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

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

the expecting jakel family | grosse pointe, michigan

Nothing was going to stop this session from happening on this summer day-- Stephanie and I were determined. With busy summer schedules and maternity timing just right, we didn't want to postpone. 

The light was exceptional and Niko was happy-- two factors that just minutes before we started shooting were looking pretty grim. We waited two hours to start this session and very happily took the time to catch up instead, while anxiously waiting to see what the weather would do. But the thunderstorm passed and Niko got his second wind, and we set out to the lakeshore to capture this sweet time of waiting they are in, waiting for baby Jakel to make his or her entrance into this world. It turns out, after all our waiting that evening, God had an exceptional one planned for us. How awesome too to know that He has already planned the life of this little one on the way-- he knows every minute, every choice, every detail of their life, and this family has the privilege of watching it all unfold. 

I'm thankful for this sweet family and the friendship Stephanie and I have. I'm thankful for this little one on the way. I can't wait to photograph them as a family of four!