a precious playdate with saylor and sadie . . .

Jennifer and I have known each other for 16 years now! We have journeyed through high school cheerleading camp craziness, stunt group insanity, college ups and downs, vacations, weddings and countless girls night outs.  I was honored to stand beside her in her wedding and I feel even more blessed to have playdates with her precious little girls! Here are a few of my favorites. . .

            

                     
 
         

      

 

so why did amanda leigh photography not begin then . . .

Although I have had a camera at my hip for the last twenty years capturing all of the entertaining moments of my life and the lives of the loved ones around me, I never jumped in to being an actual photographer.  Until now.  But why has it taken so long?  If I had those moments that stirred the heart of a photographer inside of me over five years ago, why now?  The real answer... timing.  I've learned so much about "timing" over the last few years, that timing is everything.  The key here is that its not my timing that matters. But as I reflect on the last few years and what I've been doing, I have to sit and take a deep breath.  Crazy enough I think of the last few years as busy.  I have poured my whole heart and soul into my true calling, teaching.  I love to dig in making each of my lessons that I teach engaging, motivating and educational, which takes time. I've also poured into my friends and family as they know that if they ever needed anything I would be there immediately, whether it was to babysit, answer questions, sit and listen, party down or enjoy relaxation time, I was there and have loved every second of it.  As this summer approaches I feel that this is a perfect time to dive in.  I have my Masters degree behind me and I'm not traveling, so I will have time to begin this journey.  So even though its been over five years since the true flutter inside my heart occurred, I've captured so many moments that my friends and family will treasure forever. 


This captures my niece Katie perfectly. 
Quiet, peaceful, calm and precious as pie!

Many moments have been spent in NYC with mom. 
This captures her love of D&D and her awe of the city.

Flag football at the Howards for Thanksgiving

My niece Hallie was just beyond excited!

Priceless expression from my nephew Ryan

Loved  my niece Vivian's sweet sleeping
position on those precious sheets.



Jen and Micah were one of the first friends to ask me
 to take their engagement pictures!

Hooping it up at the Howards

Love this moment at Annie and Anderson's
wedding.



Breathtaking.
My friends Taylor and Alex's wedding
had so many beautiful stories to capture.

Perfect moment captured.

Love this moment at my friends  Kasey and Jeremy's wedding.

I came across this on my mission trip to New Orleans after
Hurricane Katrina hit. This captured such a sad story.



One of the houses in New Orleans that I came across. 
I sat and stared for so long thinking about the past
of this house and the future.
 I loved the lines in this snapshot.





Spring please!

What a day.

This kid is hysterical. 
When my nephew Henry was younger
he was never seen without his beloved cords!

Oh Carson, my adventurous nephew!

I see my best friend Kristen in her daughter Kate. Love this.

Loved spending the day with my friend Julia and
her son at the horse farm. 

My niece Hallie was loving berry time!



Henry was just starting to walk.



The minute Greta Grace came into this world
her big beautiful eyes were taking in the world around her.

Loved spending the day with Chance.

My nephew Brooks roaring like a lion.

Jessie was my first friend that asked me
to take pictures of her family.

    

Pop's crazy hair to match Henry's                           My niece Vivi was climbing on couches and
                                                                                this picture turned out with pure sweetness.

My nephew Henry's 1st birthday.
Love this sweet moment.



the moment it all began with a wedding . . .

Around five years ago my dear friend Ginnie married her middle school sweetheart.  Ginnie and I have been friends since we were in the first grade and now I had the opportunity to stand by her side as her maid of honor.  We have travelled through life together - playing dolls for hours, trading stickers (not baseball cards like our brothers), crushes on boys, breakups, dances, long-distance phone calls, and now her wedding -  I was truly honored.  I have always loved weddings.  It was at this wedding though that I realized how much I loved capturing every moment of the special day.  Being there while the bride was getting ready was an emotion that I just can't describe and seeing the two get a glimpse of each other before the ceremony made my heart flutter.  Knowing their story made capturing these moments so special.

the moment it all began with a baby . . .

As I stood behind the camera over five years ago capturing these precious moments, I remember thinking that I would love to do this for everyone. What a special gift this was to capture these moments. At this time in my life most of my friends were getting married and having babies and there was no place I'd rather be than by their side as a bridesmaid (I've now been in 14 weddings) or in the delivery room minutes after the sweet baby arrived.  Five years ago is when this dream really found its home inside my head and heart.

Meet Henry my 6th nephew.  

I LOVE this picture for so many reasons. I see Henry laying on Ashley's hospital bed, just days old. I can only imagine the feelings that Aaron and Ashley were feeling at that time. I love seeing both of their hands touching him like they just can't get enough of his cuteness. Their two hands tell a story and Henry's laid back look and focused eyes tell another. Precious.

the true beginning . . .

My middle and high school friends would remember me always having a camera in my hands. They would get annoyed that I wanted to take another picture. I was developing film every week which thrilled my mom. I've always loved being able to capture moments, a still shot to me captures not only that instance in action but the emotions that were involved, the thoughts that weren't said, the dialogue that was, and the setting.  A still shot tells a story, whether happy or sad, adventurous or calm, it tells an amazing and unforgettable story.  And for some reason at a young age I knew I wanted to remember everything about my life. Some say I have (and always have had) an old soul enjoying things that mature adults would treasure.  Twenty years after I first began annoying my friends with capturing every moment of our lives, I am still carrying a camera around, still saying "Alright everyone get in!" Now that I have celebrated many friends and families weddings, many births of babies, my nephews and nieces sporting events and birthdays, I have realized I love this stuff! I love being behind the camera looking for those moments that are truly meant to be captured. So I'll continue to annoy but you will all thank me later.