I loved all of little Emma’s hair…it was perfect for all the bows Kristin had been stock-piling. We decided that yellow was her best color, which automatically means that she’s going to be a gorgeous little girl. Who can pull off yellow??? Only the gorge.

Kristin and Kevin, thanks so much for letting me photograph yet another milestone for you. I look forward to watching Emma grow through my lens for years to come!

This family really loves each other. Their 3 daughters were so well behaved, I nearly forgot that I was in the presence of 2 teenagers and a pre-teen.  Truly, everything was please, thank you, and I think I even heard a few ma’ams.  So sweet.  After teaching high school for 6 years, polite teens are something I have really come to appreciate!

I love these “out-takes” of the family just being goofy together. They really enjoy one another, and they were so much fun to photograph!

Thanks so much, B fam! You guys are great!

I sort of saved this post for today on purpose.  A couple of weeks ago, I had the honor of documenting a very important ceremony: a military promotion.  If you didn’t already know this, Colorado Springs has a very high population of men and women who serve in the armed forces.  We are the home of the Air Force Academy, 2 other Air Force bases, and an Army base.  While my dad was out of the Army long before I was born, I still consider myself a sort of “ex-post facto” Army dependent….if there is such a thing.  I was raised and taught to have respect for our men and women in uniform, and truly, I feel I would have this respect whether it was ingrained in my brain or not.  I can’t fathom doing a job where I would be sent to potentially die for my country.  I am extremely proud of my country and all that it stands for, but this is a level of bravery I can’t comprehend.

For all these reasons and more, I was especially honored when Melissa asked me to photograph her husband Jeremy’s promotion ceremony.  She said that the promotion had been a big surprise, and that he probably wouldn’t receive another before he left the Air Force, so it was an important one for him.  I will tell you that, while I knew it would be a very special event, I did not at all expect to find myself with tears in my eyes over the accomplishments of this man.  But then again, if you know me, you know that it doesn’t take much! Ha ha.

There was a room full of people that got to sit and listen to the accomplishments of this brave man, and I could see their pride all over their faces.  Especially Melissa’s.

It’s pretty amazing that there are people brave enough to potentially put themselves in the line of fire for their country.  ”Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)  The best part about it: every soldier I’ve ever thanked, or heard be thanked by another American, says the same thing, “Doing my job, ma’am (or sir)”.  If only everyone were so humble.

At the reception that followed Jeremy’s promotion, they had a cake for him, which he ended up cutting and serving himself.  I made a silly joke that only in the military would they make the guy getting promoted cut the cake.  But, I think what actually happened was that Jeremy is that great of a guy.

Jeremy and Melissa, thank you so very much for letting me be a part of this awesome day in your lives.  And, of course, I can’t leave out Jeremy and Melissa’s dog, Biscuit, who was dressed perfectly for the occasion, sporting her own beautiful Air Force blue collar (which I suspect was new) and her fabulously painted nails.

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!

A couple of weeks ago I was thrilled to have a Girls Weekend in Durango, Colorado.  While I was there, I offered a mini-session, and I was SO excited when my beautiful friend Emily took advantage of the offer.  I’ve known Emily for many many years, and she has an incredibly adorable family!  Her hubby was out of town on a fishing trip, so it was just her and her little guys.  And boy oh boy, do these two make ADORABLE boys.  (I’m sure that if they had a daughter that she’d be adorable too!)

The 9th Street Bridge area in Durango is one of my favorite places I’ve ever been to on the planet.  When I was in college, I spent many hours there on the rocks watching the river go by and pretending to study.  :)

When I see this picture I can hear the boys laughing in my mind.

Emily! It was so much fun to see you.  Thanks for giving me the chance to do what I do in one of my favorite places on Earth!

After several facebook chat conversations, I shared an idea that had kind of been forming in the back of my mind.  A commercial for Lamb Photography Company.  I don’t really do much advertising, but my “about me” page just didn’t quite measure up to what I wanted people who didn’t know me to see about me.  So, Kyle came along on this past weekend’s engagement shoot in Denver and did another amazing job.

So, thanks to Kyle Koziol of Kozi Visuals, I give you the Lamb Photography Company commercial.  That’s right, a commercial. For me. I feel VERY proud.  And, I think you can probably guess who I’d recommend if you were looking for an amazing videographer for your wedding or event.  Click on the link below to watch it!

The Commercial!

Huge thanks to Anna and Tim, who you’ll see more of when I blog their engagement shoot.  And of course, to Kyle for being so inspirational, and helping me keep my cool.  I really spend all my time behind the camera, so this whole idea was kind of unnerving for me.  During the part where I was shooting Anna and Tim, I didn’t even know he was there.  See? I told you he was quality.  :)

FIRST!

I’m heading southwest to Durango for the weekend of April 29th and will be offering 5 Mini Sessions on a first-come, first-served basis!  The Mini-Sessions are $75.  All the details are below!  I would say book now for the best spot, but they’re all good spots.  Come on, it’s Durango!  But you should hurry…this is an awesome deal, and with only 5 spots, they’re sure to go fast!

Second!

I would absolutely LOVE to shoot your wedding in Durango, Colorado.  I will be offering local prices (that means NO TRAVEL FEE, and a savings of $300) for any couple who books their 2011 wedding in Durango!

To cash in on either of these awesome deals, just email amanda@lamb-photo.com, or call 719.648.2152!

Brent is (and I’m pretty sure always has been) the entertainer of his family.  As long as I’ve known him he has always been the last person to take life too seriously…and the first to remind others that they shouldn’t either.

When I was with their family, I asked Brent what made him want to go into the military.  He looked right at me and said, “I’ve wanted to since I was 5.”  I was shocked to not already know that, but he clearly has a passion to serve.  Brent, THANK YOU for your service to our country.  And, to your parents, I can only say that they did an amazing job of raising you and your sister!  Neither of you are really “kids” anymore, and it’s been pretty cool to get to see you become adults.

April, I love your family, and I so appreciate the opportunity to preserve a special time for you guys!

It’s always amazing to watch a man become a father.  I saw it happen to my husband…  for 9 months, while I was trying to decide how to do what was best for me and my baby, he was anxious about the baby, and worried about me.  But then, the instant he held our daughter for the first time, I could see it all over his face…he had changed into a father.  It brought tears to my eyes then, and it still does when I think about it now.  Although, being that I only have older brothers, this is the first time I’ve been lucky enough to see that transition happen to any of the other men I love…or at least been old enough to appreciate the change.  But I noticed it the first time I saw Austin with his daughter…and each time I see him with her I notice it again.  It’s all over his face…That’s my daughter…and I’m SO proud! I love it.

Austin, Jill and Landry…You’re such a beautiful family!  Love you guys!

I went to high school with Nick, and was very excited when he asked me to photograph his family this year.  His daughters are absolutely gorgeous, and it amazes me how much his older one looks like him, and his younger one looks like his sweet wife!  What can I say…I’m fascinated by genes (and jeans, but that’s a different topic).

Thanks so much, Nick!  I had a great time with you and your ladies!

One of the coolest things about being a photographer is getting to see families grow and change.  About 2 years ago, I had the opportunity to photograph Ashley and Danny, who at the time had a newborn and a very boisterous 3 year old.  Well, now the girls are 2 and 5, and it’s so fun to see how much they’ve grown up!  Ashley and Danny are in the process of moving across the country, and consequently have to be apart most of the time so that Ashley can tie up loose ends and Danny can start his new job.  So Ashley called me to get some pictures of just her and the girls done to surprise Danny when he was home last month.  I had an awesome time with them, and these girls have so much spunk that there was never a dull moment!  Thanks so much, Ashley!

Cami, tell your mom, dad, and big brother thanks!

Thanks Jade!  I had a great time with you and your family.

I just adored Jade’s little nephew, Mason.  He was not at all camera shy, and I was so glad because he’s completely adorable!

After we took some pictures indoors, Avery was all too excited to head to the park.  She got all bundled up (but saved time for some loving on daddy), and the 4 of us headed out.  It was a little colder than we were prepared for, hence poor Avery’s watery eyes!  It looks like she might have been crying, but that was not even close to the case.  The cold didn’t bother her one bit, and she was ecstatic to be at the park!  Once she saw the slide, there was no keeping her from it!  She ran, with no fear, to the equipment and slid down the biggest slide she could find.

I had such a fun time photographing this little girl!  She is definitely one of my favorites.  Her parents are pretty cool too!  It doesn’t seem possible that she is almost a year and a half old, but then again, I think kids are their own sort of time warp.  Once they come along, life seems to move at least twice as fast!

Thanks again, Brooke and Scott!  I’m glad you love your pictures!  :)

Now that the really hard stuff is done for the blog-site, I’ll be busy working on Avery’s (a little late) 1 year portraits.  And, because it’s not really fair to introduce a shoot without photo documentation, here’s just a little teaser of this awesome little girl’s portrait session.  I feel so lucky to know my friend Brooke.  Avery and my daughter, Reagan, play together so well, and it’s so much fun to have another Mom friend.  I suppose I’ll have more time to tell you more about Avery in my next post, so I suppose I’ll save some gushing for then.  But seriously, as you can see, this is one sweet little girl!

Brooke, my friend whose maternity pictures I took, and I debated waiting one week to do her maternity pictures.  Then, we decided to go ahead and tough it out and get it done that Thursday.  It’s a good thing–she was in labor the following Tuesday!

Avery is so cute, and was just about a month old when these pictures were taken.  I was excited to have the opportunity to use my minimal studio equipment.  It doesn’t get taken out much, largely due to the beautiful state in which I live.

We headed to the house Kim grew up in, which is in Manitou.  I always love shooting at places I haven’t shot before.  It can sometimes be challenging, but luckily Kim was able to show us around.  My husband came along to be my assistant, and it worked out quite well.  Reagan got to come too; she and the Lock boys get along very well.

We had a blast, and despite the clouds and spits of rain, we got some good pictures.

Thanks guys!