That Graduation Feeling

I remember my high school graduation.  I won't tell you the (ahem!) year, but I will tell you that I still remember that amazing feeling of the world opening in front of me -- the feeling that anything was possible .  Having my grad date (who happens to be my husband now!) on my arm...walking down the aisle of our school gym...saying goodbye to all of my friends, some of whom I haven't seen since...graduation was all one fast blur.  I only have bits and pieces of vivid memories.

I thought about my own high school grad a lot while I captured photographs for the Class of 2011.  My goal was to capture extraordinary snapshots of the day for my grad clients -- vividly and truly -- so they could look back at their photographs and remember all the little details and feelings they experienced on this special day.

Five graduates honoured me with requests to capture their photographs this year.

I was so excited to book Shea's grad session.  This young man had planned to buy this suit since ninth grade, and his best friend's suit was part of the plan too.  I enjoyed the creativity of this session -- thanks Shea!

Christianne's graduation was the second time I had the opportunity to visit the "D" family farm for a session of photography.  This is a family I just love working with -- they are casual and fun and they aren't afraid to be silly.  Christianne is just so confident and real -- we had a lot of laughs that afternoon!

I have a few more grads to share, as well as family and children sessions.  But before I share, I have a lot of editing to do.  Thanks for looking, and I'd love to hear what you think!


Amanda

Catching up!

Well the last month has certainly been a whirlwind!  I never expected to be this busy right out of the starting gate, but I am swamped and I am loving it. 

It started with a couple of family sessions and then we jumped headfirst into soccer season.  I've captured team and individual portraits for ten soccer teams in the last three weeks and I have two teams left to meet up with next week.  Order forms are out and I already have one team with their forms returned.  I cannot wait to bring them their completed orders!

Last weekend, I spent Friday and Saturday with families and graduates of Aberdeen Composite School.  Since Aberdeen is my hometown, I've known a lot of these young men and women since they were very young.  It was an honour to be asked to capture their graduation memories.

Friday night, I spent the evening with Andrew, his escort, Katherine, and Andrew's family.  We ventured out to an abandoned farm nearby to capture some classy, traditional portraits that I just know his mom is going to love!  Saturday morning, I had a session with Shea and his family.  Shea's graduation photographs are -- hands down! -- the most adventurous and creative photographs I have had the opportunity to capture.  Let's just say they will knock your (orange) socks right off.  LOL!  Katherine's session was Saturday afternoon and she was absolutely lovely in her graduation gown.  That was all before I played paparazzi at the graduation ceremony and banquet for the parents who wanted to relax and enjoy the grad services while I took the photos for them.  I can't wait to share the excitement of the weekend with you!

But first, I have to get ready for a very busy weekend.  I have two family/graduation sessions to capture tomorrow, plus another high school graduation ceremony and banquet to capture in Saskatoon in the evening.  On Sunday I have three local family sessions!

Here's a sneak peek of a session I am delivering tomorrow.  The "D" family is lovely!  They celebrated with their mom, Evelyn, on an important birthday a few weeks ago.  I just have to say that I would love to look as good as Evelyn does when I am her age!  She is stunning! 

Cheers! And see you from behind the lens!
Amanda

Introducing Little G.J.

Spring is here and it seems like photography season is in full swing.  I can't believe the awesome response I have had to starting photos etcetera so far!  I have now booked all my available weekends in May and June with graduations and family sessions.  I still have a few weekday evening openings, but once they are gone I will be booking into August and September.  How exciting!  In the last little while, I have had a couple of sessions that I plan to put up on this blog and on my website.  First, though, I'd like to introduce Baby G.J.  He was just a couple of weeks old when his mom brought him over to my house for some quick shots.  What a sweet, quiet little guy!

Here are some of my faves from the morning they came to visit:



Introducing Baby G.J!





I love capturing the little details...



In mom's hands...



He's a hockey fan, of course...

 
We had a lot of fun, and I do hope that his mom and dad enjoy the photos we took.  I know his grandma will -- she's a very good friend of mine.  :)

I can't wait to share some of the other sessions I have done lately, including a family and maternity session with one of the most beautiful women I know.  This past weekend I also had a session with a lovely family -- adult siblings and their mom celebrating her 75th birthday.  They were so much fun!

Stay tuned -- it won't be long before you see more!

Enjoy,
A.

Soccer Season is approaching!

It's hard to believe, but this past week was soccer registration night!  I'm excited because I was asked to prepare information packages for this year's coaches in our area for soccer portraits.  Two years ago when I started out initially, I did photos for almost all of the Aberdeen soccer teams and it was a huge success.  I offered print packages, custom team composites and one team even requested a game shoot.
This year, my camera and I are ready for soccer season!  I am expanding my product line.  In addition to print packages and custom team composites, I will be offering digital images either through direct download from http://www.photosetcetera.zenfolio.com/ or on DVD.  Parents will be able to access all three individual poses of their child for emailing, printing, and sharing!  I've also found a source for sports gifts such as trading cards, buttons, and keychains.  I will be offering those as well!

Any team who books soccer portraits before May 31 will have a chance to win a free game session in June.  I know some of the coaches don't have time to make calls, hand out order forms, and collect money, so this year I will be offering a 10% discount to the parent contact who is willing to co-ordinate the photo orders on their own team.

Here is my poster that will be going out to soccer coaches this week:

Of course, this offer goes out to softball, baseball, football, and lacrosse teams as well.  I haven't had any sessions with these kind of teams yet -- so, who knows?  They may just get a good deal if they call early!





It's just the beginning...

Thank you for joining me on my new adventure.  Or, I guess I could say, my reborn adventure.  :)

I started out on this path two years ago when I decided to take my love of photography in a new direction.  I wanted to provide wonderful, creative, fun-filled photographs to families and sports teams in Vonda, Aberdeen, and the Saskatoon area.  After a handful of photo sessions with beautiful people, I decided to launch my location-based photography business in the spring of 2009.

In the fall of 2009 -- the day of my first photo session with a local hockey association -- I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Everything, including my dreams for persuing photography, was put on hold while I focused on fighting for my health.

So, here I am, healthy and whole and ready to begin again! 

Because life is too short not to do what you love.

And I love photography.  I love smiles and hugs and embraces.  I love the twinkle in a child's eye and that special glance between two people in love.  I love laughter and fun.  And I feel blessed to capture it all in photographs.

I hope you enjoy what you see on my website and my blog.  And when you have special moments you want captured, whether they are everyday or extraordinary, I would be honoured to be your photographer.

((hugs))
Amanda