exactly

WHERE does time go?!? i almost fell over when i opened the door and saw two big kiddos at our front door for their session. and for some reason i have a way of thinking that even though i am getting older, kiddos don't. hmmm i think i need to work on that! but i had an such an amazing time catching up with alexis and cameron, and capturing smiles along the way. these two were so well behaved, i was impressed beyond belief! alexis is wise beyond her years and just has the most delightful personality. her sense of maturity is almost unbelieveable. cameron is the sweetest, most handsome guy that had so many stories to tell of his latest sports adventures. he truly is your all american boy. i had a blast and can't wait for a family session in the fall!

...handful(s)

times THREE. yep, this super momma is pretty remarkable! three kiddos, under 4 years old. can you say WOW?!? i certainly did! she has got to be one of the most patient, loving mommas ever! i spent the better half of a saturday with her and the family. and if odds were in my favor, once daddy left, that left only one set of hands for three kiddos. (which i know is a process that mom has mastered) but guess who got some sweet baby snuggling time in...yep, this gal! if i said it once, i've said it a million times, babies are amazing.

i think the part of our session that melted my heart was when i asked if momma had anything special that she wanted to include in the portraits, she looked around, said "no not really." and then said, "oh yes wait." she reached around her neck and took her necklace off. ok, so if that wasn't sweet enough, the necklace was engraved with words that i know momma holds very close to her heart. ...and it took all i had not to let my tears flow like the river.

...i'm back!

after what felt like a r0LLer CoaSTer, i'm so glad to be feeling almost 100%! without boring you with the details, basically i'm a "medical mystery" and continue with follow ups with the doctor. i have an amazing support system, and there is no doubt in my mind that they got me through!

...better days are on the way,

(i promise)

it would only have come from my best friend, who just so happens to be my sister. she knew i was in a sort of tidal wave and gave me an adorable plaque to remind me sunshine and smooth sailing was ahead.

and it's ironic because sometimes the ones closest to us, that help us out the most don't get the praise that is owed to them, i am guilty of that.

basically, my sister is my hero, always has been and always will be. she and i share a bond that is indescribable.

and the saying, "everything happens for a reason"...yeah it does, and she is my proof. 

so i was so eager give back to someone who has given me so much. i was ready to capture a family portrait, to include their new addition to big pug brother, scooter, english bulldog sunny (aka mr. sunny sun sunshine)

and just how amazing is my sister? after seeking a companion for scooter, countless hours researching decided on an english bulldog. rather than purchasing one, my sister (and her equally wonderful husband) decided to adopt. 

and in comes sunny, 70 pounds of pure lovin', head shakin' drool slinging adorableness.

the adoption wasn't all fields of daises, sunny has some trust issues, through no fault of his own and requires attention, actually make that EXTRA attention. i was completely taken aback by the sheer amount of work both my sister and brother have put into sunny and making him a part of their family. so to be a part of their first family portrait...pure bliss!

we started with the two of them, and i mean really i probably could have closed my eyes and snapped the portrait, yes they are just that photogenic....gorgeous people, inside and out.

and then it came time for the group! and my sister was so anxious to have their first family portrait. scooter sat with his daddy while my sister attempted to wrangle the seventy pound furbaby to sit in the picture. i could only imagine what sunny was thinking, these people are so silly, i'm not going to sit next to them, i'm going to get treats from my auntie (ME). so i realized that bribing him with treats maybe wasn't the best plan of action.

 

<---yep that's sunny, walking right out of the portrait, LOVE it. and then my sister, so excited to have him back (further away from her than she thought) says oh amanda, get it get it...so i did!

 thank goodness she has long arms! haha

  and sunny, the smart brute he is, finally agrees to sit with his family, and refuses to look at me, however 

scooters expression is priceless! 

and then, sunny said i've had enough and decided to get some play time in with his brother, with a little game of tag....

but then, ah ha! we got it! yep! that's it....thanks for bringing sunshine to my world!

...so if a session is like a cupcake

this one was complete with frosting!

piece of cake i tell you!

so i cannot believe its been a whole year since i got to catch up with this awesome family. i was totally humbled when i was asked to come back to do portraits again this year for them. no surprise, everyone was ready on time, coordinating clothes...AND with a new addition to the family. (((SQUEAL with excitement))) a furbaby...

oh and i'll have you know, she stole my heart. 

when our portraits were done, i really didn't want to leave, thats how amazing this family is.

i'm lucky, yes i am!

forever begins today....

and i was astounded to be a part of today! 

this was my first wedding in a couple of years, wait, actually about 4 years.  for a while i took a reluctant break from photography, which is the one THING i love the most.

i love babies and people, but if i had to love a thing, be it cars, house, money or status, photography is the thing i LOVE! i was thrilled to welcome photography back into my life, and a few months later, a request for a wedding photographer that i just couldn't turn down.  

when we met for their engagement session, it's as if we picked up right where we left off, never missing a beat.  and laura, that is why i love you.  you are still the same hilarious, loveable and down to earth girl that i remember from yesterdays...

i've toyed with the idea of focusing my energy on babies and families, seniors, and events...but i do believe that after documenting laura and darrell's day of love i have a renewed passion for weddings.

and unlike myself (or at least how i picture it) laura did not have a list of portraits that she "had to have" her requests were simple and i swear, laura was the most laid back bride who was just thrilled that the much anticipated day had finally arrived and she was ready to celebrate!

but i mentioned LOVE, and to philosophers, well versed authors, and poets, love is described as a feeling.

at times uncontrollable, unexplainable, and better to have had once than never at all.

but on laura and darrell's special day, i saw love...throughout the day, simple gestures and looks.  it wasn't until i began the process of ohhhing and awwwing over the portraits in the days that followed that i realized i was able to capture love....and if one hasn't seen love, but perhaps merely felt it (which is amazing to say the least)...ladies and gentlemen, THIS is LOVE.

after every storm...

there is a rainbow. we weathered the heatwave, stayed grounded during the earthquake and survived hurricane irene. and laura and darrell were clearly my rainbow! i was thrilled when laura, a longtime classmate and friend contacted me about her upcoming wedding! 

it was great to meet the man that has the key to her heart, and these two share a bond that is truly unique! i am so excited for the great things next month has in store! stay posted for updates!

oh and can i just say, laura you ROCKED the boots!