Jennifer and David

Liz and Thomas

Lisa and Paul

The Origin of Wedding Traditions

So, I am back to reality- and I'm not going to lie- I am happy! It was not a "relaxing retreat" or even a "vacation"- instead I was on my yearly adventure with my Father for his birthday. Our "adventures" that happen on a yearly basis consist of me babysitting and controlling everything we do to a tee. My father is a quiet man; and is not one to take the lead, so I must take care of everything. Needless to say, I always get an RX for Xanax before I leave every year because I know it's going to be stressful at times (see the photo below of my dad that I took- this was on our first day in Italy on the cruise ship and you will get my drift.) This year, because we were gone for an extensive period (12 days) I also worked about 70 hours during this trip editing photos. Yes my friends, I actually now need a real vacation. I also came back to having to shoot 2 weddings this weekend, so my jetlag is finally coming into play, so bear with me as I have to catch up on emails and getting more photos ready to ship. I recieved almost 1,207 emails while I was away; only 350 of those were spam.

The cool thing about my trip? My last two days were spent on the island of Capri, Italy. Guess who I saw there? Yep, Kim Kardashian in the flesh.

Anyway, check out this link about the origin of wedding traditions. I found it quite interesting!

http://www.tressugar.com/Weird-Origins-Wedding-Traditions-8749214

OUT OF TOWN UNTIL AUGUST 24th

I will be out of the country until late evening on Wednesday, August 24th. I will have my pc, but for editing purposes only due to the spotty internet service. I will return all emails when I get back into town and recover from jet lag! Thanks! xoxox

October Session Availability

Thank you everyone, once again for "playing the lottery" with available session dates. I can't tell you enough how much I truly do appreciate you checking here to schedule sessions, and I know it is most def. a pain. I am so very lucky I have all of you you have either booked a session or tried to. I am not going to lie, I had a major stomach ache this morning when I posted dates. I SERIOUSLY HATE turning away people. But you have to understand, there is only so many hours in a day to work. The session is the easy part- it's the editing and preparing the session for send off that takes the most time. What I don't think anyone realizes is how much work is involved in editing. Just between having 2 weddings, sometimes 3 in a weekend, I am already working about 73 hours a week- not including ANYTHING else but shooting weddings and getting them edited. It's only me- I'm not superwoman, unfortunately; plus, I refuse to compromise on quality for you.

As for October, I am kicking around the idea to set a certain location on certain days to minus the drive time to other locations. This way I can add in more sessions because I know October is a busy month and everyone loves fall. Keep in mind however, that I have a wedding in the Dominican Republic to shoot, as well as some continuing education classes that I am possibly taking abroad to keep up my skills.
I will keep you posted about all of this! Thanks again, everyone as I thank you so much for dealing with this booking system and I appreciate your loyalty. It means everything to me. xoxoxoxoxox

What a Perfect Day for Engagement Photos!

Nature Trails and Mosquitos!

September Session Availability

So, for ALL sessions including the following: Engagement Sessions, Baby Sessions, Family Sessions, Trash the Dress Sessions, Boudoir Sessions, Office Sessions, Pet Sessions, Maternity Sessions and Senior portrait Sessions, I am doing something different for 2011-

For the past 6 years, I have been booking anywhere from 3 to 6 months in advance for sessions, which is not only very difficult for you to schedule that far in advance, but it also has been quite difficult for me as well. You see, because I work almost every weekend, during the week and on some Sundays is the I only time I get "me" time, or even time to spend with my family. For years I have been missing out on during the week soccer games, birthday parties and other family affairs because I was booked out so far for sessions during the week. To help alleviate your wait time as well as me being able to attend family functions and not be shunned by my parents (lol!) I am trying out the following for this coming year:

SESSION SPECS:

*The cost is $175 for Family/Children Sessions (for families up to five people); non-client Engagement Sessions, Senior Portraits, Trash the Dress Sessions and Boudoir Sessions. Payment is due the day of the session, and travel fees are as follows:

*Anything within 15 miles of Dearborn, MI 48124 there is no extra fee; 15-25 miles $35; 26-40 miles $45; (over 40 miles, please inquire)

*Engagement sessions for booked wedding photography clients of Amanda Williams Photography: $150 Same travel fees listed above apply.

*All available times will be listed on the right sidebar of my blog. These are the only dates/times I will have available for that month, and reservations come on a first come, first served basis via email. Whomever emails me first gets the date!

*A location must be picked out when booking the appointment

*A specified "bad weather" date will given to you at the time of booking the appointment, if we have an outdoor shoot scheduled. This is only for inclement weather and is not used as a "reschedule" date if you can no longer make your appointment. I will email you the morning of our shoot if weather is expected to be bad for a good part of the day, which will be at my call (bringing electronic equipment in the rain won't work, neither will sessions in the goopy mud since I like to do sitting/laying shots) lol) Please understand that if we have an outdoor scheduled shoot, if it rains the day of the session we cannot change it to an indoor shoot- these days everyone wants money for photos inside of their "haven," and it is too difficult last minute to schedule- we will just use the rain "reschedule" date I will give you when you book.

*I totally understand that many of you are out of towners, and sometimes this can be difficult to schedule. Just pretty please understand that I am doing my best not only to be able to have a social life with my family, but also not to make you have to book out 6 months in advance like the past. On top of that, it is important to get photos to my peeps (you) in a timely manner, so this is helping with that :)

*If the dates I list on my blog don't work with your schedule, just wait until right around the 15th of the month when I post the availability I have for the next month.

Included in ALL the above listed session is the following:
*A one hour shoot
*Approx. 300 high resolution images captured
*Approx. 20 "edited" images- aka BW, Sepia, color enhancements, etc, which will be my favorite photos I make these enhancements to
*All images burned on DVD
*Leatherette folio which holds 8 4x6 images of my choice :)
*Photo release so you may make copies whenever and wherever you wish

Sarah and Jeremy

Erica and Dana

Barb and Chris

Andrea and Matt

Cassie and Phil

COUNTDOWN!

Just wanted to remind everyone, once again that I apologize if email response time is slow this week. With only 5 days left until I am out of the country for almost two weeks, there are lots of photos I need to get mailed out, on top of all the other fun things that come with preparing to travel abroad- not including a few more shoots and a wedding to shoot before I leave! Please have patience. Pretty please? :) xoxoxoxo

Who is ONE Might You Ask? Well I Am, Says Jack!

It's a Great Day in Chloe's World!

Email!

I just want to apologize in advance for any spotty email issues I will have with anyone that emails me between now and when I leave for Europe next week. Between shoots, weddings, trying to get albums mailed out, last minute appointments with Doctors, dog groomers, and even trying to get someone to watch my fish has been quite taxing this week, and can only assume it will be worse next week! Please have patience with me! xoxoxo

Anyone want to watch my fish? Anyone? LOL!

Twins, Matching Smiles!