Some Thoughts

I've been MIA here on the blog - with the new studio space to work on, photos assignments, birthdays, school starting and Fall activities - well, I haven't had much leisure time to write. I'm also still limping along here with my computer downstairs on the network due to one of our many thunderstorms.

Anyway, I'll post some "Construction" photos of the studio soon. It is exciting to see how it is shaping up and I can't wait until it's ready to open (really I CAN'T wait).

In the meantime my middle baby is FIVE - I can't believe it. Marcus celebrated his fifth birthday last week and that means I need to do a five year old photo session with him:).

Which brings me to my little muse; why is my job (as a photographer & mom) important? Over the past year in meeting and photographing new people, I have been surprised at how much I learn about each person. It's almost impossible when documenting someone's life to ignore the emotional connection (however brief) that you make with each person. I think in our image saturated culture we sometimes tend to glance at photos without really seeing the person behind the image. But photography should be more than just an image. It tells a story, recording moments in a person's history that will never be repeated - and it can be amazingly powerful. I find myself crying with the family at weddings we photograph because I can feel the love and joy they are experiencing. I giggle with the children and chat with the seniors.

The relational aspect of my second job (my first being wife and mom:) is amazing - to show others the beauty and uniqueness of each person I photograph by telling a small part of their story. Even for all the "not so fun" aspects of being in business, that connection makes it worth it.

God Bless.

Senior Session

Down but not out . . .

Over the weekend one of the storms took out our Internet connection and apparently our network so I'm working only in the evenings when I have the laptop to connect direct. So things are moving a little slowly here. Happily we still have power, there are some families that have been told not to expect power until tomorrow night or Thursday morning.

Have a great evening!

Wedding in the Dells

It's late but here's a few photos from our Sunday wedding:

Minneapolis Bridge Collapses

Most of you already have seen the I-35 bridge photos from last night. Thankfully this is not a bridge Doug drives on much AND he had come home early yesterday for a meeting. What's even more comforting is that Dave, (Doug's brother) who is a truck driver had his load postponed until Friday and so instead of being on that highway around the time of the collapse, he was parking his truck and heading home.

God definitely was keeping them safe. Please remember the families of the people involved and praise God for the hard work of emergency staff and the everyday people that helped on the scene. Every time I think about it, tears come to my eyes and I'm overwhelmed that this happened so close to home. Give your loved ones an extra hug and thank the Lord you have another day with them:).

--Amanda

Coming soon?

This photo is what I'll call the "Joe Buissink effect". I can't wait to someday attend one of his workshops - anyway, this has a clue as to something new we are planning - but I can't tell you yet!
. . . Stay tuned.