laguna beach: toes in the sand

laguna beach: toes in the sand

i was able to escape some of the scorching heat and head into laguna beach for a shoot this week.

felt incredible to be by the water. and was so much fun chasing these 2 around.

their mother is a genius for scheduling photos at the end of summer. she's ahead of the game for holiday cards and is comforted knowing she won't stress about it as the chaos of the school year begins around her. 

 

here's just a little sneak peek of just some cute toes :)

hale family: just like family

hale family: just like family

this family has a special place in my heart.  

they are friends with my little brother and sister in-law. 

mike is a marine stationed at 29 palms. he and his wife met my brother and sister in law when they were all living in idaho and have been friends ever since.  i will always appreciate how they "took care" of my family when they lived away from us.  now that mike and chelsey are stationed here in california, we are able to return the favor.  

 

hale family, i have enjoyed our holidays and summer fun adventures with you cheers to many, many more!!

xoxo amanda

ps - chelsey, did you happen to notice how many pics that darn cat was in? he was everywhere. it was like "where's waldo?"!!  ;)

special projects: head shots -kelsey's edgy look

my friend and i often joke that a blog is like having another baby. it takes attention and nurturing; a lot of time.  something i have been short on a lot lately.  unfortunately my baby blog has been neglected.  so with the start of the school year and since both of my littles will be in class, i have made myself a promise.  a promise to give my blog more tender, loving care. even if it's to do a quick post here and there. but i want to share what i have been up to. because believe it or not, i have been up to a lot.  therefore my blog has been nearly abandoned.  i am back.  with a renewed sense of blogging.  cheers to being inundated by amanda jane!

special project: head shot - kelsey's edgy look

i had the distinct pleasure of working with this young lady a few months back. she came to me in need of some new head shots.  she wanted several different looks. this was kelsy's "edgy look."   isn't she edgy? 

my stylist, jess led us to an abandoned warehouse where we brushed the dust aside and got to shooting.  see for yourself. would you hire her to model?  i sure would.  i intend to. 

 i hope to work with kelsey again in the very near future. 

a huge shout out to jessica fredrick with styles by jess for the hair and make up you see here. love you girl; love our adventures!

a super cute little person: this cash money

the house is quiet. i'm up editing tonight and looking back at pictures of a special little man: cash.  i call him cash money. 

his mom and i got together to photograph his 6 month mark in this big world and i fell in love with him all over again looking over his images this evening.  

i know you will too when you see his cute mug in these pics.

here he is, folks.

i am mesmerized by him.

<3 breaker, for sure!

this was just before he tumbled over into the grass.  did he cry? nope. he's a stud.

ok, now he's crying. he was over it. done. and he needed some love from mama. 

jess, thank you for letting me photograph your little man. i could just eat him up.  he is such a joy to be around; such a good, mellow baby.  another joy i get is hanging out with you and i am laughing as i think about some of the crazy adventures we have had together lately.  

i love it all. thank you for your friendship and for everything. cheers to many more crazy adventures together!

cash, love ya kid!  i'd take you any day and twice on sunday.  

xoxo, aj

sweet engagement shoot: justin and jessica

justin and jessica are getting married!  and i am thrilled and so deeply honored that they asked me to be a part of it!

we scheduled their engagement shoot for a gorgeous afternoon at crystal cove state beach in the historic district.  i love what we captured and am excited for their special day!

justin and jessica's wedding is this summer.  justin is a friend of mine whom i met through work.  he is sweet and good and strong.  justin has been a big supporter of amanda jane photography since the very beginning and as soon as he proposed to jessica, he contacted me about pictures.  this touched me deeply.  i am very proud to have the distinct pleasure of photographing their wedding.

their event represents a huge marker in the growth of amanda jane photography. 

  justin and jessica will be one of my first weddings .  this fact is scary and exciting me to me all at the same time.  a whole new chapter.  i am up for the challenge and get giddy thinking about it.

this family becomes a party of 3

this turquoise make her hair and skin look radiant

do you remember young love? remember how fresh and new it all is.  how exciting it is with butterflies in  your stomach?  i do.  these two made me remember that all over again.  justin and jessica, i loved our time together.  cheers to you and i look forward to watching you all become mr. & mrs.  congratulations!! and thank you, from the bottom of my heart.  thank you for believing in me and amanda jane. <3

my dear, sweet valentines

my dear, sweet valentines.  

I’ll be very happy
If you’ll be my Valentine;
You’ll fill my heart with joy,
And my day with bright sunshine!

By Joanna Fuchs

i was blessed with 2 sweethearts.  

they are the best gift my husband has ever given me. 

they are truly my sunshine.

one is 5 

and the other is 3.

my husband jokes about valentines day.  he believes we should show some extra love all year round.  i couldn't agree more.  

my goal is to show these two how much they are loved every day of the year.

nico & g,i love you both very much.you are two of the most special valentines i could ask for.  one of the things i love most about you is the way you love each other.  i get such joy out of watching you play together.  i am proud of the way you take care of each other. stay sweet. love always, mom xoxo 

a mother's love

a mother's love. this mother is tough.  this mother is strong.  this mother has a huge soft spot for her two kiddos. how could she not?  they adore her.  (as they should.)  and she lives for them. watching this woman with her children was incredible.  spending an afternoon with them was FUN! i felt their connection - deep in my core.   it made me want to be a part of their little club. i found this poem and it reminded me of you, holly: a mother's love: a mother's love is something that no one can explain, it is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain, it is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may for nothing can destroy it or take that love away... it is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking, and it never fails or falters even though the heart is breaking... it believes beyond believing when the world around condemns and it glows with all the beauty of the rarest, brightest gems... it is far beyond defining, it defies all explanation, and it still remains a secret like the mysteries of creation... a many splendored miracle man cannot understand and another wondrous evidence of God's tender guiding hand. photo taken by Dina Conover photo taken by Dina Conover i loved being a part of your three-some for an afternoon.  i can't help but smile every time i see you since our time together and a hug is always required. (even you, liam!) they have burrowed a special place in my heart.  i laughed so hard with them; belly laughed so hard that i almost peed my pants a couple of times. my good friend, dina conover and her daughter allie-cat were with us for this comedy hour.  you can see some of dina's handy work above. i didn't want our time together to end.  can we do it again soon? (bailey is probably nodding her head "yes" & holly is rolling her eyes at me- she hates having her picture taken) holly, bailey & liam - thank you for letting me capture these moments with you.  i enjoyed every minute and look forward to when we can laugh together again.  i will never look atthe mcdonald's mcrib sandwich the same way.  nor will i be able to go back to this spot for a shoot and not stop to remember what an incredible honor it was to be with you that day.   i love what we captured and i smile every time i look at your images.  i hope you do, too.   lots of love to you, xox amanda jane