by Amy | Nov 4, 2014 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
This is Genevieve. For short she goes by Gen. And just the adorable spelling of her shortened name should tell you that she is super cool and cute as a button. She’s graduating this year. At her session I complimented her on being photogenic. She laughed and said it was because the word had her name in it. PhotoGENic. On top of being pretty, and smart, she’s also got corny jokes on her side. I love it.
But seriously, taking her senior portraits was a blast…even if I did have major hair envy on the drive home.
During every senior session, it seems like there is a defining moment. A moment where I wonder if I’ve asked them to do something that’s too much, or too odd, or too awkward. During Gen’s session that moment came as I made her scale several fire escapes wearing precariously skinny heels. Did they slip through the cracks a couple times? Did they nearly trip her? Was she a good sport any way? Did we get awesome photos?
The answer to all of these is y-e-s.
{Isn’t there something very Audry Hepburn meets Express ad here?}
After scrambling stairs and climbing on roofs we headed out of town. If you ask me, there’s something very dreamy about a vintage chair in the middle of no where.
Now, you might think these photos have been great. And they have. But–I’ve omitted my very favorite two. One from town, one from country. They are hanging out over at the Facebook page right now. Head over and vote for the one you like best. If at least 40 people share their opinion, Genevieve will win an 8×10″ print! Oh, and you should just go ahead and like the page while you are there so you don’t miss out on anything fun in the future.
As of right now, I don’t have any more seniors on the books. It’s been an awesome season of shooting seniors. Every single one has blessed me with their energy and enthusiasm. And all of the girls have inspired me to do cuter things with my hair and buy more dresses! {Because they have all been so very, very fashionable and adorable.} Thanks a million, class of 2015–and especially Gen…for being a great way to end the season.
xo
Amy
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 | Jun 17, 2014 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
It’s senior portrait time! Have you booked your session yet? Do you know a senior that needs amazing photos? You should book with me…or send them to me. I love seniors, and I love creating amazing portraits at a reasonable cost–without silly print packages that require you to pay me for every 4×6 you want to hand out to grandparents or 8×10 you want on your wall. That mind set is outdated. I believe in creating amazing photographs that you can have. HAVE.
There’s just one flat rate. You’ll get your photos, a release to print them, a release to share them online, a custom grad announcement and a Facebook cover collage. It’s just that simple. You can print your photos however you like, wherever you like and share them any way you please.
So call me. Email me. Get in touch.
In the mean time–take a look at 10 reasons why I love shooting senior portraits.
***It should be noted that I love all the sessions I do. Otherwise I wouldn’t do them. I love big families and naked babies and wedding days. So, don’t be offended. But…seniors sure do rock.***
- They’re able to pose on command. And even better…they smile on command.
- Seniors never pee on my props. {At least none of them have yet.}
- They’re parents never ask me to shoot them in the nude.
- We never have to stop mid-session for a snack break.
- I’ve never had a senior poop their pants during a shoot.
- They are able to sit up on their own, and aren’t at risk of falling off of chairs.
- A lot of times they bring their own, cool props.
- They don’t cry when it’s time to change clothes.
- There’s only one person in the photograph–that means only one set of eyes to avoid blinks, one mouth to get smiling, and one body to pose.
- And…the biggest perk: Hanging out with a senior for a few hours always makes me a little more hip. Whether that’s because they explain SnapChat to me, or talk about cool music, or just let me drool over their adorable outfits–I always leave a senior session a little cooler than when we started. {At least, I feel a little cooler.}
by Amy | Oct 23, 2013 | Blog, The Art of Faith, The Art of the Moment
by Amy | Oct 16, 2013 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
This is Hannah. She’s a senior and she is especially dear to me. Last year she approached me and asked if I could begin mentoring her. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of encouraging this fine gal along her spiritual walk. I’m so blessed to call her a friend.
Hannah is incredibly, musically talented. She plays the violin and the piano, and sings. She plays in the youth worship band at church. And she is a hot tea connoisseur. Which I totally dig, because I love chatting over a good, hot drink.
Hannah has ambitions of traveling far and wide. Dreams of seeing Norway and Ireland and all kinds of other places. I know this one is going to grow some major wings. I know this girl will {indeed} go places and do great things.
by Amy | Oct 9, 2013 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Savanna lives in the country. Shade dapples the property. Classic cars peek out from behind the barn…projects to be done. The grass is green, bunnies hop through tall weeds, the sun makes the color of the world vibrant.
In this rustically idyllic setting, Savanna fits in perfectly. She’s fun and tough, and the kind of girl who walks around outside without shoes.
Like all the seniors I’ve book so far this year, I know Savanna through the youth group I volunteer with at church. So I offered her the same discount that Gretchen took advantage of. Throughout the rest of the post you’ll find the verses she chose to memorize and recite at her session.
“They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household.” Acts 16:31
She and her dad restored this 1960’s truck together. I’m simply crazy about the color. She calls it the “Turtle” because it’s green and slow.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
“In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:22
“For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.” Luke 19:10
Be on the lookout for more from this session on the Facebook page later this week. And don’t forget to come over to the Facebook page every night for a new costume idea throughout the month of October.
Amy
by Amy | Oct 1, 2013 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
It’s no secret that I love high-schoolers. Especially the girls. But not in a creepy way. They are living such an exciting time in their lives and there is still so much more to come. The energy, beauty and possibility found in soon-to-be graduates is infectious. Which is why I love senior portrait sessions.
Meet Gretchen. She was my first senior session of the year. I know you will like her as much as I do.
This year for teens involved in the youth group that I volunteer with I offered a special discount. For every Bible verse they could quote to me {up to 5, excluding “Jesus wept” and John 3:16} I’d knock $10 off their session cost. Gretchen nailed all five. Throughout the rest of the post I’ll be writing the verses she chose to quote to me.
Jesus answered, I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1
“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” John 1:1
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8
