by Amy | Sep 8, 2015 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
This summer {is it okay that I’m still referring to summer…even though we are past Labor Day?} has brought me the pleasure of photographing three extended family sessions. Remember? The Rodins and the Rodgers? Getting an extended family photo poses it’s challenges: there are many eyes to capture between blinks, there are lots of smiles that need to happen simultaneously, and there are lots of bodies to pose. Challenges aside, these big groups are always a hoot. Because even though there are lots of little limbs to keep in place, there are also lots of silly moments and genuine laughs.
My time on the Ankenbauer Ranch was an afternoon I wouldn’t trade in for anything. From the moment I knocked on the door and the littlest one informed me that if I was good during picture day we all got ice cream–to the last shot which released the young kiddos running for the house in relief–and Midnight the cat who tried to continuously photobomb the family–it was farm fun from start to finish. I hope this family enjoys the images we captured as much as I enjoyed getting to know this swell gang.
by Amy | Sep 7, 2015 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Meet Caleb. The first guy of my senior season. It’s kind of surprising, really…because the senior season is nearly over. But I guess that’s how boys roll–waiting until last minute and all. Girls seem to be on the front end of things when it comes to getting senior photos scheduled.
But I digress…because I’d be lying if I said I truly understood the mind of teenage boys.
Back to the topic at hand. I was thrilled when Caleb scheduled photos with me. Girls are fun to photograph…but it’s also a treat to man things up. I mean, really–how awesome are those Superman photos?! I had a fabulous evening with Caleb and his mom, Michelle. I had a blast getting to know them and wish Caleb the very best senior year! Here are some of my favorite shots from outdoorsy, super hero-y, baseball senior photos. My fingers are crossed there’s one he and Michelle deem year-book worthy in here!
The summer of 2015 has been a summer of athletes and musicians! I’ve had more athletes this summer than ever before. And I’ve loved photographing each one. To me, there’s nothing cooler than images that put a person in their element…especially when that element comes with cool props and fun locations {like the ball park!} These were my first baseball senior photos and they were so fun to get. Major props to Michelle for bringing baseballs with writing on them–love it!!
The icing on the proverbial cake of this session came at the very end when we stopped by Tom’s Service Station. There aren’t too many photos from this pit stop, but I love the ones we got. And boy, oh boy was it fun when Tom himself came out and invited us in to check out his sweet vintage ride and garage–which was like stepping into a time warp. So. Fun.
Thanks to Caleb and Michelle for the great evening! Your photos will be in the mail as soon as the post reopens tomorrow!
Amy
by Amy | Aug 25, 2015 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
A couple weeks ago I was invited to capture some very special family photos. You may recognize some of these precious faces. I’ve photographed Jenna {remember her awesome senior portraits?}, and Kate {wedding, engagement, puppy portraits}. But on this {very hot} evening we were on a mission to get some unique photos of the women of the tribe. I loved gathering in with three generations of Christ-loving, fun, beautiful ladies.
The collage below is a compilation of my favorite images from the whole session. These weren’t moments that I orchestrated, by telling them to hug or look at one another. These were moments that just happened. Tight squeezes, head to head, frozen affection that will last a lifetime.
Oh. And I couldn’t leave off tonight without throwing in a few of my other favorites…Like this one of the coolest little boy I’ve ever met. He patiently waited while the ladies were in the spotlight. He generated smiles from them with his adorable, juice-box sipping antics. Who doesn’t love a cold Capri Sun on a hot day?
I’m so glad to know these beautiful sisters!!
by Amy | Aug 25, 2015 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
This is Cassie. During her session I took to calling her Sassy Cassie…like she’s never heard that one before… Not because she was super sassy in her tone or attitude–but because she has total control over her face and can put out the fiercest “sassy-vibe” I’ve ever seen.
I love it. It’s a quality I admire, since I have almost no control over my own facial expressions whatsoever.
Anyway. She is gorgeous and funny and smart and plays the violin {how cool is that?!} I loved hanging out with her. Traipsing around downtown Minot…stumbling across the coolest, most colorful wall I’ve ever seen, and sweating it out in the 100˚ heat wave…it was all fun with Cassie. And I wasn’t kidding about those temps. She might look cool as a cucumber, but the air certainly was not. And neither was I. By the end, she still looked fantastic…but I had belly sweat and back sweat seeping through my shirt. Wait–was that too gross to broadcast? That’s a prime reason why it’s good to keep me behind the lens.
Now…without any more talk of sweat stains and sassy attitudes. Check out Cassie–class of 2016.
How cool are these? Major props to Cassie for overcoming her dislike of heights and rickety walkways to get this shot!
This colorful wall in my favorite photo-alley was a pleasant surprise! I shot Kylee’s images just a week earlier and this was no where to be seen–I love the way that black top really pops against this super-colorful background.
Of all the images from her shoot, these with the violin are my favvvorite! The colors, the shapes, the lighting…I love it all. I think Cassie looks gorgeous a violin in her hands. Am I right?
I loved shooting these images. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times: Seniors are my favorite! Cassie’s session was a total blast. I’m so glad to have gotten to know her a bit and wish her the hap-hap-happiest senior year ever!
by Amy | Aug 18, 2015 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Meet Kylee. She’s in the class of 2016–in case you hadn’t figured that out just yet.
On the day of her session I was pleasantly surprised when we met up downtown and were joined by an entourage of four of her dearest friends. Including this pretty face you might remember from last year. To say that this was a session like no other is totally true. It was loads of fun having extra eyes on hand to make sure things looked just right, and extra personalities around to generate genuine grins.
Oh…and I should mention that it was during Kylee’s session that we encountered the most awkward moment I’ve ever experienced on a shoot. More on that later. Right now, sit back and enjoy these summery senior photos.
Is it just me, or have the 2016 seniors been impeccably dressed? They’ve all looked fabulous in a classic kind of way. I am head over heels for this leather and lace look Kylee brought to the table. Just stunning.
Okay. Just look at those eyes! They are so. pretty. Seriously. No enhancement required. They are just that blue. That sparkly. It’s really out-of-this-world beautiful.
This one right here. Below this text. This one might just be my very favorite of the whole session. Again, it has a lot to do with the eyes. {This time I’ll use the word dazzling to describe them.} But the fading light, her relaxed face, and that green Practically Canadian grass also have a lot to do with it. What do you think?
Okay. So here’s where the awkward moment comes up. Kylee brought balloons to use during her session…which I thought was an awesome idea. Balloons are totally fun–remember Jenna’s photos? Anyway. It was the perfect night for balloons because there wasn’t a lick of breeze–so instead of fighting the wind, they just floated beautifully vertical. Lovely.
After we were done and heading out to get some countryside photos we loaded up the cars. We were parked close to each other. Four teenage girls, one mom and one photographer who seems a magnet for awkward moments. The car doors were open and the girls were shoving balloons back in the van. The parking lot was now like a maze of girls, women, doors and props. Okay, now you have the scene.
Up walks two women. Middle aged. Well meaning. They approach the girls, “Congratulations!” one exclaims to Kylee. There’s a weird pause–none of us know where this is going.
Kylee: Thaaanks….?
Walker: This is so exciting…that it’s a girl. Is it your first?
Okay. Hold the phone. WHAT?! They think this is a maternity shoot?! Are you crazy? This does not look like a maternity shoot. Not. one. bit. There is no bump. There is no daddy. Why would we be toting around an entourage for maternity photos? There are so many questions in my mind. And for once, I was stunned into silence. Kylee’s friend Gen spoke up, “Umm…these are senior photos.”
Walker: Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry. We just–saw the balloons–pink–I’ve never seen that done for senior photos–sorry–geeze–okay, well–congratulations on your senior year–ha–haha-ha…
So. Weird. Then as they tried to walk away we were all caught up in the maze of car doors and people and props that I mentioned earlier. There were a lot of “excuse me’s” as the ladies tried to walk away. I’m sure they were totally embarrassed. But honestly…The take away from all of this is: pink balloons don’t always mean baby. Actually there are a lot of take aways…but we don’t have time for that. I’ve got more photos to show you. Needless to say, this session is not one I’ll quickly forget. But we all had a good laugh about it. I’m just glad Kylee is such a good sport.
Is there anything prettier than this golden haired girl in golden fields of wheat during golden hour? I think not. I’m a huge fan. And a huge fan of the soft, pretty colors in this outfit. And I guess that brings us to the end…or does it?
No. It does not. Because I couldn’t leave without a collage of the entourage.
Don’t forget to vote in Kylee’s B&W vs Color contest. Help her win a free print. Visit the Facebook page {and like it while you’re there} to cast your vote.
by Amy | Aug 6, 2015 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Yesterday I showed you part one of Sylvia’s senior portraits–senior pictures with her best friend Anna. Tonight I’m delighted to showcase solo images of Sylvia. So many things worked in our favor on the evening of her session…lovely temperatures, very little wind, wild flowers growing along deserted paths, mosquitoes were scarce, and the sunset was the kind that causes you to stop and remember that the whole world is a masterpiece.
Yes, it was pretty spectacular. And her photos are some of my all time favorites. Gorgeous, fun, country senior pictures. Flannel, trucks, pretty dresses in deserted places, dirt roads. I love it.
{Can we pause a second to marvel at her hair??! I’ve never seen more beautiful, real, untreated hair. Seriously.}
See that image on the right? It’s one of my absolute faves from her session. If you think it’s pretty in color–just wait until you see it in B&W. Head over to the Facebook page to vote for which version you like best. If at least 40 people vote Sylvia will win a free print of the favorite!
As usual, I’m grateful and honored to be the person Sylvia chose to capture this special season in life. It was so much fun photographing her {and Anna too} and I wish her the very best senior year ever!
Amy
by Amy | Aug 6, 2015 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
I really like repeat clients. It’s super fun to see how people grow and change between sessions. So I was absolutely tickled when I was asked to photograph Sylvia’s senior photos. I’d met her last year when I photographed her family–her large, gorgeous, family–on their lovely farm. This fall she starts her senior year and we had so much fun shooting her senior photos…especially since her best friend Anna joined us! Senior photos and best friend photos — it doesn’t get much better than this.
I spent the evening with these upstanding young ladies and their mothers. From the train tracks to a vintage truck parked in canola–I can’t imagine cooler locations to photograph. In fact–Sylvia’s session was so outstanding that I decided to break her preview in to two parts. Tonight I’m showcasing photos of the two girls together. Tomorrow, I’ll be showing off solo photos of Sylvia. So be sure to come back for more. {Side note…these are literally some of the most beautiful photos I’ve ever taken. I think it has something to do with the perfect light, and their salon-magazine-hair…seriously, isn’t it just so pretty?}
Without further ado–enjoy Anna and Sylvia: best friend photos.
I seriously love these. And I cannot say enough positive things about these two. Smart. Funny. Giggly. Bible-loving. Christ-following. Power friendships like these give me confidence that the future is going to be awesome.
Remember to come back tomorrow to see Sylvia’s images.
xo–Amy
by Amy | Aug 3, 2015 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
A few days before Sydney’s session I was driving north of town and was utterly taken aback by the gorgeous canola fields. I’m telling you–there is really nothing more stunning than a Practically Canadian summer. Nothing. The countryside is simply breath taking and the weather is sweet.
Anyway–back to canola.
I had this thought–I’ve done sunflower sessions and snow sessions, but never canola sessions. Suddenly it just seemed silly. Why wouldn’t I take advantage of fields of waist high yellow flowers as far as the eye could see? Ideally I would have offered mini sessions in the canola–but that just didn’t pan out. Instead, I took Sydney there with me for some canola field senior pictures. And I’m so glad she was game to come along. The air grew cooler, the sun dipped low and we spent the golden hour in the golden fields. I’m super pleased with the results and I’m thrilled to be sharing some of my favorite images with you today.
If you follow the Facebook page, you might have seen this image that I created. This happened during Sydney’s shoot. A family on horseback came trotting down the tractor path as we were finishing up. They’d braved a slow walk past a clump of field bee hives swarming with very busy buzzers. I’d driven past the hives earlier in the day scouting our location. They swarmed my car and gave me a creepy Hitchcock-eerie feeling. When I asked them about the ride past the hives one of the girls said, “Those were NOT there last week. It was like fear factor.” They were eager to ride away from the bees, literally into the sunset.
Anyway…back to Sydney. In addition to amazing shots in the canola, we also got these. Seriously some of my favorites from the night.
If it were up to me every hour would be sunset and every photo would be in a field. But that would be pretty darn boring. So we also shot around town–and I wasn’t disappointed with our location choices. Seriously. Sparkly skirt + shabby alley?? Yes, please!
Oh, and did I mention she’s an athlete?! I worked up a sweat climbing high enough to nab this one…but the result is worth it.
The downside about Practically Canada {okay besides the long commute between towns, and subzero winters} is that road construction has a very limited season. Currently our downtown streets are all torn up. Cons: We wandered around, unable to figure out how to get to places I had in mind to shoot. Pros: There was no traffic and we nabbed a super-cool photo in the middle of the street…until a construction crew drove heavy machinery through and gave us a weird look.
Which brings us to the end of Sydney’s preview. It’s been sweet, hasn’t it? I’m so glad she chose me to capture her senior portraits. Remember to head over to the Facebook page and vote in the B&W vs Color challenge to help Sydney win a free 8×10″ print of the winning image.
