by Amy | Oct 7, 2014 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Expecting | A Baby Announcement With Dogs
Something very exciting is happening to the Allender clan. Well, technically it’s the Kennedys. But since Erin was originally an Allender, I’ll still claim it as a victory for our team.
They are expecting! Which is just fabulous, because I myself love kiddos, but am still on the terrified side of actually carrying a baby and being a mom…however I have absolutely no qualms about being a zany aunt. I’m very, very excited {as are our parents–obviously}. I know the Kennedy foursome–Sis insists on including her dogs in everything–will look lovely as a fivesome. I’m so excited to show off this one-of-a-kind baby announcement with dogs.
Now, about the dogs. Erin loves her dogs. Loves them. You might think you love your pets. But she really takes it to a unique level. Unique–not totally crazy. {It’s a fine line.} So, you can imagine my surprise and delight when she told me their household was going to expand by two feet…not four. Because of the deep rooted love for the dogs {Jillian is the big one, and Penny is the little one} they obviously had to be part of sharing the good news.
For me, sometimes the most fun part about sharing photos with all of you is being able to tell the story behind some of them. These were taken at my parent’s house, when I was home to Indiana. You might even recognize the chair from the family photos we did in July. About half way through her short session my mom said she “had and idea,” and would be right by. I think as she walked away she said something about knowing, “just what we needed.”
No more than five minutes later she had returned to the yard carrying two baby bonnets. One from each of us sisters. Two minutes after that, they’d been strapped to the dogs’ heads. I love our family.
How she produced them so quickly is a mystery to me. It takes me longer to find Scotch tape in the drawer than it took her to find and deliver two bonnets that haven’t been used since the mid-80’s. And as you can imagine it was a pathetic sight to behold. Jillian didn’t even seem to care. She doesn’t care about much as long as there is a squirrel to watch. Penny, on the other hand was really embarrassed, but I am so SO glad that I got this close up of her.
It’s safe to say there are a lot of things about this first Allender pregnancy we will never forget. Congratulations times a million to this brilliant couple. Thank you for letting me shoot your baby announcement. It was a night I won’t soon forget. And I pray luck upon those dogs, because they are in for a shock when the baby arrives and starts hogging their attention.
xo
Amy
by Amy | Oct 2, 2014 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Today I have a very special family session to show you. It’s especially special because it’s my actual family. While I was home to Elkhart last month, I did some fall family photos for my family. The reason I love doing sessions for my own family is two fold. Firstly, I love taking photos. Secondly, it forces them to spend more time with me.
And I love spending time with the fam.
Since I’ve disclosed to you that this is my own flesh and blood, it’s safe to assume that I might be a little bias…but I’ll tell you anyway–I think these portraits are the bomb. I think these kids are geniuses. I think this family is the cat’s meow. The only thing I don’t love about this is the fact that they live in God’s country {northern Indiana} and I live in Practically Canada {which is also lovely…but not quite as amazing as the Michiana area.} So enjoy the photos. Perhaps you can glean a little inspiration for you own family portrait session.
Now, I’m going to take a moment to point out something that this family totally nailed: Clothing choice. Sometimes that can be the trickiest part of photo day. I get asked all the time: What should we wear? Well, when it comes to fall family photos, you can take a lesson from the Bredenkamp clan. Solid colors are always a winner. It’s also a good idea to put everyone in jeans for cohesiveness, then mix up the shirts. The orange and green lend some color and look amazing with the fall backgrounds. The kiddos in gray and white are perfectly neutral.
I also advise folks to steer clear of trendy clothes. That way when you look back at your portraits, you’ll remember the amazing day, the lovely weather and the family. If you go too trendy, you’ll likely be distracted by your atrocious clothing, hit yourself in the forehead and ask yourself, “What was I thinking?” {Also, that sets you up to be made fun of by future generations.} Now, enough clothes talk. Let’s get back to the session.
If you are wondering where this lovely setting is, let me tell you. It’s Cobus Creek, one of Elkhart County’s newest parks. While it’s been around for a few years now, there are still lots of folks who haven’t heard of it. Let’s just say I came out looking pretty cool when I introduced them to this awesome location.
Okay, that’s one fam session down. I shot two others while I was home. Be on the lookout for those. You’ll especially want to see the one with a goofy Boston Terrier wearing a hat. She looked so embarrassed. I’m telling you, it’s worth a look and a laugh, so stay tuned!
by Amy | Sep 19, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Adventure, The Art of Living
I love it here. Northern Indiana, that is. It’s just the best. I loved it here when I lived here. And I love it more now that I’ve been lots of places. It might not be the most flashy of places. There are no mountains or canyons or vast deserts. But there are trees {I’ve lived in places with very few trees}, there are lakes {everyone knows someone with a lake house}, and all kinds of wonderful things are close at hand.
I love it here. I really, really do. Here’s a few reasons why. And a few photos from great photographers and visitor sites to show you why. Because, I love it so much, I get totally caught up and forget to take any photos of my own. Maybe some day I’ll change that…
There are small town things to do.
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And city things to do.
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And Lake Michigan.
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And the weather is perfect. It’s just what you want from weather through the year. Hot and humid in the summer, crisp and cool in the fall, snowy in the winter, and a spring that comes in slowly and lasts through April and May. The summers aren’t so hot they force you to stay indoors. The winters are just mild enough that you can play outside and enjoy the season.
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I could go on all day. But I’ll stop and just tell you that I love it here. When I’m here my mind lets go a little. I breathe a little easier and a little deeper. Call me crazy, but I truly am convinced that this is the best.
by Amy | Sep 17, 2014 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
This is Allene. In case you haven’t noticed…she has aqua hair. Which, automatically makes her about 30x cooler than I’ll ever be. Sure, she may hail from small-town, Practically Canada, but she’s edgy, urban and has a do-what-I-please attitude that makes me smile. Oh, yeah…and she loves her mom–who joined us on the session. It was her mad texting skills and random comments that caused a lot of these adorable caught-me-off-gaurd smiles.
What follows here are some of my favorite images from her senior portrait session. But, there is one prized gem that you won’t see here. Remember the contest I ran for Andrew? It was such a hit, I’ve decided to run one for all of my remaining senior sessions. If you missed it, let me refresh your mind.
I’ve posted one of Allene’s best images on the Amy Allender: The Art of Living Facebook page. There are two copies–one color and one black and white. Go on over and “like” your personal favorite. If 40 people share their two-cents, Allene will receive a free 8×10″ print of the favorite. Not to mention, it’s super fun to see the battle of color vs BW rage on! So check out this post, then go vote!
I love a session that includes a few props that give a glimpse into the personality of my subject. That said, you can imagine how excited I was when Allene told me she’d like to bring some books along. I mean, books in the park…with those eyes and that awesome hair?! Yes, please.
I was so excited about her bookworm tendencies that I took things a step further by getting the okay to shoot a few inside Minot’s public library. I wasn’t sure if she would think this was a good idea or totally lame. Lucky for me, Allene was up for trying anything my crazy mind could come up with. And I’m so very pleased with the result. {Also, isn’t that dress amazing?!}
And, since the sunflowers were still blooming, I obviously insisted we take a trip to the edge of town for a little vibrancy.
There’s an time just before sunset when the light is perfect and soft–when colors melt into something totally luscious and portraits take on a magical quality. Photographers call it the “golden hour.” We just so happened to be in the wheat field when that hour rolled around. Like the time of day…I think these are pretty magical. So I’ll leave you here. In the wheat, in the golden hour.
Now, before you leave completely, don’t forget to go over to the Facebook page and vote! Allene needs 40 people to share their opinion to win the complimentary 8×10″ of the favorite photo!
PS–check out more Minot Senior Portraits here.
by Amy | Sep 11, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Adventure
I love parks. Especially national parks. Especially now more than ever. My favorite of favorite things is hiking deep into the back country, to experience wilderness and solitude and beauty that you just can’t access any where else. For now, I’m still sidelined from that. But that’s the beauty of parks.
As Teddy puts it: “…the edges of the wilderness lie close beside the beaten roads of present travel.” I find that especially true in the South Dakota Badlands, at Badlands National Park. You drive out into the prairie, miles and miles and miles. Then, suddenly it all comes to a stop, the grass and green falls away–and all that’s left is stone. You don’t have to trek out 20 miles to get there. It happens right beside the car window and all you have to do is squeeze the breaks and pull off.
Lots of people overlook the Dakotas, writing them off as a bit of a no man’s land. Which, I guess in a few ways, that is true. But that’s also kind of the charm, the beauty of this wilderness. And to Theodore Roosevelt, the Dakotas were the most inspiring place on earth.
There are only eight marked trails in Badlands National Park. Something that really sets it apart from its counterparts across the country. That’s because in the Badlands you can roam, horseback ride, or hike anywhere–unless marked otherwise. Just don’t lose your way.
Some of the trails that are marked are done very loosely. A couple walk along boardwalks over the rocky terrain to an over look. The others are mere suggestions of places to head. You move from one small marker to the next…until you find yourself at the final vista. There has been no cutting of stone or rolling out of asphalt. How you get there is true “choose your own adventure” experience.
It’s unlike any other place I’ve ever been. {Well, except the North Dakota Badlands at Theodore Roosevelt National Park…they’re comparable.} The only way I can describe it to you is to say that is it other worldly. The texture, color and sheer vastness of it all confuses your depth perception.
The sky is huge and vibrant over the monotone rock formations. We arrived to only a few cloud in the sky, but about an hour into our visit we could see big storms blowing up in the distance. It was incredible to be able to see the sky be so angry and fierce in one direction and so sunny in another. To see a wall of rain falling miles away, sweeping across the Badlands at the same time puffy clouds floated lazily somewhere else.
It’s a unique kind of wilderness. It make you feel like the foreigner, like you are standing on Mars, or inside a Star Wars movie. Or, like you are driving along the bottom of the ocean.
If you drive the Badlands Loop Road, you’ll get amazing views of this rugged creation–along with plenty of opportunities to get out of the car and take in the sights at overlooks and trail heads. Be sure to drive the whole road for the full effect, you’ll be glad you did.
If you visit:
Like I said, drive the Loop Road.
Know that the visitor’s center isn’t right inside the gate. You’ll have to drive a bit to get there. Be sure to take the map they offer you at the entrance gate. Pull off to overlooks, stop, and hike along the way to the visitor’s center–don’t plan to go there first then do the other stuff because you’ll only end up backtracking.
Stop at the visitor’s center and see paleontologists at work in the fossil lab. Real paleontologists. Cleaning real dinosaur bones. That they found in South Dakota. It’s seriously cool.
If you don’t hike anything else, at least check out the Door, Window or Notch trails. They are short and even a girl with a bad back can do one of the three.
Take water. It’s bone dry.
Bring binoculars.
Get dinner, lunch or breakfast at Wall Drug. It’s a roadside attraction to add to your road trip. You can miss it. There are a million signs. {Actually, we counted 56 from Rapid city to Wall…it’s a 45 mile drive.} The donuts are awesome, the coffee is cheap, and the souvenirs are plentiful.
by Amy | Sep 10, 2014 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Say hi to Andrew. He’s smart, kind and has mad evangelical skills. Seriously. The guy knows how to integrate Christ into a conversation. During his session we came across a drifter, and this guy–this one right here–struck up a conversation, read a Psalm, and explained the plan of salvation. Right there on the street. I can’t make this stuff up. I’m so proud to know him.
Below you’ll find a sneak peek of his portrait session. BUT–you should also go over to the Amy Allender Facebook page for an extra special contest I’m running. I’ve posted my fav-or-ite photo from Andrew’s session. In color and black and white. Go over and “like” the one you like the best. If 40 people vote, Andrew will get an 8×10 of the winner. So, you should go over and vote. And like the page. And tell your friends to like the page….so we can do more fun things in the future.
I love that senior sessions often involve a mom. It’s particularly true for guy sessions. Probably because boys don’t care as much about senior portraits as girls do. But either way…I love moms and I love when they come along. Like Andrew, his mom is a gem. This session was a blast not only because, he {being on the very photogenic side of the scale} made my job easy…but because between takes and during clothing changes I got to chat with Trish. Nights like this, clients like these…they really make me love my job.
Oh, and I must say…I’m a huge fan of the suit portraits. Girls laugh and wonder why guys always have a senior photo in a suit. This. Is. Why. Totally dashing. Girls really have no equivalent. A dress? We wear dresses all the time. A portrait of a girl in a formal dress? Nope. That’d seem weird. But a guy in a suit. Pure class.
Okay, we’ve come to the end. Join me in wishing Andrew a happy senior year. And don’t forget to go to the Facebook page and vote!
I’ll see you tomorrow…and I’ll be sharing photos and stories from the Badlands.
Amy
by Amy | Sep 8, 2014 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
by Amy | Sep 5, 2014 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Sunflower Mini Sessions | Part Three
I am so happy to finally be posting the final round of Sunflower Mini Sessions. Not that I’m happy they are over with. That’s not it at all. It’s just that the folks you see here tonight really got the run around. First their sessions were moved because an exercise on base meant most husbands couldn’t make it. Then we got rained out–twice. But finally we had the perfect evening.
The ground was still a little soggy. My shoes ended the night caked in mud and gravel and a few items of clothing got a little dirty. But no one really seemed to mind. In the end, it was all about capturing a few dreamy North Dakota moments–in the last moments of summer, before winter comes again and we count down the days to another season of cool breeze, open skies, mosquitoes and sunflowers.
