by Amy | Jun 3, 2015 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
It’s safe to say that photo season is in fully swing up here in Practically Canada. I’ve got two rural family sessions on the desktop to be edited and a month chock full of fun families, seniors and babies yet to be photographed. All that, plus a basement remodel and living in limbo as we wait for details on a possible summer move…things are exciting around here to say the least.
And speaking of exciting–I know the Forehand duo is very excited to be expanding into a Forehand trio in a few more weeks! It took several good tries for us to finally get this session completed–thanks to unexpected work schedules and unexpected North Dakota weather–but in the end, we had a nearly perfect evening that yielded gorgeous results. Take a look…I think you’ll see what I mean.
My favorite thing about this session is all the very “real” moments I was able to capture. I did a little posing, but mostly these two were just being themselves. These close hugs and adorable giggles are all theirs–not mine…because as a photographer, I’ve found that saying, “Okay, you hug her, you look at him, now laugh, but make it look real, and keep being adorable…” generally doesn’t get anything close to cute, or natural. These two are genuine, fun, and happy–I’m so glad that their photos really convey that.
Thank you so much for choosing me to capture this precious and miraculous season in your lives. I am so very honored! Your flash drive is going in the mail tonight!!
xo
Amy
by Amy | May 21, 2015 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Being a photographer, I see all kinds of kids. I like them all. But some of them don’t seem to like me so much. Or, at least they don’t love that big black, boxy thing I hold up in front of my face every time I tell them to “Smile, pumpkin!” Sometimes I get kids who practically shoot darts out of their eyes, others look skeptical–giving me a “stranger danger vibe.” Like, why is this stranger so insistent that I smile? She hasn’t earned my smiles. She’s not even funny.
Then there are other kids. Like Kaylin. They politely smile at my jokes, and giggle giddily at their parents tickling. When the black, boxy thing comes up–the smile goes on. Like I said, I like all kids–but kids like Kaylin make my job easy. {Just look at that precious face!} Photographing her family last week was a pure joy. They are simply a stunning clan. Tonight I’m showing off a few of my favorites from our day in the park together.
One of my favorite things about our session was that Jay had a specific shot in his mind. “The Shoe Shot.” I didn’t really understand what he was talking about until the very end when the whole family changed shoes…into matching Jordans. Seriously. How cool is that?!!
{Doesn’t this make you want a pair?!}
Thanks for choosing me to capture these precious family moments. According to the post office, your flash drive should arrive this weekend!
Amy
by Amy | May 18, 2015 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
I am very excited to be sharing a super special session with you this evening. Meet Jay, Anne and Ada. Aren’t they just gorgeous?! {The answer is, YES!}
Anne and Jay will be getting married in just a few short weeks. Last week we got together to take some family photos and engagement photos before the big event. I had a great time getting to know this precious family. And boy, did Ada make my job easy–she is so beautiful and smiley! {You know how I love a baby that doesn’t insist on giving me dirty looks.}
Without further ado–here are a few of my favorite image from their session.
Like I said, this was an incredible session–with perfect weather! I am so excited for these two to see the finished product…and even more excited {and honored} to be shooting their wedding next month.
Amy
by Amy | Apr 27, 2015 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Meet the Peterman family. As you can see they are adorable. Annnnd….they are expecting a baby! I can only hope that they had a fraction of the fun during their family maternity session that I had shooting it. In my opinion, any session that includes singing “Everything is Awesome” from the Lego Movie is top notch.
I am thrilled for this precious family and the excitement of new life that is coming their way shortly! Thank you so much for choosing me and trusting me to capture the art of this moment.
xo
Amy
by Amy | Mar 10, 2015 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
In January I was contacted by a very sweet “senior mom.” You know, a mom of a high school senior. She had a request that was unique for me–unique for January in Practically Canada. Her son, Jordan needed senior portraits. He will be graduating in 2015. He’d like his photos outdoors. He’d like them in the snow. And so I started on a quest to create the perfect winter senior portrait session, just for him.
In other parts of the country, this request might not have been such a tall order. But here, where the wind howls with temps that could make a penguin shiver {okay, maybe I’m exaggerating just a bit}, where the wind blows hard and strong, where snow can blow away over night, and snow might not even be in the forecast despite the cold air–it was a tricky request. But you know me. I like a challenge.
So I agreed. I explained that we may need to schedule and reschedule. And they were okay with that. And that’s just what we did. Take #1–unseasonably warm {40˚ F} weather melted our snow leaving brown, muddy terrain. Take #2–winds of 30 mph, and a windchill advisory kept us inside. Take #3–the high was -8˚, again, we cancelled. Take #4–27˚, snow on the ground, snow in the forecast, no wind–jackpot.
We were still pretty chilly–but it really was a magical afternoon and I love the effect. I’m simply smitten with the images in this first group–especially the one on the left where you can see the snow falling!
I’d say the scheduling and rescheduling was worth it. Eeek!! I just love these!
Jordan loves reading, so at the end of our chilly session we headed to one of my very favorite places in town–the library. The staff at the Minot Public Library are amazing. They’ve let me shoot inside several times now, and I am so grateful. I think these images stuffed with books are just the coolest. This was my favorite part of the session because I learned that Jordan and I have similar taste in books–and similar pet peeves when book and movie don’t line up like we think they should.
Congratulations on your senior year! I had an amazing time working with you–and meeting your amazing mom. I’m so grateful that you let me share this special snowy afternoon with you.
Amy
by Amy | Feb 9, 2015 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
A couple weeks back I got to hang out with this guy. Color me lucky, because even though I possess the super power of putting him on the verge of tears with a simple look {forget any physical contact!} he still stole my heart. Maybe it’s that whole hard-to-get thing that draws me in. So, while I wasn’t his favorite person in the world {or maybe it was just the camera that made him wary} I still had a blast. There is something classically comical about a child who starts fussing every time the camera goes up to the face. His antics generated some pretty good laughs for me and his daddy who accompanied him to his portrait session.
At the end of it all–the grumpy, the fussy, a few rounds of “You are my sunshine,” and a few other songs sung by his dad–we ended up with some pretty good stuff. Honestly, every smile and every expression was worth the work. So, without further delay, here are some highlights from Carter’s 12 month photo session.
Happiest of birthdays {belated…} to Carter! I hope this year is filled with lots of walking, running and all the pickles, oranges and raisins your tummy can stomach! {Or at least as many as your parents will allow.}
–Amy
by Amy | Feb 3, 2015 | Blog, The Art of Gathering, The Art of the Moment
Remember that crazy long road trip we took earlier in the month? Well…a major reason for taking it was to get to this amazing wedding. Why, so amazing? Let me tell you. First of all, it was held in Louisiana…so I worked all day with no jacket–despite the fact that it was January. Second, the event was beautifully coordinated by the Girls in Black. But, thirdly and most importantly…it was amazing because it was the wedding of one of our dearest friends: Jon Skinner.
In this lifestyle it is very rare that we can attend these major life events. So the fact that we got to attend and they honored me by asking that I do the photography was huge. Jon has been a part of our lives since Derek’s first pilot training base. I hope he remains in our lives forever and ever. And now, knowing Jon comes with a bonus: Gwen. She’s fun and bubbly and gorgeous. I am thrilled for this couple and just so happy to know them.
Okay…but enough chit chat. The moment we’ve all been waiting for…Jon and Gwen.
I love snapping a photo of the bride when she catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror–all prettied up for the big event.
This just might be my favorite photo of the whole day. I think it sums up what every bride wants in a maid of honor…heck, I think it sums best friendship in a nutshell. Only a bestie would remind you of deodorant, apply it, look adorable doing it, and make you laugh in the process. 
I always love the daddy first look, don’t you? But–can it compete with the reaction of a groom when he first lays eyes on his bride? {It’s a toss up.}
Can we all just take a moment to appreciate the excitement of a certain groomsman in this image? 
It really was a day for the books. Have I mentioned how much I like these people?! Congratulations on your wedding–it was gorgeous {and now you have photos to prove it.} I loved capturing this wedding so much, I’ll be posting more from this day on Facebook in the coming days…but I want the couple to get their flash drives first–so they can enjoy them in private before I show all of them off to the world!Thank you again for letting me capture these moments for you. I cannot wait until our paths cross again {and I’ll cross my fingers that that crossing takes place at Harry Potter World…deal?}xoAmy
by Amy | Dec 31, 2014 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
We are down to the last few hours of 2014. Before the “holiday season” officially comes to a close–and we all get out the label makers, gym shoes and cleaning supplies…as we vow to be more organized, more faithful to our workout routine, and more tidy–I simply must squeeze in one more holiday portrait session.
Meet the Burnside duo…soon to be a trio. We lucked out when as portrait session fell on one of those magical Minot days when December temps are in the 30’s. Snow is still sticking to the ground, but you can feel your fingers and the air doesn’t give you a brain freeze. It was a gorgeous day and this is a gorgeous couple. I’m so happy to have had the chance to get to know them and capture the art of this special season in their lives.
As we ventured around downtown Minot, I noticed the adorable window display at Minot’s most adorable baby boutique–Lulu Lane. Seriously, if you live in Minot and haven’t been, you really need to stop in. It’s precious times a thousand. I thought since we were working with a holiday theme, a little candy land sparkle in the background would be a nice touch.
Little did I know the gems who work inside Lulu Lane would invite us inside to take photos in their lovely shop, with their delightfully sparkly decor! At first I hesitated. But the giant pink tree {the Burnsides are expecting a GIRL} and the notion of warm fingers eventually got the best of me and we took them up on the offer. I am so glad we did.
I loved these super natural giggly moments with these two. How cute are they?!
And what would a winter maternity session be without a few more photos in the snow? I’ll tell you what…incomplete. I love these evergreen images from Scandinavian Heritage Park.
Thank you so much to Lulu Lane! Seriously, you guys rock. Shooting inside your shop was a joy. And a huge thanks to the Burnsides! The world will be very blessed to meet a person who has her parents’ energy and charm!
Happy New Year everyone!
xo
Amy
