Senam - God's Gift {Edwardsville, Illinois Photographer}

Not only is Senam a beautiful little man but he also carries a beautiful name. Amanda contacted me a while back letting me know she loved my work. She put a big smile on my face that day. Then a few months later contacted me to do a shoot during the time they would be in town for Thanksgiving. I am glad our schedules worked out because they were wonderful in front of the camera. Connor tagged along with me to help me carry some things and to entertain Senam with Elmo during the shoot. Connor has not stopped talking about him since the shoot! I think that the A family will have to come back and visit soon just so Connor can play with Senam again.

Thanks A family! I hope you had a safe trip home :) Blessings, Amanda

Yep, that right, I met Pioneer Woman!!!! {St. Louis, MO Photographer}

So Kim Drury and I had a lovely dinner and headed out to meet Pioneer Woman. We thought it wouldn't be that busy and we would kind've be in and out. By kind've we thought we would only have to wait an hour or two. Bahahaha! We were so wrong. I think we were there over three hours. I know we arrived at 7:00 p.m. and I didn't get home until 11:30 and I live pretty close! So I brought my craptastic camera and she forgot hers-hence the awful photos. Next time I do something like this I will bring a good camera along with me :)

So enjoy and be jealous - very jealous ;)

The one and only PW!!!


Yep, he is super cowboy hotness in person :)


We are dorks! LOL!

One of the youngins!



Go out and buy the CB! It is amazing!



Jealous are you? Yep, I thought so ;)

And Carter turns 1!!!! {Edwardsville, Illinois Photographer}

I know that you have seen this precious face grace my blog quite a bit. Carter is truly a blessing to this entire world and I know his parents are in madly in love with him. I can't wait to celebrate his most special birthday with him soon. Here is a little quote for him.

"I am wishing you another year of laughter, joy and fun,
Surprises, love and happiness and when your birthdays done,
I hope you feel deep in your heart,
As your birthdays come and go,
How very much you mean to me,
More than you'll ever know."
~ Joanna Fuchs~

How beautiful is that? A perfect birthday poem to celebrate an amazing little life!

Love, Amanda






Isn't this like the third session we have used this blanket and these poses? It will be fun to compare them and see how much he has grown!



Just wow. Gorgeous.











Ashley, I know you are going to kill me for this but it was too cute not to post :) Mwah!

Giddy with family love {O'fallon, Illinois Photographer}

A while back when I was blogging I used to put in quotes or little versus that touched my hearts or reminded me of clients. I have decided to go back to that. I get told a lot that my photography is whimsical and romantic. So I figured I should probably write that way, which I may but who knows. It is hard to give yourself a style or something because you look at it so differently than other people do.

So meet the "B" family. Oh, they are so much fun. My few hours with them went by fast and they treated me like a member of the family :) I love working with repeat clients. You build relationships and friendships. Ties that you hope last throughout your career and beyond. Thank you "B" family for making me always feel welcome and appreciating my art. Here is a special quote I found for you:

"And thank you for a house full of people I love. Amen." ~Ward Elliot Hour





Pure cuteness and full of personality!

A wedding with Kellie Penn {Alton, IL Wedding Photographer}

I had the pleasure of working with Kellie Penn (www.acrossthemilesphotography.com) the other weekend. She emailed me a while back asking to 2nd shoot for her and I would have shouted yes but it was over email so I wrote, "YES!!!". I "met" Kellie almost a year and a half ago on one of my favorite photography forums. We only met one time prior to this at a Sandy Puc workshop but I felt like we had known eachother forever. We are the same age, both Christian women, have children, married to amazing men and share the passions. Please enjoy these photos from Sean and Missy's wedding. They were married at the most beautiful old church in Alton and had the reception in old downtown Alton. We even took pictures by the tallest man statute!!!!! Anyway, they are amazingly in love and I wish them the best :)

Kellie, I had an amazing day shooting with you - even if I was sick :) I can't wait to do it again! Love, Amanda





Um, yes, your eyes do not decieve you. That is a real bird! Missy was such a trooper and caught it and released it back into the wild - Cinderella style!











Kellie had everyone go stand at the top of the hill and posed them. I thought she was getting a fun shot of them so I thought I would get the same shot but a silhouette style! When she was done we looked at our photos and we both had the same idea! LOL! Great mind think alike :)

























This goes in my top 10 favorite photos :)


This is Miss Kellie :) THank you again girl!