the pyle family | ann arbor, michigan

the summer seems to have wrapped up according to my schedule but the weather keeps on being warm, which means these days I'm over dressed with layers and that leave me much too warm... anyone else out there loves their fall wardrobe the best?

The Pyle Family chose me again this year for family photographs and I could not be more honored + thrilled to spend another hour with them! I absolutely love reconnecting with clients {friends!} year after year! This fall has been a really fun combination of new faces and familiar ones-- I love the excitement of meeting new friends and the ease that tends to come with reconnecting with old ones. 

Nichole brought balloons along to have a mini birthday shoot within their family session for Justine, who turns one this month. The balloons and the light and her smile came together to make something beautiful, and I do believe this milestone will be remembered and celebrated with these images for years to come!

Also, the "one" romper seen on Justine + the quilts used were all made by Nichole! Isn't she amazing?!

Thanks for inviting me into this season of life, Pyle family!

xo 

amanda

Norah {Casper, Wyoming}

Ten minutes of laughter in the Wyoming sunset and we've added to our 25 year long, beloved catalog of memories. 

Living far away from Norah has now become part of my normal. Time together is always special and feels like home to me. 

Our spur of the moment decision to capture their growing family on Thanksgiving day resulted in exactly what I shoot for--  pretty images that speak loud with memories. Thank you Norah and Cody and Baby Kuhn for allowing me to get my photog-fix while on vacation and for continuing to foster friendship with me and my family from afar.

xoxo Amanda

Greta {Lansing, MI}

This weekend's hangout included a casual maternity session. With the football game on and our husbands, dogs, and kiddo hanging in the room next door, I had the opportunity to spend some time hearing about the excitement of a very loved little boy on the way.

Greta is stunning. She had a vision for indoor photos, which was meaningful and sweet. Thankful for the natural light shining in, I posed her near windows and was happy with the results. These photos seemed to be really special to this mommy-to-be. But later, as I saw the sun going down and its glow seeping through the windows, I convinced her to come outdoors with me for a few poses-- and it was so worth it. 

I've notice lately that when I get behind the camera, I can't help but be energized-- in a giddy, can't stop smiling kind of way. While it may sound silly, in this season of thankfulness, I feel the need to say that I am thankful for the individuals who trust me to be behind the camera. Being here brings me joy in a way that I never thought possible. I'm trying my best to love others through this God given blessing; I'm so grateful. 

To Greta-- My hope is that these photos will have captured this moment in time so you remember how content you were, waiting for little Rock, preparing for his arrival with patience and love. It was so special to me to be a part of-- thank you!

The Murphy Family {Rochester Hills, MI}

The Murphy Family reminded me of the opportunity I have to get to know people through photographing them. It's not only what I look forward to, but what makes this adventure worth it for me. They set aside time for me, invited me in to a tiny part of their life, and allowed me to attempt at capturing their personality-- and it was so fun! 

In our short evening together, I had the privilege of watching this family laugh together, parent bravely, love one another, run around joyfully, be serious, be goofy, and genuinely express themselves on the other side of the camera. I was impressed by the kids' willingness to participate, and appreciated their desire to be elsewhere so I could shoot them in action. 

Being entrusted with family photographs is such an honor. Wally, Allison, Owen, Joel, and Caitlin, thank you for your confidence in me. It was such a joy spending time with you!

Lincoln + Alana {Detroit, MI}

Carpool commute, dinner, garden, adventure-- not always in that order. This describes the typical late-summer evening for the Hoey Moore duo. The invitation to document their routine evening was everything my soul had been craving-- rich fellowship, good eats, and a golden sunset. 

Dinner was prepared by both, while I danced around them with the camera as a record played from the dining room. Their efforts were equally simple and beautiful as they chopped, fried, measured and cleaned. A meal I'd never tasted before quickly emerged; the three of us were ready to rest and enjoy it by the time it hit the table.

The garden belongs to Alana's parents; its beauty took me by surprise. But Lincoln and Alana looked at home as they went to work-- unashamedly I interrupted their harvesting for a few poses, anxious to document that moment, in that garden, in the dreamy golden sunlight. 

The bouquet, design beautifully by Lisa Waud of Pot & Box in Hamtramck, was a gift to Alana from Lincoln on the previous day, her birthday. Its presence added a romance to the evening I'd be okay never forgetting. 

To be honest, I'm new to this storytelling type of shoot and wasn't sure how it was going to turn out. But a glimpse of the authentic love and richness in this ordinary evening can be found in these images, of which I hope Lincoln and Alana will forever treasure.