{A Country Sneak Peek}

had a GREAT session in the rain last week with this cute couple!

Mini Shoots-Sneak Peeks...

Mini shoots are a great way to get some CUTE pictures really fast for lots cheaper than a regular session and without having to settle for boring ol' chain stores. I am planning another UTAH mini-shoot mid-end January so get with me soon if you are interested and we will settle on a date.

Fall Family Fun...{sneak peek}

...hope you enjoy...I had a great time taking them, your family is awesome!
give me a few more days and I will have them all ready for you.

{Sneak Peek}

Since I totally can't keep these to myself until proofing time...

Black and White or Color?

That is the question for every image!

{Fantasy Art}

Just wanted to share something fun that we can do with you-using any saying, posing...what ever you can dream up (or want me to dream up)

Beautiful Family Sneak Peek...

...What a CUTE family you are! It was a blast catching up with (and meeting) you!

M + A = Your Sneak Peek...

...I had such a joyous day with you guys, and I hope the honeymoon was wonderful and you are settling well!

I wish you guys all the luck you are such a cute, cute couple and I hope you will be able to look back on these pictures and always remember your wonderful day and the love you obviously have for each other!

Digital Painting...

...another addiction coming soon to you.
~CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE BIGGER~

This one was taken from an actual portrait session

the full version


100% crop or another print option


another 100% crop


This one was taken from a snapshot from this sweeties mom

the original shot


the painting

K + M = {Sneak Peek}

...You two are the PERFECT couple-so cute and very obviously head over heels in LOVE!

I have started going through all the many many pictures and I have to say with everyone I open I like them more and more. Here are a few ... I will set up your gallery in a couple of weeks when ALL of them are done!
















Thank you SO SO much for letting me be a part of your super fun day, hope you had a great honeymoon!

Beautiful Little Girl...[sneak peek]

...isn't she a doll?

On Location...

...Literally means I will take pictures anywhere-some restrictions apply-even a laundromat.

Sneak Peek...

...these kids were AWESOME I had a blast! Thank you! Mom and Dad I will email you the link to your gallery as soon as I get through all the shots (probably by next week).


I am so glad he did his "model pose" for me!

So Guess What...

...I am changing the look of my professional blog again, this will hopefully be the last time for a while. I wanted something very simple and clean looking for my website and was having a hard time doing that with my last color pallate so that is why the change.

I am really hoping that by the end of the month my new site will be live and I will be able to start to market to my new area and future clients here in Idaho.

Since I am updating my portfolio I figure I would come here and put up some new pictures to give you an idea of what you will soon be able to see (this also lets me see my pictures up against the colors I have choosen-gotta make sure they look good :)













I would love to hear what you think of my new look :)

So it has been too long...

...I am slowly getting into the photography swing of things here in Idaho. January and February have always been slow months for me and it is even more true in a new state/area so I am focusing more on my new website, but thought I would pop over here and add a couple of pictures...





PS) I also have a *more personal* blog if any of my many readers (I know there are at least 3 of you...haha) don't already have it and want the link let me know...I update it daily which could be why this one is left neglected so often :)

The cutest baby ever...

...but I a bit biased as she is mine *heart*

She is nine months and the perfect little model for these leggings and hats. Trust me there will be lots more to come, but one set a day is about all she can stand :)

As I have had a lot of inquires about the hats and leggings I have created a new blog... http://frillsndeals.blogspot.com/ (I know that is all I need...another blog ;) )





this is how she tells me she is done for the session



Watch for more to come...these are so much fun!

Calling all parents of older kids/tweens...

...I am updating my portfolio for the 2008 year and realized that I don't have any new images of any kids older than 6 and I really want a well balanced portfolio :)
I am looking for ages 7-14 but wouldn't refuse 15-16 year olds

SO>>> if you have a child, or know of a child that lives in the Northern Utah or Southern Idaho area and is willing to let me to borrow them for my portfolio please reply here or email me (fill out the contact form on my website www.amynielson.com ) and I will get back to you about when and where and all the other fun details. Sessions will not take place until after Christmas (possibly during Christmas break)

What is in it for you? Well until I fill my quota you will receive a complimentary session (a $100 value) and prints 25% off...or a babysitter (of said child) for 2 hours if you don't want any prints.

Thank you!

I will leave you with the oldest child in my portfolio to date...isn't he a stud!

I have been tagged...

...and while I have tons of work to do I am grateful for the little distraction!

So my cousin Scott tagged me :)
1-The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
2- Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3- At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
So here we go-

Five Things I was doing 10 years ago-

So lets see that was 1997 and I was 16...how am I supposed to remember that far back?
#1 I was a Jr. at Northridge High School
#2 I was a volunteer at Davis Hospital
#3 I was taking ski lessons
#4 I went to the Christmas girls choice dance with Mike
#5 hummm I really can't think of anything else...sorry

Five Things on my to-do list today-

#1 Dishes...done
#2 Clean bathroom...done
#3 Grocery shop...done
#4 Take pictures of my kids...not done...what can I say they are usually the last ones done for the season and I have too much other work to finish up. They might have to wait until after Christmas :)
#5 Write Christmas letters...done

Five Snacks I enjoy-

#1 String Cheese
#2 Grapes in Peanut Butter
#3 Wheat Thins
#4 Pretzels
#5 Mint Hot Chocolate

Five things I would do if I were a Billionaire-

#1 Buy some land, build a nice modest house (who wants to clean a huge house and who wants a maid) with a nice studio, landscape the yard to use for pictures as well as for wedding receptions.
#2 Buy all the lenses I want to go with my new camera (those things can add up so I may not get all of the ones I want).
#3 Take my family to Itally to see our villa
#4 Get as many degrees as I can
#5 Start a home for kids needing a good home.

Three of my bad habits-

#1 I am a nail bitter
#2 The WORST passenger driver ever
#3 Cracking my knuckles

Five places I have lived-

#1 South Weber UT
#2 Roy UT
#3 Itally for 17 days (having to stretch this list out)
#4 Switzerland for 2 days (stretching even more)
#5 Oakley ID

Five jobs I’ve had-

#1 Baby Sitter
#2 Little Chicago Pizza and Smoothies
#3 Physical Therapy Aide/Receptionist/Water Aerobics Instructor/Transcriptionist
#4 Photographer
#5 MOM...the best job in the world!

Five things people probably don’t know about me-

#1 I would go to bed at 8:00 if I could
#2 I hate, hate, hate cereal...will not eat it!
#3 I will only eat celery in my mom's egg/potato salad or chicken salad
#4 I am writting a book
#5 I want to be a wedding planner

The following people have been tagged by me-
Chad, Kathy, Carrie, Sephanie and Ellen
PS) I copied this onto my *public* blog since that is the one that my name links to :)

Oh and here are some of her birdals...

It has been brought to my attention...

...That I have not posted any of this cute couple's wedding :)here are a few...














I will get your album to you soon after the new year!

Okay here are some more from this session...

...it was a double session these two are cousins and oh so cute with great personalities









Wedding pictures are coming soon...wanted to wait for K and J to get back from the honeymoon :)

Wow...we are starting to feel more settled...

...who would have thought it would take so long to feel settled, of course it doesn't help that we have spent the past 4 of 6 weekends in Utah :) Just thought I would update all you that read my blog (if there are any :) ) I am still around and hope to get the blog back up and hopping soon!

For now just one of my favorites from a session this past week...

I will post more later I just started proofing these

~Click on the image to view bigger and who knew it would clash so bad with the blog colors :)~



PS) did I mention that I got a new camera? I DID!!! I am now a Canon 40D user. So far I am really loving the added creativity I have at my disposal...

Changes...Changes...Changes...

Oh so many changes coming our way.
First, the look of my blog and I am in the process of revamping the website too with this revamp will come new prices, specials and services so watch for them.
Second, this is our final week in our house that has been home for the past 7 years, the house Greg and I bought when we got married. We have to be out by Friday.
Third, with the move I have quit my day job and will be able to stay home with the kids and build my photography business.
Forth, we are moving out of the good ol' state of Utah, to Idaho. I will be building up a new clientele there, but plan to still be available for my clients here, sessions will be limited but available.

My wise uncle stated...Change is often as good as a vacation...
I am in complete agreement! I am very excited, but nervous for these changes. I will be sure to update here once we are all settled in Idaho.

For now I will leave you all with this cute picture of my kids...

J + K

You guys rock! Can't wait for the bridals and wedding :)

{click on the images to see a bit bigger}





















Had tons of fun you guys...let me know about Friday :)

So what do you do on a dark rainy day when there are a bunch of kids at your house...

...you take pictures of course. Since the lighting was zilch I thought I would try for some silhouettes.



This is my curly headed little boy, I love how you can see the curls in this!

Cute little almost one year old...

Just a little sneak peak into this totally fun session! It was so much fun!

What a crazy busy summer we have been having...

I haven't been able to get on the computer for much more then proofing these days...I just noticed that I was tagged quite a while ago (sorry). I will get on that soon :)

Thought I would drop in some pictures real fast as I have a second I better take advantage of. I always love taking pictures of babies and this one was so easy! She is a doll. This was actually the first session I did without a backdrop for the whole thing. Kinda fun, but a challenge too.







I did get some with my black backdrop for the sake of tradition :) I love binki babies!





I will try not to take so long to post more pictures! I actually have a one year old coming up soon...I am excited she is such a cutie!

5 year old cowgirl...

aint she a cutie?!

1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


10


these ones were my favorites!!

So three weeks later...

...I finally have a second to post a few more pictures. Actually these were taken yesterday. I was having the hardest time keeping her asleep in that cold metal basket (go figure..shesh :) ) but the good ol' vacuum cleaner came through for me again, turned that thing on and she was out and stayed sleep. Best tip I ever got for a newborn session is to keep the vacuum close.

Oh isn't she just SO DANG CUTE!!









This one was done on my window shelf, blowing out the window. I also bounced my flash to put life back in her eyes. I also had to take this picture with her gink as I hadn't turned on the vacuum yet, and because my other 2 kids refused to use one, wanted to document that she loves it!



Okay so one (or more) of these pictures will be used for her announcement, which one would you choose? I am having a hard time choosing.

Introducing Skyelynn Sarah

Baby #3, made her apperance last Thursday 3/22/07, early in the morning. We are all doing well trying to get our nights and days figured out.



I will resume sessions in May, possibly the last couple weeks in April (on an as needed basis).

Still waiting for baby #3...

...so we took the two others to the Tree House in Ogden. I wanted to try shooting darker but still accurate exposures and then using darker black and white conversions. I am pretty pleased with these results...

Fire Girl...reading on the job ;)







Girl Doctor...checking out slides and x-rays





We will just call him the adventurer...he was all over the place taking it all in. I love the faces in these shots.





If you live within driving distance of Ogden and have kids, you have to take them to the Tree House it was so awesome to see their imaginations spark right before my eyes. It also helped pass some time waiting for the baby. Tomorrow sounds like a good day to me :)

On Maternity Leave for a while...

With baby number 3 due any day now I am offially on maternity leave for a while. I can still be reached and will still be booking starting back in May. Feel free to contact me by phone or email. (contact info on my website).

I will leave you with a few just for fun pictures... hiked Angels Landing (in Zions NP) with my sisters a couple weeks ago. Wow what a feat and challenge, but oh what a rush!







This is a zoomed in image of the one above...

Ah wedding bliss...

Congratulations you guys, you make a perfect pair! Thanks for letting me be a part of your happy day. I wish you the best.

Here is a sneak peek; I couldn't resist looking at them as soon as possible.














And some quick ones of the bridal party playing around before the reception...

Ahh...warmth

It was about 70* while we were doing this session. I was in shorts and sweating, much different then the last bridal session we had where it was 20 something and grey. We actually could have used some cloud coverage for some of these shots, but then the brides maids would have had nothing to do...

This first image is to show appreciation to them. They were such hard workers and totally did not gripe or complain once (for those of you not there that was a sarcastic comment, and I can use sarcasim as they are my sisters) Seriously though they were great and thanks to them we get the next 2 images...



















Look at these fast I will leave them up for a couple of days and then take them down until after the wedding. Here are a few from our other/cold session just for fun...

Sorry you missed them...

... Since Crystal has seen her bridals I deleted them (for the time being) so that by accident Brett didn't see them. I really trust that he wouldn't come looking, but I would hate for it to be an accident. I will re post Crystal's bridals after the wedding in March.

Customize your engagement announcements...

When I ordered my announcements, when I got married, we picked one we liked out of a book of limited options sent it to the printers (without seeing it complete) and ended up sending it back 2 more times because of errors. When they finally got it right it was crunch time to get them sent out.

I offer customized announcements for this reason. These guys came over the other day and we sat down and figured out exactly what they wanted. They had all say in the way it looked, when we got them back they loved them...as they should since they designed it :)


Here is the front of the card...



Here is the back of the card...



And then here are a few more pictures of their session. In all they had 80 or so proofs to choose from (not including all the proofs offered in black and white and other conversions).

1st Engagement of the Year

So I can honestly say it is my favorite! These were taken at Beus Pond, The Union Station and 25th Street. It was a frigid 16* F today at best. We were very glad to have had the sun! Of course some cloud coverage would have provided warmer temps.

There isn't a lot of post production done to these, and I was so loving the color that I didn't even convert one to black and white. If you want to know my EXIF data or see one converted let me know.

...So here are a bunch of them...

First day of 2007

Happy New Year to you all!

Last year was a great year, thank you all for your support.

My focus last year was to build a portfolio of random images. From taking pictures of all ages I realized that my passion lies more in the older population. I feel I have a better understanding of this type of photography and will specialize more in this. I have decided to focus this year on Seniors (meaning high school, but wouldn't turn away the citizens either), couples engagements, and bridals. I am also going to be studying weddings with the hopes of getting some experience with more seasoned photographers and start building a portfolio here as well.

This does not mean that I will not take pictures of babies, kids, and families, it basically means that I will focus more on the other this year.


So that said funny that my first picture entires will be of my beautiful daughter Jacey, my very willing subject (most days)

I got a digital slave flash for Christmas this year and here are my first shots with it in a studio type setup. The flash was bounced into, of all things, a laundry basket (talk about professional) I am getting an umbrella soon, but the basket actually worked pretty well.

My settings were ISO 200 ss 125 f2.2 and again bounced flash. For my first attempt I am pretty satisfied, but see much room for improvements.

This shot is just for fun, not your typical photograph, I did actually mean to have the focus the way it is too. It was more for capturing her movement and after all isn't that what childhood is about?

I am looking forward to the New Year, trying new things and finding my passion more and more daily. Thanks for looking, and remember any comments you wish to share is much appreciated.

PS) all the entries from last year are not lost they can still be found here... http://www.amynielson.com/awn/blog.html I just wanted to start one specifically for my business and the other will be more for my family updates, although there will be pleanty of family pictures here too.