amanda e. photography | the blog

life is a journey | Peoria, IL Child Photographer

amanda e. — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:36:49 +0000

So this is a sneak peek from my session LAST Friday. So sorry you guys for making you wait so long. This week has been a tough one. But I’m so glad to finally have some images to show you guys. This family is super cool, let me just say. They already had 3 super, insanely cute (and sweet) kids and about 7 weeks ago, they adopted a sweet little 18 month old girl from Africa. She just loves them SO much and the feeling is mutual. She’s so attached already and it’s amazing. Lots of love & connection there. And I love that. I got to spend last Friday evening romping around the beach with them. How fun is that? And it marked the 3rd session this summer that I have come home with wet, sandy feet The weather and light were gorgeous as well. Unfortunately, one of the boys was under the weather and rested in the car, but the other 3 kids were on it! Lots of sandy toes, cheeky smiles, silly faces, giggles and dum dums…couldn’t have asked for a better night or a better group! Hope you like your images Mandy and thanks again for choosing me!

xo - A

Oops…almost forgot: they’ll receive a FREE 5×7 print for every 10 comments they receive on this blog post!

so loved | Peoria, IL Newborn Photographer

amanda e. — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 05:59:55 +0000

Here is a sneak peek from a newborn session I had over the weekend. This one was so special. I’ve known this couple for many, many years. High school, working at Target in college, they were at our wedding and we were at theirs. So to now be able to capture these first special moments with their new baby girl was such an honor for me. But special also, because they adopted this sweet baby girl at birth only a week or so ago. Adoption is very near and dear to my heart. I think it’s so incredibly selfless and amazing. They love this little girl SO much. They’ve waited so long to hold her in their arms and she’s finally here and she’s perfect. She was such an angel for me too…she slept so much and so well, I’m not even sure what her eyes look like We had perfect light on a perfect day…everything just fell into place. But enough of my gushing…I’ll let you meet her Thanks again you guys…enjoy!

Oops, I almost forgot: they’ll receive a FREE 5×7 for every 10 comments they receive on this blog post!

the boy is back in town | Peoria, IL family photographer

amanda e. — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:46:47 +0000

wowee, I’m really staying on top of blogging this month! Yay August! This is a sneak peek for my Saturday night session. And the cuteness just continues. Are you surprised? Well this little guy was just too much. Too much cuteness for me. They came down all the way from Michigan to visit family and (of course) get some awesome pics of E. He’s 14 months already. His momma and I go waaaaaay back. Like high school back, lol. It seems like just yesterday she was pregnant with him and I with my Conrad. Anyway, back to this little guy. He was so, super cute, smiley, funny and friendly. He grabbed my hand and walked with me within 20 minutes or so. Love that. And he was dressed super cute too. I am still in love with his gorilla shirt. And then there’s his hair…he has THE best hair. Crazy, fun curls. Just like his momma (I’ve always been jealous of her tight curls). Ok, enough of my rambling…I’ll let the images speak for themselves now. Thanks again Leah and John…this was such an honor…

As always: they’ll receive a FREE 5×7 print for every 10 comments they receive on this blog post!

Mr. B is 4 months | Peoria, IL baby photographer

amanda e. — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 03:23:27 +0000

Can you believe THIS little guy is four months old already? What? How can that be? I know I can’t believe four months have passed. He is still perfect in every way though. He’s grown so much. Such a perfect, healthy baby. He was so happy & inquisitive during his session…there’s lots to see & do when you’re four months old I can’t wait to see how much he’s changed again in a few more months. His momma is having so much fun with his outfits, hats & shoes…and I can relate…dressing a baby boy (while challenging) is pretty darn fun! Thanks for a lovely Saturday morning Barry & Ashley! Your little guy is the best!

Don’t forget: 1 FREE 5×7 print for every 10 comments they receive on this blog post!

Miss A {almost} One Year | Peoria, IL baby photographer

amanda e. — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:39:29 +0000

I can’t believe this little girly is going to be ONE in a few short weeks! Can’t believe it. I’ve known her momma now for about a year. And let me tell you…she couldn’t have lucked out any more in the parents department. She is SO loved. And they’re pretty darn hilarious too. She’s such a little cutie with her big pouty blue eyes, little button nose and whispy blond hair. Their Friday night casual backyard session was a lot of fun. And perfect weather too. In fact all of my sessions this past weekend had gorgeous weather. What a gift, because it’s nasty humid again now. Anyway, thanks again Alicia & Steve for honoring me by choosing me to capture your sweet baby girl as she grows into a little lady. Hope you enjoy the sneak peek…

PS: they’ll receive a FREE 5×7 print for every 10 comments they receive on this blog post!

the newest cub | Peoria, IL Newborn Photographer

amanda e. — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:46:56 +0000

Here is a sneak peek from a newborn session I had this past Sunday. Not only that, but about 2 weeks ago I got to shoot this little guy’s birth. He is *uber* sweet. Super smiley, smushy lips, soft blond hair…just as cute as can be. And he couldn’t have been welcomed by a more loving family. You’ll see what I mean in these images. They all just adore him. And you can’t blame them…he’s so perfect. Thank you so much Julie & Kevin for choosing me to document his birth and now capture these images of your beautiful family…it has been such an honor! enjoy…

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

family love | Peoria, IL Family Photographer

amanda e. — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:06:42 +0000

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!

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

Sweet little J turns One | Peoria, IL child photographer

amanda e. — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 19:48:12 +0000

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???

B Family sneak peek | Peoria, IL Family Photographer

amanda e. — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 05:03:13 +0000

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!

Sisters | Peoria, IL child photography

amanda e. — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 05:48:26 +0000

annnnnnd, we’re caught up! yay! Before I get to this fabulous sneak peek, I have some fun news to announce! You may have noticed a new logo/watermark gracing my blog images lately. Well, in about a week, Amanda E. Photography is getting a complete face lift! I’m so incredibly excited! I’ll be launching a brand new look, logo, color scheme, website and even the blog will get some updating! It’s going to be super fun. So stay tuned…

Now onto the images. This was a sisters’ session from this past Friday. And such cutie pie sisters they were. I had so much fun with them (don’t I always though?). They ran, they jumped, they danced, they loved, they laughed. I broke out Mr. Monkey, as I usually do, and the 4 year old absolutely fell in love with him. I mean, most kids love him (you’ll see him float in and out of images) but she REALLY connected with him. I felt awful when I had to take him back home But I promised her that at least she would always have these images of the two of them together. I hope she likes them. Thanks again you guys for traveling all the way from Chicago for the session! It was great to meet you and I hope you love the memories that were made…

As always, they’ll receive a FREE 5×7 for every 10 comments they receive on this blog post…show the love people!