by Amy | Feb 14, 2013 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Hey all! Happy Valentine’s Day. I’ve always liked this holiday…even though I spent a lot of V-days dateless at home or out with the girls. Yes, believe it or not, this Awkward Annie wasn’t too popular with the boys growing up. {Crazy, I know.}
At any rate, I hope you find something to fall in love with today. Even if it’s just a new series on Netflix. {I recommend Pretty Little Liars or Revenge…or Freaks and Geeks–If you are looking for a date with the boob tube.}
While I was down in the dirty south I fell head over heels for a baby named Lydia Joy. Holy smokes this is a cute one, folks. Her momma and I are friends, and tragically I headed to Practically Canada before she graced the world with her presence. So while I was in town we set up a portrait session for her. I’m so glad I did. Enjoy this LOVE-ly sneak peek. The full session will be coming to a facebook page near you next week!
by Amy | Feb 4, 2013 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Last Sunday I had the fun privilege of photographing maternity portraits for a dear friend of mine…who just so happens to be the cutest little pregnant gal I’ve ever known. Remember when you were a kid and you put a ball or a balloon under your shirt and pretended to be pregnant? Yeah, she pretty much looks like that. Just so precious. Without further ado, please say hello to Tiffany, Kyle and Wiley.
Since the weather warmed up to positive 20 degrees {F} we even took a few shots outside.
I told Tiffany to bring along anything she wanted featured in the photos with her. To my wonderful surprise she and Kyle showed up with Wiley in tow. He is so cute and spunky. Adding him to the mix in these portrait was so fun. I’m pretty sure I laughed until I cried at some of his antics. Oh, and let me be clear…I didn’t tell the dog to get on Kyle’s shoulders. They told me that’s just where he likes to sit. What a ham!
Thanks guys! I had a great time. Can’t wait to meet that sweet baby girl!
Amy
PS–Love this session? Check out the full gallery at the Amy Allender facebook page. And while you’re there…you should like it, so you don’t miss a thing!
by Amy | Jan 31, 2013 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Last week I posted a sneak peek of Danica and Robin’s photo session. Here is the full deal. Two sweet sisters. One sugary baby–one spicy three year old. I had a blast setting my “mobile studio” up in their very own living room so Danica could be entertained while we did Robin’s photos and Robin could nap while we shot her big sis’s portraits. It worked out great.
Before I unleash the cuteness, I’ve got to thank their wonderful mother, Wyrene for being a guinea pig and letting me test my new set up in her home. She’s the best.
For even more of these cuties, be sure to go over to the Facebook page tomorrow. I’ll be posting the full session there. Oh, and you might as well click the “like” button while you are there. That way you won’t miss anything awesome.
Amy
by Amy | Jan 25, 2013 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
This week I had the good fortune of photographing two beautiful little girls. I was so excited to edit the photos…so I’m thrilled to be bringing you a sneak peek tonight! Without further ado, feast your eyes on Baby Robin and her big-girl sister, Danica.
This session was especially exciting for me because recently I’ve stocked up on props and back drops. {And more are on the way!} See…I’ve never worked in a place where outdoor photography was not a year round possibility. So I’m getting creative and making this whole winter thing work to my advantage. This session was so fun. Robin is precious, as you can see…and a joy to shoot.
Now meet Danica. I just love this girl’s personality. She is a bit of a tom-boy…but boy does she clean up nice! She was eager to give me her “Princess Smile.” But when I handed her a strand of pretty beads to play with she didn’t pretend to wear them. Instead she quickly told me that it was a snake that had poison and could bite. Hey…whatever floats your boat. I love a girl with imagination and attitude.
Amy
by Amy | Jan 4, 2013 | Blog, The Art of Adventure, The Art of the Moment
A while back when things when I was feeling a little down about my {lack of} work situation my phone rang. Weird number…so I screened it. Voicemail…interesting.
It was a guy named Matt from a production company called Studio Now. Long story short, they work on a national scale to coordinate productions projects for businesses with local freelancers. He asked if I was available for a shoot. And after really looking into this place that called me out of the blue everything looked legit. So I agreed.
That decision took me on an adventure yesterday. I traveled for my first time into Oil Territory. Despite what you might think, not all of North Dakota is pumping oil. Minot sure isn’t. That all goes on pretty much straight west of here. Williston is the major hub. But I didn’t go that far. I stopped in Tioga, ND. A tiny town very populated by rough necks {that’s the real term for oil guys} and construction workers.
My shoot was at the Wanzek Housing Facility. AKA, a man camp. Man camp? See…there are so many people moving here to work there is no where near enough housing. On top of that, many of the men who come to work, do so at the cost of leaving their families behind in another city. They secure a sweet paying gig on the oil field…but their family cannot relocate simply because there is no where for them to live. That’s where the man camps come in.
They are temporary housing units. Some are really nice. Some are pretty much just shady barracks, sometimes without good showers. Wanzek is a very nice man camp.
They have furnished used FEMA trailers that men can rent out. They have their own bathroom, an extra bedroom, access to a lounge and fitness center.
I was a little nervous about going to do the shoot. The people of Minot {the natives at least} are pretty down on the whole “oil thing.” They describe the oil region as hectic and dangerous. So I didn’t quite know what to expect. And maybe it is. Mind you, I was just scratching the surface…at a family owned facility.
It’s just crazy to me that there can be nothing for an hour’s drive, then–BOOM–you’ve hit the boom. Truth be told, it’s a pretty desolate drive. Beautiful scenery but not much as far as civilization is concerned.
On the way home I stopped in a town called Stanley. The folks at Wanzek told me that that’d be my best bet if I wanted lunch or gas before I hit Minot. It’s about 30 miles into the drive back home. I popped into a cafe on Main Street where I was served a delightful philly cheese steak sandwich. There were construction workers and oil workers and old ladies having book club all dining together. Business was hopping. And I wondered if it was the same 10 years ago.
As I sat and watched CNN on the TV in the corner it occurred to me that change will come. Change will bring new people and faces into our lives. They will be different from us. They’ll have a background that we may not be able to relate to. But we have a choice. We can be the chipper waitress from Joyce’s Cafe. Serving each other with a smile. Eager to know who will be the next “regular” in our life. Eager to memorize each others “usual order.”
Or we can resist the change and all the things that come with it. We can be like on particularly crabby apple that attends my senior adult fitness classes. Picking at the things that are new and unusual. Turning our mouth down at differences.
Either way…change will happen. And we’ll all be happier if we are working at Joyce’s Cafe.
Amy
by Amy | Dec 25, 2012 | Blog, The Art of Design, The Art of Faith, The Art of the Moment
As usual, I had good intentions of writing to you diligently while I’ve been home in Elkhart {IN}. I also had good intentions of working out…since I teach a triple {three classes in one day} the day after we return home. {Woof.} I even brought me super sweet new Brooks home. But guess what? I didn’t do either. I hope you don’t hate me…or even worse…disown me. Or shun me, like Dwight Schrute to Andy Bernard on the Office.
I’m digressing.
I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Over the years that feeling deep in the pit of my stomach…you know the one…the excited, can’t-hardly-sleep, what-will-morning-bring feeling–well, it’s faded a bit. But it has been replaced by a new feeling. One of a deeper relationship with Jesus and a better understanding of what His birth really meant.
Both are good. However…I’ve got to say I like the latter even more that anxiously waiting for Santa.
I hope you do too.
Thanks for sticking with me. I wish you could all be on my Christmas card list. But I have enough trouble getting a very few cards out on time. {Some are still sitting in my car, awaiting the USPS.} So here is your card. Straight from me {and Derek} to you. It’s a little different than the one we put in the mail. That’s a long awkward story. Maybe I’ll tell it to you someday. I love you all.
The back side reads:
“Them little lights aren’t twinkling.” “I know, Art…and thanks for noticing.”
It’s a quote from Christmas Vacation. Drumroll please…
Have a great day with your family.
Amy
by Amy | Dec 20, 2012 | Blog, The Art of Adventure, The Art of the Moment
Christmas is a magical time, no matter where you are…but I’ve come to believe that it might be a little extra magical the further north you go. And in Practically Canada it’s pretty magical. I know we are still a long way from Santa’s house at the North Pole, but I feel closer than I’ve ever been.
Is it cold? You bet. So cold that I can’t feel my fingers if I forget my gloves after dark. So cold that 25 degrees {F} feels balmy and I think…”Oh good, I don’t need a coat.”
But the thing about North Dakota is that the cold doesn’t deter folks from having a good time. Christmas festivities {yes outdoor stuff too} goes on in full flavor.
Last week I went to a Christmas cantata in a barn held in the middle of no where. We sat on hay bales and singers wore jeans and cowboy hats. I’ve driven through parks lit with lights, shopped the precious downtown stores, been served hot chocolate and shishkabobs cooked on the sidewalk while strolling downtown.
Then…when I thought I truly knew what Paul McCartney was talking about when he sang the song, “Simply having a wonderful Christmas time…” it happened. The coolest Christmas event I’ve ever been part of. The Christmas Train.
Yes. This is as close as you’ll get to the real life Polar Express. Each year the Canadian Pacific train makes a pass across the northern part of the country. Stopping off at towns along the way, spreading holiday cheer and raising awareness for community food banks. It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. My fingers were too cold to take video…but these folks took a pretty good one and posted it. You really need to watch this baby roll.
Was it cold? You betcha. Only 5 degrees with a windchill well below zero. But that doesn’t stop the masses in Practically Canada. Loads of folks braved the cold to see the lights, indulge in hot cider and cocoa…and partake in a sing along concert that took place on a stage that opened out of one of the train cars. Amazing.
And what would a Christmas train be with no Santa? Easy…the answer to that question is…LAME. So obviously the man-in-the-hat was there as well to dance on stage during the finally. Then, as sweetly as it arrived, the stage closed up, the crowd backed away, a whistle blew and the jolly express rolled away into the night.
See what I mean? Magical. I hope your December has been as special as mine has! For more info on the Holiday Train check out their blog here!
Amy
by Amy | Dec 6, 2012 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Creating a solid Christmas cards has been one of my favorite traditions since college. Whether posting with my roommates or snapping a quick picture with Derek…the Christmas card is a magical thing.
This year, it occurred to me to spread the world of Christmas card possibility to some of my friends. I mean, I own a fancy camera and a production business…if cute photos aren’t a perk of the friendship, I’m not sure what is.
Lucky for me…my friends are simply precious. Get ready to feast your eyes on two cute couples {and one awkward couple}. Get ready to pin some sweet ideas for your own portraits.
Don’t Sean and Katie remind you of a Forever 21 ad? They are so beautiful. I just love their style.
Like that banner? I made it in about an hour. I cut letters out of poster board then taped wrapping paper to the front of them. Punch holes in the letters and weave yarn through. Easy as pie.
Now say a hardy “Hullo” to Mallory and Kyle. See, I told you my friends are cute! These two just had their first anniversary…congrats, guys!
Okay. Now a few portraits of an awkward couple. You guessed it. Me and Derek. Here’s the thing. I want photos of us that look this cute. The hard part is that I’m the photographer. So any portraits of us have to be shot on self timer. Boo. So, what ends up happening is, I find a cute location…I push the button…we have 10 seconds…and we choke. When that little organge light is blinking at us, we forget everything about looking good and cute…and we {I} look like a hot mess.
This particular time we chose a location full of weeds and grass to trip on. So, I pushed the button then began to run to meet Derek. I tripped multiple times, my hair got a little ratty and my eyeliner started to run. Smile. Click. Dang…I look awful. So I compiled these photos. The best of the bunch…but still a bit awkward, if you ask me.
The best ones are where I am NOT looking at the camera. But aren’t we always harder on ourselves? {PS…I’m not fishing for compliments here. Compliment my cuter, more photogenic friends instead.}
But if there is one thing I’ve learned in recent days {like with my Christmas tree} if you put some white lights on it and look at it at dusk…even the most awkward thing can look beautiful.
Here’s a napkin. You can stop drooling now. Don’t you just love romantic Christmas portraits?
Amy
