Behind Amy's Lens

Day 5

I did a little mini session with Henry today. We are both completely worn out!

Here are a few of my favorites... (click to see them bigger)

This little pea pod hat was Helen's.

Our Mighty Little Man

I am very excited to make this post! Our son Henry was born yesterday - on Father's Day! He is just perfect. Helen is totally in love with her new little brother and Bill and I could not be more excited about our beautiful family.

Look at this proud big sister!

(click to see the images larger)

My Sister's Wedding

My sister Anne and her husband Robert were married this past Saturday. The day was beautiful - the ceremony was lovely, the reception was elegant - everything was perfect. Sara McDermott of SJ Macky Photography photographed their day. She did an awesome job. First of all she knew and remembered everyone's names all day long. She truly captured Anne and Robert's personalities - as well as the rest of us. She took some gorgeous images. You can see some of them on her blog including a slideshow of the highlights of the day. Sara is definitely going on my list of Recommended Wedding Photographers.

Here are a few shots I took at the rehearsal of Helen and her cousin. Helen has become quite the little poser. How adorable are they in their sailor outfits?! (Click to see the image larger)

Schedule Updates

Here are a few updates to my summer and fall schedule. Don't miss the holiday order deadlines below (I cannot believe I am posting this information already!)

The office will be closed for the month of June. While I will attempt to return phone calls and emails, it may take me a few days or more.

I am currently scheduling sessions at the very end of August and in September. The fall schedule is filling up fast so if you are interested in a family session - especially for holiday cards and gifts - please call to schedule something soon.

The last day to have a session for holiday cards or gift portraits is November 1st. Holiday card orders must be received by November 15th (for Dec 1st delivery) and gift portrait orders must be received by December 1st (for delivery by Dec 23rd).

Cheeks

Even though I am currently not shooting sessions (4 more weeks until I am due!) I had to sneak in some shots of my 9 month old nephew earlier this month. Look at the cheeks on this guy!

 

Motherhood

Throughout my pregnancy clients and friends have asked me if I was going to have do maternity portraits. I have kind of gone back and forth on the idea - not because I don't think maternity portraits are beautiful, but because all along I have not really viewed my belly as beautiful. I have had bruises and little blood blisters from injections that I do in my stomach. Sure, I know how to "fix things" in Photoshop, but I decided if I was going to document this pregnancy I should document it how it really is. So, I decided to do maternity portraits and to do them myself. Welcome to my self (with a bit of assistance from my husband) -portraits!

We did these today - my requested Mother's Day activity.

And last, but not least, some of me and my bruises.

   

Happy Mother's Day to all of the Moms and Moms To Be!

Ya don't see that every day!

So if you live in the O'Fallon area you have probably seen the house on Green Mount Rd. that has been up on blocks, ready to move to a new location for months. I drive past on an almost daily basis and have been fascinated with the idea of moving a house. Today, as I was driving around doing a little work for an O'Fallon area magazine I came upon a traffic jam. The jam was caused by the house, the parade of police cars and utility vehicles, and the two guys hanging out on the roof of the house. Why were they up there you ask? They were lifting up the power lines over the house as it drove down the street. Of course, I took pictures :)

Driving down Main St. in Shiloh

Making a rather tight turn into a tiny little street. They removed one street sign to completely make the turn. 

The guys on the roof lifting up power lines so the house could get through.

Color!

I met this lovely family at a park this past weekend. The day was gorgeous, they all looked great, it couldn't have been better. Here are some of my favorites so far while editing...

Family - studio style

I know I have said this before on this blog, but I just love getting to work with families again. It is so fun to see kids grow up and change and this family is no exception! We spent this session using my backdrop and studio lights - something I rarely do anymore. Mr E. - the two year old of the family - was not so sure about me, or anyone else but mom for that matter. But, we pulled off some great shots of him too :)

On a side note: I have been ordered to the couch this week by my doctor. I spent part of last week in the hospital with kidney stones/kidney infection and am still working on feeling better. I appreciate everyone's patience with me in getting galleries up, orders sent out and general business stuff!

H Family I hope you enjoy your preview!

Support The Arts!

I have two fun art events to share with you today. The first is the Missoula Children's Theatre production of Cinderella in O'Fallon, IL. This is such a neat project. The children in the show auditioned on Monday and the shows are this Friday at 7pm and Saturday at 1pm at the O'Fallon High School Auditorium. Tickets are $4 and the show is about an hour. Perfect for kids! For more information on tickets and the show you can contact Jodi Caticchio at 622-0289 or the O'Fallon Parks and Recreation at 624-0139.

BUT! I have 4 tickets for the Friday evening show to give away. Email me at amy@speedoflifephotos.com by Thursday at 3pm and I will randomly draw the winner.

The 2nd event I want to share is St. Louis Photographer Laura Seibert's Photo Essay Exhibit - Entwined. From the Entwined website: "Entwined...examines the seemingly innate desire to connect with others, as demonstrated by children." Laura's photographs are gorgeous. Families are welcome and encouraged to attend together. The exhibit will be at the Belas Artes Gallery at 1854 Russell Blvd in St. Louis. It opens April 18th and runs through May 24th.