I would be blaring “HEY LOOK AT MY HUGE CAMERA!”.  Although I’m completely in love with my job and I have no problem telling people what I do, I don’t like to seem showy or flashy.  I tried a few point and shoot cameras but hated them all.  And so, I just didn’t bring anything.

About a year ago I started seeing some pretty cool photos from street photographers online.  They all said they were using an app called Instagram and touted how easy it was to take photos and share.  When I looked into it, I loved it but saw it was only for iphone.  I USED to have an iphone but hated the service and so switched back to Sprint.  So I went on with my daily life, still seeing photos that I loved online from Instagram.  I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me, but about 6 months later, I thought “I wonder if I can use my iphone for all the apps, etc, just not the phone”.  Sure I wouldn’t have a connection unless I was in a wifi area but then I could start using the app.  So I did that and haven’t looked back.

What Instagram has turned into for me, is a way to capture my daily life.  My kids are showing me their diving skills at the pool?  I pull out my iphone and snap a pic.  Everyone is scared stiff on top of the Space Needle in Seattle?  Out comes my iphone to capture the once in a lifetime photo.  I’m sitting on our back patio by the fire pit on one of the last days of summer?  You get the idea….I take out the phone and take a picture.  Then I go inside, choose the picture off my phone add an effect to kind of put some punch into the photo and then instantly I can share on Twitter, Facebook or Flickr.

Sure they’re not perfectly edited photos with great exposure, color, etc.  But they’re memories of my life and I have WAY more photos of my children now.  I’m still trying to find the balance of getting professional photos of my kids, and I do have some professional photos of my kids I have taken that I love (like our Christmas card photos last year)- but these little, square Instagram photos are going into albums and around my house too.

In fact, these photos are going on 2 frames I found at Pier One in my stairway landing.  Here’s the frame- it comes in white or black and it’s only $28!!!  I have 2 and it’s the perfect place for rotating photos of our life via Instagram:

and here’s some of the photos I’ll be hanging up there along with a few others from Facebook and travels we’ve had:

I hope this post goes to show that you don’t always have to have the PERFECT photo to display in your home to showcase your life.  Of course some people will always love that style.  But for me I want to live with memories of my life surrounding me, and I LOVE Instagram for giving that back to me!  Have a great Monday!

Well, actually this isn’t Friday, but I’m going to write it anyway.  As I was getting some images prepared for some sneak peeks of the recent weddings I did in Seattle, I came across an article on MSN.com for the hottest wedding trends around today.  I thought I’d give my perspective on what they mention and maybe add a few more. Here’s a link to the original article HERE.  All of the images posted are from prior weddings I’ve shot around the country.  Hope you enjoy these wedding trends as much as i did!

1.  Food Choice:  As the article talks about Food Trucks and fast food chains becoming popular at weddings, I’m seeing some of this trickle down.  My last wedding served some brazilian BBQ, candy bars and ice cream bars are always a favorite.  One wedding even had a pie bar of home made pies.  I know a friend who just celebrated their 10 year anniversary with a vow renewal and it was all Hawaiian themed with guava cake and traditional Hawaiian food.  One of my very first weddings did a pig roast and in lieu of a traditional wedding cake did s’mores!

2.  Finding things for the kids:  More and more weddings are welcoming the kids, after all it’s a celebration of those people we love in our lives right?  But then there’s the task of finding something that will keep the kids busy.  Well “kids tabels/areas” are a big hit at weddings.  From paper table cloths with crayons and art supplies for them to draw on, to special favors just for the kids, it’s a big hit (even for the adults)

3.  Photo and Video Booths:  There are almost a staple at weddings these days.  It a fun way for guests to congratulate the bride and groom and show how much fun everyone is having.  Of course I prefer the Photo Booth with a chalkboard or white board to write messages and fun props, but video is great too!  This gives a fun element to your wedding and you get personalized memories!

4.  COLOR!:  This season and well into next color is the chic way to add personality to your wedding.  Pink or Magenta and jewel tones is all the rage right now, as well as pairing it with chartreause green, vivid orange and purple.  You may not think that those go well for a wedding, but believe me, it makes things pop and everything looks vibrant and elegant at the same time!

5.  Ribbon Details:  All sorts of ribbon details are all the rage right now.  It adds a different element to the decor.  At my very last wedding they used ribbon to hang all the guest table seating and it was great!

6.  Shoes:  Long gone are the standard white or ivory wedding shoes.  Modern brides and grooms are wearing brightly colored shoes and socks that match their wedding colors.  I don’t see this trend going away any time soon:

7.  Signs:  You will find all sorts of signs at weddings these days.  From directing the guests to certain areas, to wall art that the couple can hang in their home, signs are a hot trend going on right now.

8.  Sparklers and Bubbles:  The traditional rice and confetti is no longer the standard send away end to the wedding.  Sparklers have the the rage for a few years now and I’m seeing more and more bubbles at my own weddings.

There’s some awesome ideas in the article on seating for the ceremony (I’m absolutely in love with the “winding road” placement!), and incorporating rainbow colors into the wedding.  I’ve seen dresses of all different colors, and also the dress color the same but different styles with different shoes.  Whatever it is that makes your wedding unique, definitely try and incorporate a few of these great trends for your wedding!

Dear Riley,

I have many nicknames for you….Riley Roo, Ririe, Smiley Riley.  I know sometimes it embarasses you, but I’m trying to keep you my little Riley for just a little bit longer!  It’s shocking to me that you are already 8 years old and funny that here we are 8 years later, back in Boise where you were born.  I still remember the day you came and how hard it was to leave you in the NICU to get better for a whole week.  I thought my heart was going to break when you didn’t get to come home with me.

I get you Riley.  You and me are definitely cut from the same cloth.  You like things clean, organized and you like pleasing people so much!  I almost cried tonight when your little brother threw a fit because he wanted the biggest cupcake and it was yours.  After a few seconds you told him he could have it.  It melts my heart when you stick behind and make sure that someone is walking with me all the time or helping me out.

Now you are 8 years old!  I remember when I turned 8.  You’ll be baptized, or “bathtized” as you like to say, into our church and I’m so proud of you for making that decision to do it.  I love that you’re happy go lucky, thoughtful, a jokester and soft hearted.  I love it when you’re watching a show on tv and laugh like no one else is around because whatever is happening is funny to you.  I also love how you ask me to save some of my covers for you in the morning when you crawl into my bed because you’re cold.  You have a daredevil streak in you that sometimes takes my breath away, but then you can be so gentle, helping and kind to everyone younger than you.

Someday, when you’re a big strong man, you’re going to be the BEST father.  I know and feel it deep inside.  I’m so proud of you when I see you helping out the little kids and babies around us.  They always love you and you love to play with them.

Now as I sit here with tears running down my face because I love the person that you are growing to be, I watch another year go by and just love you more and more.  Happy Birthday my Riley Roo, I hope you had the most wonderful day!

Love,

Mommy

My little man turned 8 today and we celebrated all day long.  We started out with his choice of breakfast, which was pancakes.  I secretly like that they still ask me to draw whip cream faces on their pancakes.  I wonder how much longer that will last?

Next we visited our new neighbor friends next door.  They moved into their house only a few short weeks before we moved into ours and go to our church.  They have 3 girls, one of which is Kasen’s age, but we went over and the kids jumped on the trampoline with the sprinkler underneath and had popsicles.  Riley was in Heaven.  After that we hurried home, because Papa took off work early to take Riley to the movie theatre to see Captain America.  The boys have found a new past time here in Idaho that they like to do with my dad and it’s going to the big theatre

When they came home we had Riley’s favorite dinner of Penne Pasta and Alfredo sauce with garlic bread (note to all my friends out there- I am NOT the best cook in the world, so no photo evidence will be shown of the quick dinner I threw together.  All that matters is that Riley loved it and said it was better than Olive Garden!- oh how I wish he could be 8 forever!)

Lastly, my kids this year have gone the non traditional route for cakes and Riley requested cupcakes for his birthday.  While I totally wish that we had a Shannon here to make the most divine cupcakes I’ve ever had, alas, I made them myself again too.  You can’t really mess up basic cupcakes, so Riley loved them and blew out all his candles.

After that it was present time…..well part present time.  Riley’s BIG present is waiting for him in Washington and he’ll get it this weekend, but he opened up others tonight.  At first they all looked just like regular old birthday cards…. (p.s. Riley is at the stage where he’s pretty much toothless!  I love these pictures!)

But he soon found out that they were filled with what he adores right now………money and gift cards.  It makes him feel so important to go up and pay for his own stuff!  Kasen on the other hand was incensed that Riley didn’t get any actual TOYS! and he let Riley know how awful that was….over and over and over again

This weekend we’ll be heading back to Seattle and Riley has requested to go up to the Space Needle and dine at The Cheesecake Factory.  Funny how in all the years we were in Washington, we never visited the Space Needle!  Happy Birthday RILEY!!!!

Dear Kasey,

I can hardly believe that today has come and gone!  Sometimes I look at you and I just want to freeze time and sit and hold you there forever, delaying the tick tock of the clock, every second making you that much older.  As a mother I never dreamed that you and your brothers would grow up so fast.  I remember sitting on the couch at 3 am feeding you a bottle.  It was me and you staring into each others eyes.  I guess with you being the youngest, I’ve just recognized how fast time goes.  I remember that day you decided to make your entrance into this world.  It was hot, I was miserable and when the time came, I couldn’t get to the hospital fast enough!  I worried about what was going to happen, if you would be ok.  After a few days basking in the light, you were!  I’ll never forget this picture of you….

I wasn’t allowed to take you out of the lights, but when I would come over to fee you a bottle and touch you, you’d turn that “sunglass” head toward me every time.  Secretly I’d take you out for a minute or two and cuddle you because I couldn’t resist you holding onto that finger of mine.

But now your 4 years old!  I’m so proud of you for making it to this day!  I know it’s been a long time coming.  You’ve been asking me for about 6 months when you were going to be 4 and telling me that it was just taking too long.  Well it’s here Kasey!  You’re 4 and you are so full of life!  You love to sing, you love your trains, and you love your family.  Here’s some things that I never want to forget about  you, 4 year old Kasey!

-You have a freaky sense of smell.  I’m going to miss when you grow out of coming up and sniffing me out of the blue and asking me to smell too.  You tell me I smell like flowers and then give me hugs.

-I know you’ll grow out of it, but you only have one volume and that’s loud.  Sometimes it’s so loud it hurts my ears when you’re just talking, but it’s totally, 100% you and I think I’ll miss it someday

-I secretly giggle inside when you call people “buddy boy”.  I don’t know where you got it from but it’s funny.

-Sometimes I listen to you talk and think you’re a playback microphone of me.  Like when you told your brother to “Shut it” at Nanny’s house the other day.  I guess I better pay more attention to what I say in front of you and to you.

I know this is getting long, but there’s just so much I want to say to you!  I think I’ll die next year when you turn 5 and head off to kindergarten!  I love you so much…..I love the little boy you are today and the big boy you’ll grow into some day.  I hope you keep your zest for life with you always.  You love to live life and I love you so much for it!  Happy Birthday baby boy, I’m adoring the person you growing to be!

Love,

Mommy

As you can see my baby boy has turned 4 today!  We had a fantastic day.  He woke up asking for pancakes for his birthday breakfast- with syrup, peanut butter and whipped cream.

Next our very best friends from Washington stopped by on their way back from vacation.  I’m so glad that he got to tell Jackie he was finally 4!  After they ate lunch with us and left to travel on, we gave him his first big boy bike and helmet.  He caught on fast and was in 7th heaven following his big brother down the street.

Lastly we finished the night out and my mom and dad’s for dinner, presents and cake!  In the true spirit of being uniquely Kasen, he requested a donut birthday cake and we delivered.  All he wanted for his birthday was to have balloons and a bay blade, which he got.  He also got a few more Thomas toys to add to his arsenal.

Nathan even got to sing happy birthday over the phone with everyone!  What a great day we had and Kasen, I hope it was the best 4th birthday you’ll ever have!

I’m so grateful that this little guy is a part of our family.  We wouldn’t be complete without him!

Playground Toucan

London Taxis

Gradeschool Fieldtrip- London 2011

Stormy Night

Cowboy Brothers