callum | lifestyle newborn photography | traverse city, michigan

You guys.

2020 came and went and I published a total of four whole blog posts, all before May, and then went straight up silent. (I did stay current on instagram — check that out here if you’re interested.) It’s safe to say this global pandemic has taken a toll on my motivation to blog. I am grateful, however, that this does not mean I wasn’t out there capturing you all— I certainly was, more than any other year!

I am back here to say, wow, where did the time go? and also, I still have pretty pictures to share and really want to share them with you!

This session is one of my absolute favorite newborn sessions as of late. You will quickly see that the O’Donnel’s home was the ideal backdrop for crisp, bright, beautiful photographs. Truthfully, it was a photographers dream!

Enjoy this precious family and let me know what you think!

xo,

amanda kay

brian james | lifestyle newborn photography | clinton township, michigan

Brian James came into his family as the third child, third boy, third little guy I had the privilege to photograph with their cute owl blanket. The extra-specialness that this little guy brings is out of this world.

{Head on back to the archives to see his brother Shane’s session. I didn’t blog Luke’s session but am adding his photo at the end of this post!}

and here’s a photo of Luke, for evidence that the blanket made it to all three sessions ;)

happy quarantine, friends.

xo

amanda kay

elliet elizabeth | lifestyle newborn photography | traverse city, michigan

friends! another baby on the blog, coming at ya!

I’ve had the privilege of photographing Val, Kyle, Payton and Samson (can’t forget the pup!) in the past, but this time, they’ve added little one to their family! Meet Elliet (Ellie!) Elizabeth.

Being invited to capture this time in their life gave me mad feels, ya know?! This job just keeps getting better.

Val is such an inspiration to me when it comes to keeping it real and executing serious self care (see what I mean and give her a follow at @fit_dentalgrl on insta!). Keep scrolling to check out their in home newborn session (Ellie was actually one day from a month old!), complete with dog and crazy good coordinating colors!

xo

amanda kay

harbour annelies | lifestyle newborn photography | detroit, michigan

Last week I met Harbour; she is the sweetest addition to her family, whom I met in July for their maternity+family session. I love meeting new babies in their home surrounded by their loved ones. I love witnessing parents in their first couple of days or weeks as they adjust to this new human in their arms and in their hearts. And I’m honored to be trusted to capture it.

Do you have photographs from when your baby was just born? I have very few with me in them, but the ones I do have, I cherish. I don’t want to forget that version of me, or them. I want to remember the feeling of holding the little human who I labored over to get into this world, healing me with every snuggle and coo. I want to remember that new version of me who was so drastically different than just days before, when I hadn’t yet met this tiny life.

I hope you enjoy this little snippet of the Arntson’s new normal captured in these photographs!

xo

amanda


sloane | lifestyle newborn photography | detroit, michigan

meet Sloane!

She’s well over a month old now, but I had the pleasure of meeting her after her first week of being born! She was so sleepy, which honestly, has been rare for my newborns these days. It was so precious to capture her peaceful self during her session.

I was invited to document Maureen and Nate’s journey in pregnancy and then once baby arrived— this, friends, is my favorite. I love being able to capture your story along the way! Thanks for inviting me in!

xo

amanda

augustine palmer | newborn | detroit, michigan

On his 4 week birthday, I’d love to introduce you to Auggie! Or Augustine Palmer, more properly. I had a blast having him and his adoring siblings and hero parents in my studio— my biggest group yet, at 8!

come back soon, simkins!

xo

amanda


elodie jo | newborn | traverse city, michigan

When I first met Jen, I had known of her for quite some time, but we never crossed paths. When a dear, mutual friend was getting married, we officially met in all the pre-wedding festivities and were instant friends. You know when you meet someone, and you feel like you've known them forever? That's Jen for me. So each time I've spent time with her since then, it feels like old friends reconnecting.

As you can imagine, when she asked me to capture her daughter as a newborn, I was over the moon. A chance to hang AND photograph Elodie? Yes please. 

One thing is for sure, these three belong in front of the camera. Thank you, Andersons, for the authenticity and joy you brought to this session. 

xo

amanda

ellie ray | 10 weeks new | driggs, idaho

I think Idaho is the furthest I've traveled for a photo shoot? 

It may not have been why I went {it wasn't}. But I couldn't be around this cuteness and not document it. 

I was in Idaho this July was because I found myself within four hours {SLC with other dear friends!} of my dear friend Norah and I could not pass up the opportunity to spend 24 hours with her and her family, and to meet Ellie. So we took advantage of the situation and planned it. Being with them = pure joy. Our shared experiences go back to preschool, and now they include motherhood. Read: happy heart.

You may remember I photographed Norah and her new baby bump last Thanksgiving... here she is now with Ellie Ray, the sweetest little peanut who is the closest thing to a niece to me without actually being related. 

Ellie dear, I love you. Till the next time I get to kiss your cheeks and hug your mama, dear one.

xo

amanda

amalya june | newborn | gross pointe, michigan

seriously guys. so many sweet babies. 

Since I've known Beth, she has looked forward to the days of motherhood. This little peanut was long awaited and is already so so loved by her sweet parents. 

The best part about this session was that it was actually two-- I got to meet Amalya when she was under 24 hours old and capture her sweet little face in the hospital! This was also my first time photographing a fresh babe in the hospital, and I loved every minute. 

Then, one week later, her newborn session took place at their home. This family of three was so inviting and cheery on what I know had been little rest. Amalya opened her eyes once or twice but mostly slept like an angel through the whole thing. 

Beth and Bill, well done. Thank you for inviting me in and letting me be a part of your first week as parents! Cheers to many more playdates in our future.

xo 

amanda

 

eowyn ember | newborn | detroit, michigan

10 days new, Wynnie is here!

almost two years ago now, when I first made the leap to start my business, Lincoln and Alana were among the first to let me to photograph them. I look back at their session, my first blogpost, and am so deeply grateful for their friendship and encouragement and trust over the years.

and now they have A BABY!

meet sweet Eowyn Ember.

after a casual walk down the street to mural photographs and a hot cup of coffee at Red Hook, Lincoln and Alana showed me their beautiful bed that had been decorated by their sweet friend. all the while, it was evident Eowyn was designed for them, and they for her, all thanks to our glorious Creator.

they fit together so perfectly. what a joy it was to photograph them as a family of three!

xo

amanda

ethan james | newborn | interlochen, michigan

Are you ready to feel all the feels?

Ok, but seriously, this is a story truly worth reading. Haley asked me to tell it here, on the blog. Maybe because of the redemption in life. Maybe to point people to Jesus. Maybe because she is unexplainably brave. Maybe all that and more. Whatever the reason, it is an incredible honor to share a slice of this story.

This sweet family is celebrating the recent birth of their rainbow baby, Ethan James. Oh, what a joy it is to see Haley hold him in her loving arms. 

In 2015, Haley, Brad, and Grace experienced an unimaginable loss— their baby, taken home to heaven, too early for their hearts to bear. A miscarriage. A baby lost; a life who’s future they had imagined in theirs. 

While they were suffering, I was pregnant with my son. I could not understand God’s ways— why her and not me? Why her baby and not mine? Why this pain? We had been pregnant with our first babies at the same time too, and it was oh so sweet. How fun to experience it together again! we had said.

Through her loss, her sadness, her pain, I experienced confusion, sadness. This story is not about me. But I want to share with you the kind of friend I have in Haley:

One day, a couple of weeks after her miscarriage was confirmed, still raw and very real, she asked me, had I felt any movements? In fact, I had, I told her; I cautiously told her I began feeling movement the very day her miscarriage was confirmed. This brought me deep sadness— but it was a sadness that brought me to pray for her each time I felt those flutters. I took it as from God, but didn’t share it with her at the time, out of sensitivity, and a little embarrassment. You know what she told me that day, as we sat FaceTiming, both crying? Something like this: Amanda, you don’t have to hide your joy from me. I am joyful with you! Just as you have experienced sorrow alongside me, I experience joy with you.

Love. Grace. 

This is friendship in Jesus. This is being like Christ. 

Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

After struggling with infertility, loss, the pain in time, and waiting, waiting on the Lord, Haley now holds Ethan James in her arms. Yes, He can make good from all things. He will and he does. 

clare | newborn | detroit, michigan

At just one week old, I met Clare. 

I'll keep this post light on words and heavy on pictures because choosing which images to share here on the blog was no easy task— so much to love. 

Rachel and Andrew, you created a beauty. I’m so happy that God made you Clare's parents. He couldn’t have picked a more loving duo to bring her into this world! Thanks for sharing her with me!

evie catherine | newborn | ypsilanti, michigan

I met little Evie {pronounced E-V} when she was just 10 days old. That seems to be, to the day, the time I meet most of my little newborn models. The timing is the perfect pause to capture lifestyle images like the ones you'll see in this post. And on those days, during the session, I feel as though I can't quite express how grateful I am that their parents invite me into their home during such a new, sweet time. Hear me here-- I am SO grateful. I love photographing new life, new parents, new families. 

It was an extra-snuggles-required type of day for Evie, which I always welcome. You'll see lots of images with her wrapped up in mom or dad's arms-- the perfect backdrop for a peaceful baby. 

Chelsea and Justin, enjoy your sweet little one. Thank you for inviting me in to capture some of the first memories with your daughter!

shane alexander | newborn | clinton township, michigan

On Christmas Eve Eve, I had the privilege of meeting Shane. He was only ten days new! But his parents and I go way back, thanks to my husband. {sidenote-- does anyone else's significant other provide them with stellar friends?? Mine does.}

I have many things I adore about close friends becoming parents-- their adorable babies {of course}, the ability to relate on another level, the kindred spirits in the chaos. But my favorite is the unexplainable transformation that occurs from the moment they become parents.

It wasn't long before these photos were taken that I took maternity photographs of Kristy, and spent some time with her and Joe. They were tired, anxious, very ready. Then, meeting them for the first time as parents, to see them with Shane, so in love with this little life-- it was beautiful. I was {am} giddy for them and what they have for their life ahead. Don't get me wrong-- they were tired, maybe anxious, figuring out all the new things. Parenting {aka sleep deprivation; caring for your heart that's now outside of your body; etc} is hard work! But now "Shane's parents" is a part of their identity, and it looks so good on them.

Shane, we adore you. Can't wait to watch you grow, little one. 

As always, thanks for looking, friends. I'd love to capture your milestones, too. Give me a shout! 

xo amanda

Eva Jean {Grosse Pointe Woods, MI}

Eva Jean was two weeks old when I visited her and her mom, dad, and pup Ozzie for her newborn session. I have a special place in my heart for sessions like these, with new parents and new life-- precious firsts I adore capturing for friends.

I feel compelled to throw out a little advice today, so take it or leave it:

Do you know anyone who just had a baby {or is going through any other traumatic/difficult/crazy event, really}? Love on them. That way you express that love may look different between individuals, but figure out what it is that they need and be there for them! Do they need more help around the house? More meals? More sleep? More space? Someone to cry to? To make them laugh? To dream with? To listen to their woes? Trust me, your efforts to love are accentuated when you take some time to figure out what it is they actually need-- whether it be physical or emotional. And you may not get it right at first! And that's okay.

On the flip side-- did you just have a baby? {Or are you going through something else traumatic/difficult/crazy?} Don't be afraid to reach out and tell your loved ones how they are needed. Communicate. Let people in to love you. But also understand that all humans love differently and sometimes it's the effort that counts. 

Love, people.

Emilee, Andy, Eva, and Ozzie, thanks for inviting me into the delicate and special time you are in. It means the world to me and I hope your first weeks together can be looked back on with fondness!

Nicholas Ryan {Grosse Pointe, MI}

When I got the invitation to shoot this session with Stephanie, Ryan, and baby Niko, I was giddy, as always is the case when I get to do what I love. And let me tell you, I LOVE spending sweet time in a family's home, capturing them and their little one.

My favorite thing about this shoot was the thoughtfulness Stephanie put into it beforehand-- in a casual yet organized way, she knew what she wanted to include but let me take the reigns on just how that would happen. The heirloom crib was my favorite-- I mean, who has a crib that has been passed down in their family since the late 1800s? They do. And it was so special to capture little Niko in it, carrying on the tradition.

As you'll notice, there was a lot of baby yawns going on during this session...his parents assured me he isn't always this calm and relaxed, but what a perfect hour he chose! I hope they remember him this way. So much cuteness. Thank you Stephanie and Ryan for sharing your little one with me!

 

 

Baby Clio {Boston to Michigan}

Lately I've had a {very welcomed} upsurge of newborn sessions, and anticipate more in the future {yay!}. Little Clio and her parents were visiting family in Rochester, Michigan, from Boston. I'm thankful for good friends and connections like this that keep me doing what I love. What's more, I'm thankful for the individuals who continue to trust me behind the camera. Honored, really.

Clio is a precious babe with personality and the strongest neck I've ever seen on an eight week old. She was content and sweet and loved looking at her mama. As it should be. 

Towards the end of our mini-session, Clio made it clear she was tuckered out and needed to catnap. With a little soothing from mom, she dozed off; her sweet face was peaceful and still content as she dreamed.  

I had more laughs in this mini session than I've had in a while-- thank you baby Clio for being so sweet, making me laugh, and reminding me of the squishy newborn joy the babe growing inside me is going to bring in just a few short months. 

Graceyn Lenore {Casper, WY}

Guys-- my niece is here. And she's every bit as beautiful, squishy, cuddly, and sweet as I hoped!

For a few months now, with their blessing, I've planned to visit my brother and sister-in-law soon after the arrival of sweet Graceyn. I'm thrilled that it worked out as it did; I made it here before she made it to three weeks old! Here I am, proudly watching them parent and watching her {mostly} sleep and make the best newborn silly faces you ever see. All while waiting for the perfect opportunity to document their little family.

One evening, just before the sun sunk behind the mountains, we scrambled around to capture the moments they'll {hopefully} remember fondly. I was beaming as I went through the photographs afterwards, and actually begged them to be my models for life. I mean, they photograph so well! These photos mean so much to me. Enjoy the highlights from this precious session.

Here's to parenthood and babies and airplanes that make five states away seem so much closer.