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family love | Peoria, IL Family Photographer

July 26, 2010 – 8:06 am

whew! what a week I’ve had! 4 session galleries proofed and posted, 3 blog sneak peeks, 1 birth session finished, orders placed, a newborn session, STILL working on my new website unveil…plus, being a wife & momma. My life is busy to say the least, but I love it :) Last Friday (as in 10 days ago) I had the honor & pleasure of shooting a fellow photographer’s family! Sara from Treasured Images by Sara! It was such a blast! We did all kinds of fun things like romped around in a field of wild flowers, played in a pond, splashed in a fountain, painted toenails and had some fun with the family iPad! That was their session! Isn’t that fun? I’m sure it was more like a fun family night out for the kids….which honestly, is my goal for all my family sessions. She asked me to do what I love to do the most: don’t pose them and capture real life interactions between them. Just my style :) Thank you SO much Sara & Brandon for being so, so patient while I worked on these and also for being such a joy to work with. Lots of creative ideas and just fun people to be around…good times!

A :)

PS: don’t forget, they’ll get a FREE 5×7 for every 10 comments they receive on this blog post!

By amanda e. | Comments (15)

Sweet little J turns One | Peoria, IL child photographer

July 17, 2010 – 2:48 pm

Here is a sneak peek for a very patient family. They’ve been eagerly awaiting seeing a few images from their session last Monday. Their sweet little girl was turning one, so we had the session on her actual birthday! She was soooo sweet! Gentle, inquisitive, happy…everything a little girl should be! She was having so much collecting sticks & pieces of wood. She was joined by big brother, mommy, daddy & Sadie the dog. It was a scorcher, but everyone did perfectly. Thanks again Tammy & Chad for choosing me! You guys were great to work with…I had a lot of fun! Mommy was worried I didn’t get anything…hope this puts her mind at ease :)

PS: as always, they’ll receive a FREE 5×7 print for every 10 comments they receive on this blog post! Show some blog love!

Did I mention that she had the *yummiest* little baby feet ever??? :)

By amanda e. | Also posted in babies, children, family | Comments (14)

B Family sneak peek | Peoria, IL Family Photographer

July 17, 2010 – 12:03 am

I am soooo behind on sneak peeks again. I’m so sorry everyone. Thanks for bearing with me. This session is from last weekend. I have 2 more sneak peeks that I’m planning to get up this weekend. Anyway, back to these guys. They are very beloved clients of mine who moved away to Colorado about 2 years, shortly after their first session with me. Well, they were back visiting family (who were also clients of mine 2 years ago) and decided to have a family session (including cousins & grandparents) while they’re back! It was fantastic to see everyone again! I can’t believe the little baby girl I remember is a 2 year old little lady now. Time truly flies. They decided to have the session at Papa & Nina’s beautiful home. It was the perfect location. Good light, good laughs. Thanks again Virginia & Evan for coming back…you guys are always a pleasure to work with (as is the rest your extended family). Enjoy!

Remember: they’ll get a FREE 5×7 for every 10 comments on this blog post!

By amanda e. | Also posted in children, family | Comments (23)

It’s here! 2009 Photo of the year contest!

January 18, 2010 – 11:59 pm

It’s so hard to believe it’s that time again. Time for me to choose my favorite image from each 2009 session. In a way, it’s easy. Every time I shoot a session, I always walk away with my own personal favorites. They’re definitely not always my clients’ favorites, but they end up being near and dear to my heart. Usually because of the memory that goes along with the image. The emotion. The unadulterated joy, the warmth, the love, the belly laugh…you get the idea. Well, I’ve picked MY faves from ‘09 and now it’s your turn. Voting will be open now through Friday, January 22nd at Midnight. I will announce the winners on Saturday. Below you will find 17 images. Only 3 will win. That’s right, 3 winners this year! Check out the prizes:

1st place - CD with 3 digital images of your choice ($195 value)

2nd place - Black leather wallet brag book with 10 prints of your choice ($65 value)

3rd place - $50 Amanda E. Gift Card

But not only do my clients win, the voters can too! Simply leave a comment at the bottom of this post with your name and e-mail address and I will randomly choose 1 voter to receive a $50 Amanda E. Gift Card! But not only that…did you know we’re on Facebook? Become a fan and be included in the random drawing for an additional $50 Amanda E. Gift Card on the Facebook page! Become a fan HERE

ok, let’s get to it…

By amanda e. | Comments (58)

“L” Family Sneak Peek…

June 18, 2009 – 10:43 pm

Here is a really fun family session I had the pleasure of shooting on Monday. They picked the most fun location…a cemetary! They love to hang out there and I can see why, it was beautiful and so quiet. But even better than the location, were their outfits! The Mom hand made the boys’ whole outfits, as well as her dress…how cool is that? How can you not love those ties! Anyway, thanks again guys for the fun new spot to shoot, for braving the humidity and for being so patient while I get your pics up. Hope you enjoy them…

A :)

By amanda e. | Comments (4)

hello, hello, hello!

May 19, 2009 – 4:05 pm

Boy has it been a while! For those of you who are faithful blog stalkers, you’ve probably been wondering where I’ve been? Well, I took a short break…as in a 3 month long break…also known as a trimester! Yes, that’s right, I’m very pleased and excited to announce that my husband and I are expecting another baby this fall! I do apologize for my absence, but unfortunately my 1st trimesters always hit me very hard. But I’m happy to report that I’m now well into my 2nd trimester and feeling great. Since I’m due in early November, this brings a shortened fall shooting schedule for me. Last year, I did the bulk of my work in October and November…everyone knows it’s the “busy season.” But this year, that won’t be the case. I’ll be doing sessions up through September 30th and no later than that. So if you were hoping for a fall session, be sure to contact me right away and get scheduled.

Now onto business. As of Sunday, I’m now doing sessions again. Although I literally had to dust off my camera, it felt great to be shooting again. I can’t believe it’s already time for my baby planner’s 6 month shoot! This little guy has grown leaps & bounds since I last saw him. He’s still expressive as ever, of course. He’s such a dream baby to photograph…always completely content and happy go lucky…always has been! So here are some gems from his shoot. Be sure to keep checking back, I have 2 more shoots scheduled for this weekend…

Thanks! :)

By amanda e. | Comments (7)

And the winner is…..

January 31, 2009 – 10:43 am

First of all, thank you SO much to everyone who took the time to vote and comment! There was a huge turnout for the contest(s), which is just awesome! This one was a pretty tight race. But in the end, the winner is……

#3

Congratulations M Family!! He was followed closely by #4 :)

Thanks again everyone! I’ll be contacting the winner of the $50 Gift Card today by e-mail!

Amanda :)

By amanda e. | Comments (1)

Look who’s 3 months! {Mr. B sneak peek}

January 26, 2009 – 4:26 pm

I had a 3 month session with my baby planner yesterday, Mr. B! I can’t believe how much he’s grown! Remember him here? He’s just so grown up already! He’s rolling over, smiling, he loves his hands and is *this* close to giggling :) He was so happy during his shoot…probably because he got to hang out nakey most of the time, lol. And keeping with the 3-4 month shoot tradition, I got about an hour out of him and then he passed right out! But he couldn’t have dosed off in a cuter spot (you’ll see why when you scroll down). Thanks again guys, I can’t wait to see him in 3 more months!

xo

Amanda :)

By amanda e. | Comments (3)

Photo of the Year: Final Round!

January 26, 2009 – 4:02 pm

Ok everybody, thanks so much for all the votes so far…but this is the round that really counts! These final four images are now competing to win! Please cast your vote and crown your favorite image “2008 Photo of the Year!” Remember, the winner will receive an 11×14 mounted print in an easel! And if you’re not a client, but would like to be, don’t forget to leave a comment with your name & e-mail address, for your chance to win a $50 gift card!

Remember, this poll will be active for 5 days only, closing this Friday, January 30th. The results are hidden this time, so you’ll have to come back on Saturday when I announce the winner!

Happy Voting!

#1

#2

#3

#4

By amanda e. | Comments (11)

Photo of the Year Contest: Round 2!

January 20, 2009 – 1:15 pm

You all got out there and voted for Round 1 and I’m very happy to announce that the two photos advancing to the final round are:

Photo No. 3 - with 111 votes
Photo No. 12 - with 101 votes

Congrats you guys!

Now it’s time for Round 2 of the contest for the “favorite” photo of 2008! I love too many to pick, so I’m letting you decide! I’ve chosen my top 25 faves from 2008 sessions. The contest will run in 3 rounds. The first 13 images were in Round 1, and now the next 12 are in Round 2 and then the top two images from each round will compete in the Final Four Round! Each round will be open for voting for 5 days only. Please only vote once per round. Now go get the word out! E-mail all of your family & friends, post on your blog or Facebook, do whatever it takes to get votes for YOUR photo! The winner will receive an 11×14 mounted print on an easel (winner chooses image from session)! Isn’t that exciting?!

Not a client, but would like to be? You can still win too! After you vote, leave a comment on this blog post with your valid e-mail address and first name. I will choose one winner at random to win a $50 Gift Card valid towards a photo session in 2009 or prints!!

One more thing. Did you know Amanda E. Photography is on Facebook? If you haven’t already, click this link become a fan… It’s fun!

So without further ado, Round 2…

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

Don’t forget to leave a comment below, if you want to be entered into the $50 Gift Card drawing! (don’t leave comments on the poll, just the blog) Happy voting!

By amanda e. | Comments (14)
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