Wordless Wednesday! 2/29

It's been raining here every day this week, and I'm so ready for some dang sunshine! That's why I'm posting a couple old summer pictures of Sasha... from his 1st summer. 2009

Enjoy!

~Amanda

My love of Photography...

So, something you've probably noticed about my blog is that it always has a lot of pictures. There are multiple reason for that. I'm a visual learner... pictures interest me. Not that words don't, but I like to have a picture to associate with them. (Unless of course I'm reading a novel, which I love to do. I've graduated out of picture books.) However, with magazine articles, other blogs, etc, I want the visual stimulation. Another reason for all of my photos? 

I'm a photographer.

I have a small photography business. I focus mainly on family and child portraits... though on a personal level, I photograph just about anything. It's ALWAYS been an obsession for me.

I got my first camera when I was 4. It was out of a Kellogg's cereal box, and it took, excuse me, takes I-10 film. Yes, I still have that camera, with the little Kellogg's rooster. It's stored away at the moment, but I'll make it a point to find it, and photograph it, so you can see. It takes the grainiest of grainy pictures, but oh how I loved that thing. When I was in 3rd grade I upgraded to a point and shoot 35mm camera. Simple. No zoom. But it took clearer pictures than my cereal box find. It was all I asked for, and I was in heaven! I shot photos of everything, everywhere, and then used my small amount of chore money to develop the film. 

When I was in 6th grade, I upgraded again to a 35mm point and shoot... with a ZOOM!!! Oh. My. Gosh. It was, like, the coolest thing, like, EVER! haha By this time I had a new baby niece to photograph. She was my star. I fell in love taking pictures of children then. I also started taking tons of shots of the babies in the nursery at church, which the parents liked and appreciated. That camera lasted me until high school. 9th grade hit, and suddenly I was yearning for an SLR. I was in the yearbook class at school, so my dad bought me a Nikon N55. Half the photos in the yearbook that year were taken by me. I took so much pride in that. I wasn't overly popular in school. Just kind of average. I played soccer, was a member of FCA, an officer in the art club, etc. I was just the girl next door. For once, I felt like I got to shine. I loved that everyone saw my photos, and remembered me taking them. They were fun memories, and I'm glad I have them. That camera, which I still have, was my primary camera up until 2 years ago. I bought a few other 35mm SLR's. One off ebay, and from a boss. They're much older, and I love the way hey add that natural vignette look to the pictures I shoot with them. 

What changed 2 years ago? I was married, and had my 1st child. I couldn't afford to spend so much money developing film all the time, and I was taking TONS of pictures. Of course! (I still have a bag full of film that need to be developed... it's been collected over the course of the last decade. Something that will take me hundreds of dollars to finally get all done.) So, for my 1st Mother's Day, my wonderful husband bought me my first, and hopefully not my last, digital SLR. I got the Nikon D5000, with 2 lenses... one of them is a micro, which I love and have so much fun with. That's what I still shoot with today. It's a great camera, and it does what I need it too. I hope to eventually upgrade again, but I won't be adding that chapter of my story for a another few years. 

Now, it's funny that I've typed this entire story without posting the 1st picture... you know, me being a visual person and everything.I just had to type and get it all out. Below I've included some black and whites... all of them were shot at least 5 years ago. I wanted to include some older photography to incorporate with this story about my photo history. I hope you enjoy my story and my pictures. Go out now, and shoot some of your own! ;-)

~Amanda

Close To My Heart Ergo Carrier GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!

It's here! Now is your chance to win your very own ERGObaby Carrier! Hosted by Mama Chocolate and sponsored by several other great bloggers, including myself, we're bringing you a fantastic giveaway for this exceptional carrier. Carry your sweet little one close to your heart this year in your brand new Ergo Galaxy. Entries are easy! Just complete by following directions on the Rafflecopter form. Only the Facebook entry is mandatory, but you'll significantly increase your chances of winning by finishing some or all of the bonus entries! Many thanks to all the bloggers who contributed to this giveaway!

Have fun, and good luck!!!

Wordless Wednesday! 2/22

Well, this is rather late... I've missed Wed all together... barely, but I did. Oops. It's been quite a busy day. 

Anyway, here are a few pics of my ds from a local festival this past weekend. :-)

Hope you all are having a beautiful week!!! 

~Amanda

Wordless Wednesday!

Another shot of my little man's 1st Valentine's Day... 2 years ago. He was a chubby little 3 month old.

 This is a picture of him playing in the yard last week... not so little or chubby anymore.

Lots of Love Giveaway Hop *Feb 1-14*

Welcome to the Lots of Love Giveaway Event. This event is hosted by And The Little Ones Too, Put A Little Umbrella In Your Drink, Seeds of Life, and Taking Time For Mommy. This event features giveaways with a value of $25 or more at each of the participating blogs! Be sure to visit each blog from the linky below and enter for your chance to win! This event will close on February 14th at 11:59 pm EST.

Are you guys ready for some good luv'n?!?!? Well, you're in for a treat! I've got some great prizes up for grabs during this awesome event!

Now, what is it that I have to offer? Check out the list below!

One winner takes ALL!

1. Organic PUCKER! Lip Balm from "THE" BALM! - $2.95
Read a review of this product here...
http://alifeofpeaceloveanddiapers.blogspot.com/2012/01/balm-pucker-lip-balm-review-giveaway-in.html

2. Embroidered Relaxing Rice Eye Mask from Custom Creations by Sheila (example below) - $10.00
Read a review of this shop here...
http://alifeofpeaceloveanddiapers.blogspot.com/2012/01/abe3-sponsor-spotlight-custom-creations.html

 3. Custom Portrait with up to 2 faces - Perfect for you and your sweetheart! (example below) - $30-$40

 That's a $52.95 value total!!!
Enter the easy Rafflecopter entry form below, then hope to the other blogs for more chances to win great stuff!!! ;-)
~Amanda

Please understand that And The Little Ones Too, Put A Little Umbrella In Your Drink, Seeds of Life, and Taking Time For Mommy, along with the other "Lots of Love Event" bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. However, we are responsible for contacting our sponsors regarding the winner's prize at the close of the giveaway. We expect that our sponsors will fulfill their prize agreement and ship them to the winners in a timely manner.

Wordless Wednesday... 2 days late!

Well, I was super busy this week, and haven't had a chance to get up my Wordless Wednesday post until now... so sorry!

To go along with the February spirit, and Lots of Love giveaway, this is my little man on his 1st Valentine's Day...

I'll be posting more photos from this session throughout the month. Enjoy!

~Amanda :-)