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

christensen family | vacation family photography | traverse city, michigan

This adorable family was planning to vacation in Traverse City this summer, and contacted me desiring a family session to document their time there. I thought it was such a clever idea! To approach something that you really desire, but might be stressful, and execute it while in relaxation mode on vacation! Andrea, you’re a genius. And it paid off, because we had so much fun running around on the beach and throwing rocks and shells in the water.

If I could do every session with this weather and this backdrop, I would. Thank you summer!

xo

amanda

the kroupa family | traverse city, michigan

Guys. This family. 

I don't even want to talk about how the sky was the perfect color or how their outfits were on point or how the low hanging tree branches were picturesque or how Grace was the perfect little model. But yes, all true, as you'll see.

This family is dear to me and I'm honored to continue to photograph them year after year. They even let me design their Christmas card every year and trust me to make outfit and location decisions without blinking an eye {more families than just them, by the way, but this is a shout out to the Kroupas!}. They laugh with me {maybe sometimes at me? ;)} while I arrange them and offer them posing cues while we capture them right where they are at. 2018. Embracing this season of life and doing it really really well. 

That's all.

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

justin + jenna + alyvia | traverse city, michigan

It's no secret that photographing friends, new and old, is one of my favorite pastimes. So far, photographing families, babies, couples, seniors, and events has gone with me all over the United States-- Idaho, Arkansas, Florida, Wyoming, Illinois and of course Michigan. Living in Detroit happens to be super cool for many things, and photographing people is no exception. But honestly, my favorite place in the state for sessions is not Detroit-- drive a lot further north and everywhere between Buckley and Northport is where I'd like to be all summer snapping away. 

This spring, I had a full weekend of sessions in the Traverse City area. Chilly was expected, even a little snow, but not to the volume that was found. It happened to be a beautiful weekend (high 50s!) but the snow was so abundant that even after days of this warm up, the snow remained. So, we went with it! Sandals and snow? Sure! If you are reading this and you are from Michigan, you understand. 50 degrees warrants sandals every. single. spring. Am I right?!

This family had the best attitude about the melting snow, high sun, and mild temps that weekend. We had a blast walking around Traverse City, finding good light and catching up. 

Thanks for keeping me busy, Jenna! Can't wait till I get to photograph your sweet family again :)

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.