Thursday, December 4, 2014

Playing Catch Up

Well these days it seems I'm always playing catch up!  I appreciate all my fans' and followers' patience the past few months as I took time to focus and tend to my family.  My husband is branching off and starting his own business and any of you who might be entrepreneurs know how much time and dedication it takes.  Between fulfilling my commitment to scheduled sessions, editing, running my own part time business, taking care of a home along with two young children, testing the waters of homeschooling and emotionally supporting my husband through his journey I had little time for the 'fluff' stuff in my life (aka: blogging, window shopping, pinterest, personal hygiene...haha  ok making sure you were paying attention). 

How I did it?  Gee, I have no idea.  But by the grace of God I only averaged one personal melt down a month over the last three months, the house stayed manage-ably clean, meals were still cooked (ok, so maybe I took more short cuts than usual), clean clothes were in drawers and I did not fall behind on editing.  Yes, massive amounts of caffeine were consumed and many hours of sleep were given up.  We also didn't miss a day of homeschool (we only do 3 days a week...so please don't think of me as super-mom).  What doesn't break you, only makes you stronger.  I clung to my Bible and quiet time like the kids grasp their special blankie to soothe tears and drift off to sleep.  That's how I did it.  I would not want to do it again, but I would do it over again if need be. 

Since that is all behind us I can now focus on my last two baby sessions for this year, finish a tad more Christmas shopping and enjoy the Christmas spirit that seems to permeate every inch of our home, retail stores, radio waves and hearts...oh, and update this blog.  ;) 

Next up, mini sessions from August!  I almost remember this day like it was last week...earlier in the day I had 5 kiddos romping through my house.  Two 4-year olds, two 2-year olds and an 11 month old.  Nothing particularly bad happened, but it just makes for a busy morning.  Glancing back at my calendar I had a laundry list of short edits, a print order to submit and some bills to pay during my kids' quiet time.  I remember being absolutely depleted of energy heading to this session. Little did I know the odds would ever be in my favor as I clicked my 50mm into place and took my crouched position to get at kid-level.  First up was our God-son.  What a hoot!  For real, this just-turned-five-year-old posed on the corner of the gazebo and said, 'Hey Miss Amanda, can we take some candid pictures,' and proceed to glance over his shoulder and gaze and the pond.  In shock I just sat there, almost confused until he jolted me back to reality with his follow up comment while not moving his head but straining to look me at out of the corner of his brilliant blue eyes, 'You know, you take pictures of me when I'm not looking at the camera.'  I barely caught the slightest smuggest grin trying to escape that precious face.  This kid's got it!




And these two ladies!  Oh wow, I remember their session from last year (or the year before....my, time flies!)  How easy and natural they are in front of the camera!  They are both in dance and you can tell it blankets their way of living.  From the way they walk and interact every little move is fluid and grace-filled.  So naturally they can strike a pose without my instruction and flash that red-carpet smile!  Oh my day was made!!






Thanks for stopping by!  Don't forget to keep tabs with my work and 'like' my business page on Facebook!

Friday, October 10, 2014

Talon Winery Summer 2014

We are surely already into fall and I'm just getting around to posting these images from JULY.  Oh my!  We've been a lil busy making memories...





And I somehow manage time to squeeze a few more cuties into my schedule...enjoy!












Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Welcome Baby S!

Welp, lil Miss S is coming up on her 3month session so it must be time to catch up on blog posts!  First up is her mama's (and big sisters with daddy) maternity session.  Such a lively gaggle of girls this young man has and they are all very photogenic!  Pssst scroll on down to see her images from her newborn sesh.







Nothing brings the family together than mama and daddy's bed...at least in our house!  Simple, fresh and REAL.  Miss S was quite the cooperative subject.  Though she was awake for her entire shoot she was quite content to just look around and attempt to find a finger to suck on.  Darn those swaddling cloths!  ;)  I hope you enjoy!  Don't forget to stop Amanda Mitchell Photography on Facebook and 'like' my page to keep up with upcoming sessions and teasers from all my sessions!







Thursday, August 21, 2014

Some time off


Yup, that means I'm not booking any more sessions than what I've already committed for the rest of the year.  I may get a little crazy and have a mini session or two in the fall, so keep an eye on my facebook page to see when I'm scheduling.  

Thanks ya'll!

Friday, July 18, 2014

Welcome Baby F :: Newborn Photography

Customers who purchase a baby package are always fun and exciting to work with!  Sometimes we meet before their bundle of love makes his or her arrival for a maternity session and sometimes I meet them the first time during the newborn session.  What is so unique is that I get to document the lil's one for a whole year!  It was always bittersweet to finish that 1 year old session, but I shouldn't get ahead of myself just yet!  

Baby F rocked his session, especially in the beginning with the handmade primitive props (made by his great grandfather)!  He was quite happy, just mostly alert and wiggly!  He wasn't much for being swaddled but preferred being in his mama's arms.  We couldn't accomplish everything on our wish list for poses, but we did the best we could with a wakeful newborn.  Treasure the memories because he won't be this small for long!

Enjoy!






 Sweet prop made my this babe's great-grandfather.


 Sleepy smiles are the best!

 I'm sleeping...
Hahah!  Fooled ya! 

Interested in your own baby package or giving one as a gift?  Check here for pricing!  Want to know what props I have on hand?  Check here for all the good stuff!

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

June at the Arboretum

This session brought me a new family to work with as well as a family who has used me for the past few years (I love repeats as much as new faces).  Between work, baseball and vacation sessions I managed to squeeze in this session.  Since I haven't been to the Arboretum recently, I wasn't quite sure what I was going to get in the way of blooms.  Unfortunately we were kinda between 'seasons.'  I made it to the Arboretum earlier this spring for the daffodils (missed the tulips...early by 1 week), by the time this session rolled around the Iris were long gone and I had just missed the Columbine (waahhh).  Fortunately the Arboretum has much more to offer than just blooms.  Nice benches, greenery and AH-HA a big 'ol tree trunk for the lil ones! 

I hope you enjoy them!

 Photos taken at The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky, Lexington, KY