by Amy | May 6, 2014 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Meet my friend Allison, she’s the one with the belly. I’m so happy to call her a friend. She’s one of those super-cute, super-cool moms that makes me feel like I could {someday} do the whole get-pregnant, be-a-mom thing.
I had a great time taking some maternity photos for her. It was extra special that Zoe, now a full two years old, could come along. She’s a bit of a tough client. Her smile, while lovely…is usually fleeting. On the request of a professional holding a camera, it’ll only last a fraction of a second. Better hope you catch it.
In my brilliant {cough, cough} mind, I had the great idea to move the shoot to a local cookie shop. I’d give them both cookies, I could bribe Zoe with sugar and I’d get my much sought smiles.
This didn’t work so well. Now, instead of a child unwilling to smile, I had a child who didn’t want to look at me at all…and I was catching weird photos of her chewing. {#unflattering, even on an adorable toddler.} When I took the cookie away for a moment, we were met with a mini-meltdown. And a baby, crying in the street because I cruel photographer has taken her cookie…is just too heartbreaking to bear. So, sadly, I had to revoke her modeling privileges until we could get the hot pink icing out of her hair and off of her face.
Okay, enough about Zoe. Isn’t Allison flawless?
After the cookie had been fully consumed she perked up for a few photos at the end of our time. Really, I just couldn’t keep this face out of the view finder forever. She’s simply too sweet. And wanting a cookie is no crime, after all.
Thanks for letting me hang out, ladies! Everyone else…stay tuned for a new born session!!
xo
Amy
by Amy | Apr 23, 2014 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
This is Ariel.
Isn’t that just the best name? I’ve never known an Ariel. But boy am I glad I met this one. She called me up…looking for a senior portrait session. You see, she’s graduating this spring. Yeah, a little late in the game.
She even told me she wasn’t going to have senior portraits taken. Get this–she told me she didn’t think she’s very photogenic. I think you’ll agree with me when I tell you that that notion is a big, fat laugh. Ariel is beautiful, charming, incredibly polite {she was raise in the South, after all}, and just lovely in front of the camera.
Not only is Ariel completely gorgeous…with hair more beautiful than a Disney princess…she’s also super smart. She is tied for valedictorian at her high school. Their class motto–which will be mentioned in her graduation speech?
Daring Greatly.
I love that.
Now, you may be wondering…Was it cold in PraCan on April 13th? Answer: Yep.
Cold enough that it was snowing. Cold enough that we scurried from car to location and back to the heat-blasting car again. Ariel was a real trooper, though. No complaints, no crazy looks when I drove down back alleys and asked her to sit on a fire escape. I love a girl who can smile through snow.
In the fall, she’ll be headed to Minnesota to study nutrition. I’m so happy to have had a chance to get to know her!
by Amy | Mar 14, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Design, The Art of Living
Thank you to every one who sent prayers and sympathy and well wishes after hearing about my back indecent. I’ve been off the blog for a few days {as you know.} There are two big reasons for this…First of all there have been some time consuming things getting in my way {work being one, a three hour visit to the clinic being another.} Second, up until yesterday I’ve been pretty darn looped up on some high quality pain killers.
I am feeling better. There is still pain and hopefully the doctor will be able to tell me what that’s all about in the near future. Most importantly I’d like to know how I can avoid another Urkel situation in the coming months. And I’ll admit, I’m a terrible patient. The first few days after I’d been to the ER I had a terrible attitude and resigned myself to a life of no working out and only ice cream sundaes on the couch. That didn’t last too long though. I can’t stand the thought of never being able to HIIT it again.
So, anyway…that’s the update.
But in other news I have something pretty big to tell you. Starting tomorrow {or Sunday…it just kind of depends} this site and blog will be shutting down for a remodel! You know how much I love make overs and before and afters. I’d like to be able to seamlessly reconstruct and relaunch a better, more organizer, prettier site without having to close down for a single day. BUT–I’m not that tech savvy. So, in the coming days you’ll see a big fat “Under Construction” sign if you try to come over for a chat.
Why, the remodel, you ask? Well, a few reasons. Firstly, I think I can do better. Secondly, I think things have gotten kind of muddled. I hope to return with a site that is more focused. A site that presents a clearer picture of what it is that I “do” and a clearer image of how you can be inspired. Third, I’ve spent many, many months with a new idea growing in my heart. In my experience when this happens, you should follow it. After prayer and seeking Godly guidance, I think the slightly new direction I’m heading in is the right thing to do.
I just got an Instagram account today. I have no idea how to use it. My plan was to keep you up to date on progress and happenings that way. We’ll see…If you want to be friends, or whatever Instagram calls it, you can find me at #theartoflivingproject.
Which brings me to another point. AmyAllender.com will be coming back better and stronger as…The Art of Living Project. That gives you an idea of what the new and improved site will entail. I’m sad to leave you, but excited to bring you something better. The Art of Living Project will examine people who are living well, living inspiring lives. It will still include the things you already know and love about my current blog: B&A’s {that’s the art of improvement}, house projects {the art of home}, food {the art of the kitchen}, and photography {the art of the moment.}
At the heart of it all, I want to write things that inspire people to see the potential in their lives. So much of my 20’s has been spent feeling like a hot mess. I don’t know what to do, I feel like I’m doing things wrong, I want to believe my life can have an impact…but I just don’t know how. Then I look around, and see people living really incredible {even if seemingly ordinary} lives. Interesting lives. Lives spent doing things that they love, working to the glory of God. Using skills in quirky ways to be an example of Christ’s love. That’s what I want to do. That’s the stuff I want to capture.
If you feel at all like me {80% hot mess, 10% confused and 10% faking that you have it together} I pray that you’ll wait. Give me a couple weeks. Then come back and join a new community of inspiring people, true tales and a project dedicated to mastering the Art of Living.
Amy
PS–Even if I can’t figure the Instagram thing out I’ll still be updating the Facebook page daily. So check in over on that side of things!
by Amy | Feb 20, 2014 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Kate might look familiar. You may have seen her engagement session {when we ran for cover from the mosquitoes.} Or maybe you remember her gorgeous wedding back in October. You know, the one with the romantic saved-their-first kiss and read-a-Psalm-daily-together details? Oh, and who can forget her dress? But that’s not why she’s back on the blog today.
Today she’s here with her dog Muffy. But apparently no one calls him Muffy. Instead he answers to Bad Baby. Yeah, you read that right. Bad Baby.
Bad Baby is 15 years old. He and Kate have been together the whole time. He is her baby. She’s his momma. If you an animal lover you’ll totally get what I’m saying. So when she called with a “weird” request, I didn’t think it was weird at all. She wanted a couple good shots with her pup before his health fails. I love dogs. I love pets. I know the heartbreak you can feel when an old pal reaches his end. Weird? Nah, I’ve done weirder. I was honored to come over and meet the Bad Baby {who isn’t really so bad after all} and take their portraits.
Furthermore, I think we should dedicate this post to everyone who has lost a loving pet. Isn’t it so true that even after they are gone, they leave a giant print on our hearts? A good pet let’s us cry without judging us. They never say the wrong thing. They are there when we need company, and convince us to play…even when we don’t feel like {because deep down they know what’s best for their humans.} They’ll kiss us to make us feel better and sit with us when the house is quiet. A good pet will see you through a long rough patch and welcome you home after you’ve only been gone a few hours. Pets are such a lovely part of God’s creation for us. Give yours some extra love tonight.
Amy
by Amy | Feb 14, 2014 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Since it’s Valentines Day and all, I thought I’d show you some love. Really. Images of love.
No, it’s not a mushy engagement session. It’s better. It’s a family session. Meet Chris, Naomi, and Boaz. {PS, isn’t Boaz, like the coolest name you’ve heard…like ever?} This family radiates love. Shooting their portraits was so fun, because they simply emit joy. {Boaz’s antics gave me a laugh a minute.} I love shooting people who are crazy about each other and their little ones. And this was just that type of session.
Now, Boaz…he’s quite the character. I love a busy kid, and this one could be the king of the busy-bees. Once he was up from his nap it was go-go-go. He was very curious about all the oddities in my house: stairs, chairs, boxes, pillows trunks, hardwood floors to break dance on…He’s not the type to sit and have his photo taken {a la Annabelle.}
So we just tailored the session to him. Soon the living room was a scene of things to climb on, pillows to toss, and furniture constantly being scooted across the floor. Will this family look back at these photos and think, “Yeah, those look like formal family portraits…” I don’t think so. To me, these portraits turned out more like snap shots of real life, and I think that’s pretty beautiful. I think this family is pretty beautiful.
{I just love this one! What a stinker.}
This is love of the most real, raw and solid variety.
Happy Valentines! xoxo, Amy
PS, look for the full session next week on the Facebook page.
by Amy | Feb 11, 2014 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
You’ve heard the saying, “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.” Well, I’ve got news for you. At Annabelle’s cake smash session in honor of her first birthday, she had it {all over} and ate it too. Look at her. She doesn’t care what old sayings tell us. She’s too busy breaking the mold.
You might remember this sweetie pie from her newborn session just about a year ago. In that session her mother {master of sentimentality} had me incorporate heirloom blankets and clothing into her portraits, to make them extra special and personal. When she showed up for her birthday portraits, I was in no way surprised that she had another sentimental touch in mind. Our first photos had Annabelle in an antique dress that belonged to her daddy’s grandmother…hand made by his great-grandmother. There is a photo of Grandma in the dress standing next to her first birthday cake. Obviously, we needed to recreate the moment. Awesome, right?
Let me tell you some things about Miss Annabelle. I’ve photographed lots of kids. And there are just about zero that I didn’t enjoy spending time with. But, here’s the thing. I’ve never {ever} worked with a more photographic being. Adult, child, pet…Annabell tops them all.
The kid went from crying while her mom wiped lunch off her face to cheesing like a maniac as soon as I got the camera out. And it’s not just show for the camera. She’s a genuinely lovable, charming, sweeter-than-birthday cake baby. I’ll call myself blessed just to know her.
I’ve been to a few cake smashes in my time. But this one was different. See, the times I’ve witnessed this before or photographed it {check out this one of Zoe}, the baby has eaten a bit of cake, but mostly just played with the frosting. Not Annabelle. The child loves cake. Loves it. Once she discovered it was edible, it was all over. Cake was going in that tiny mouth by the fistful and fingers were being licked clean.
I’ll be totally transparent with you. This is my living room floor. I cleaned it and disinfected it right before we started. Annabelle’s mom, Tiffany is a good friend of mine. I took all of that into account….then I ate some cake off of my floor as well. I mean, really–it’s funfetti. How could I not?
Tiffany also snagged a few bites. At which point I asked her to step in for what became a priceless mother daughter moment. I love this shot. And I know it will be cherished by them as this little one grows up. {Aren’t fun mom’s the best?}
All in all, I’d say this session was literally a sweet success.
PS…You may have recognized these two from other sessions you’ve seen here. Like Tiffany’s maternity session, Annabelle’s newborn session, or most recently–their Christmas card session. I LOVE my regulars!!
by Amy | Jan 2, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Adventure, The Art of Faith, The Art of Gathering, The Art of Living, The Art of Projects, The Art of the Kitchen, The Art of the Moment, the house
Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe we have entered another year. If your life is anything like mine…it’s felt like a whirlwind ever since Thanksgiving. Yikes. But now the festivities are behind us and it’s time to learn from the past year and step into a fresh, new season.
The year goes by so fast that I often feel like it passed in a blur. {Any one second that?} I have to remind myself that a year is a long time. A lot can happen. One life can do a lot in one year. I really believe that and I hope you do too. For me 2013 could have been a very hard, negative year…but I think we chose how we spend our time and resources and energy. We can let negative circumstances weigh us down…or allow them to give us a chance to brush up on our hurdling skills. I may have banged my shins on hurdles a few times in the past 365, but I can confidently say that I cleared them all.
And if you don’t believe a lot can get done in a year…let’s look back at the biggest moments of a year with Amy Allender. (more…)
by Amy | Dec 18, 2013 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
On a day, not so long ago I was in one of the greatest places on earth: Elkhart, IN. While I was there, I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to do a few Christmas photos for my favorite {and only} Allender sibling. Newsflash. My sister is precious.
We debated staying indoors, but thought that temps in the 20’s would be warm enough to face. That was a mistake. They look beautiful, but I was behind the camera coat on, scarf tight, and hood up…shivering. Those pups, cute, right? Watch the big one’s eyes. She’s completely absorbed by the squirrel activity going on around her. The little one is in a sweater, but that didn’t stop her from being completely pathetic in the winter air. Sweet babies. Can you tell my sis likes her dogs?
