Joy of my Heart Photography

{The Vermeulen Family } Family Photography

2012-01-11T12:23:00.001-07:00

I want to share some of my favorite shots from my time with the Vermeulen family :)

Tina and I work together, and I was so floored when she asked me to do this years Christmas pictures for her!

Isn't this family so beautiful!

This is Luke and Ava :) Beeeeeautiful loves they are!

Love love little Ava's red hair and sweet eyelashes <3

xo Amy

{The Potter Family}

2012-01-05T07:37:00.000-07:00

After my time with Tiffany, the sun was going down quickly...so we quick scooted and captured some pictures of her family :)

Beautiful Potter Family :)

xx

Amy

{Tiffany}

2011-12-23T11:38:00.001-07:00

Had a really beautiful time with Tiffany... she is Kaylee and Devyn's momma :)

Here are a few of my favorites of our time capturing her beauty and wonder of this season.

Loved that Tiffany chose a pointsetta for her session...winter baby coming soon :)

This one totally cracked me up!! :D
Devyn... such a love he is!

And sweet Kaylee :)

Tiffany thankyou for inviting me to capture your beauty and family.
Can't wait to meet your sweet baby girl soon soon!

Part 2 of this session coming soon.... The Potter Family <3

xoxo

Amy

Lady Titans {Arcadia High School}

2011-12-18T21:58:00.001-07:00

I had the amazing opportunity to do some work for the Lady Titans Girls Baskeball team!

These girls are incredible! So full of life and spunk :)

We had SO much fun collaborating their poses and working together...

One of the things I did was bring a variety of poses for them to select from. I had done a senior shoot with my niece, and we had done a bunch of bball pics as well.
I brought some with me for the girls. Not a huge variety, but 3 or 4. And these were pics that were NOT traditional bball team pics. The request from the teams was for something new and fresh.

So they would select one of the poses and we would shoot a couple and then they would look and see if they liked...then we would do some more, until each player was happy :)
What ended up happening was that creative juices starting flowing and NEW poses and ideas started flying.
O M G! What a blast!
I think they LOVED that part...
That they had a voice in what was captured, was really a big deal. Some of these poses were completely their own creations and spunk!
How fun is that?

After posting their pictures on Facebook for them, the biggest compliment to me was having these girls go crazy sharing their pictures on their FB pages, AND making their favorite pic their FB profile photo.
HUGE compliment right there!
HUGE!

There are alot of pics, so I am just going to share some of my favorite shots from my time with them.

And just for fun, I want to post some of the out-takes!

These girls are absolutely adorable!

Trying to do some game face poses...this is what happened :)

Thankyou, girlies for having me! Can't wait to do it again :)

xo Amy

{Katie and Joby} Wedding Photography

2011-12-17T16:34:00.001-07:00

Woow! WHAT a crazy flurry of fun and business Life has brought my way :)

I want to begin some catch up posts...so I am going back to November!

My sweet friend Katie married the love of her life, Joby.. and here are some pictures from their special day!

I just have to say how much respect I have for wedding photographers!

Wow wow wow! It's amazing fun, but ALOT of work.

I couldn't have done it without my niece who second shot with me...she was my life saver!

Congratulations Katie and Joby! Thankyou for having us be a part of your special day...love you!

xx Amy

{Kaylee and Devyn}

2011-11-26T12:58:00.000-07:00

This is Kaylee and Devyn <3

They are amazing!

Full of pure joy!

I had so much fun playing and capturing their beautiful faces!

Kaylee loves her family.. she ran inside to show me a picture of her daddy and her :)

We had to take a picture!

You can see why she loves him so much tho :)

Totally loved Mr. Dino :)

Had to take a shot of Devyn and his momma too :)

I loved Devyn's eyelashes! I would kill for these :)

Thankyou Kaylee and Devyn for spending the evening with me...can't wait to do it again!

xx Amy

{The Gentala Family}

2011-11-22T06:27:00.003-07:00

Had such a fun time spending the evening with the Gentala Family.
Alison asked me to take her family pics, and the first thought that came to mind wise, " O my goodness!"
See, Alison is a photographer herself...and to have another photographer ask you to take their precious families pics, is pretty special.
I felt so honored!

All these beautiful treasures all because two people fell in love :)

Alison is so beautiful! I loved this joy shot of her and Peter!

Their kindness and love for each other was so beautiful!
Loved this one of big brother making sure little brother is doin' ok :)

It was so hard to pic a favorite from this time together... I just keep coming back to lil' Seth <3
His eyes are just amazing!

Thankyou so much for spending the evening with me! Can't wait to do it again!

xx Amy

Sneak Peek {The Gentala Family }

2011-11-17T06:00:00.001-07:00

Just a little sneak peek of the Gentala Family ;)

More to come.. :)

{Ellie}

2011-11-16T17:00:00.002-07:00

This is Ellie :)

Can you guess which birthday she just celebrated??

She loves life and loves her cousin Faithy :)

Tea parties in the park with her cousin....oh yes!

Ellie loves here momma and papa too :)

Had to take a quick shot of her momma and daddy :)

We had so much fun!
Thankyou for spending the evening with me, Ell Bell :)
Your auntie loves you!
Happy Birthday big girl!

And my favorite of the day ;)

Desiree {Maternity Session}

2011-11-08T11:53:00.000-07:00

This is my very first momma belly shoot...with beautiful Desiree :)

Isn't her belly just gorgeous?!

We went into this shoot collaborating as to what she wanted and hoped to see.....

She wanted to focus on her body...black and white....more art and abstract.

There is just nothing more beautiful then a women's body while pregnant.

These are some of my favorite shots from our time together. :)

Had to throw this one in in color!
Beautiful!

And my own personal favorite from our time together... :)

This shot actually gave me goosebumps after we took it.... the contrast of all her beauty and all her ink...just breathtaking!

Thankyou, Desiree for choosing me to be your belly paparazi :)
Love you!

Amy

Day 203

2011-07-22T08:24:00.000-07:00

Day 203

My son's most favorite place in the whole entire world.... The train store ;)

Day 202

2011-07-21T08:21:00.001-07:00

Day 202

My fave thus far of my beautiful Hope ;) Loving the water and her gorgeous face <3

Day 201

2011-07-20T08:05:00.000-07:00

day 201

My Hopie love thought it would be fun to get her ears pierced a second time :)
I think it looks lovely!

Day 200

2011-07-19T07:53:00.001-07:00

Day 200

I love the light.. and the escalator was just way cool too!

Day 199

2011-07-18T07:22:00.000-07:00

Day 199

Lawn worker :)

Day 198

2011-07-17T08:33:00.001-07:00

Day 198

My little family <3

Day 197

2011-07-16T08:31:00.001-07:00

Day 197

Self portrait with Faithy <3

Day 196

2011-07-15T08:31:00.001-07:00

Day 196

I love my kiddles' bits and pieces :)

Day 195

2011-07-14T07:37:00.002-07:00

Day 195

My kids are little fishies...this is our view everyday :)

Day 194

2011-07-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

Day 194

Red, white and blue <3

Day 193

2011-07-12T10:11:00.000-07:00

Day 193

The Bud :)

Day 192

2011-07-11T06:38:00.001-07:00

Day 192

Love water shots... :)

Day 191

2011-07-10T06:35:00.000-07:00

Day 191

Little yellow lovlies..

Day 190

2011-07-09T06:57:00.000-07:00

Day 190

Hunny Bun :)

Day 189

2011-07-08T06:55:00.000-07:00

Day 189

Just a peak into our summer days :)

Day 188

2011-07-07T19:28:00.000-07:00

Day 188

We went to the water park for the 4th of July, and my sis in law and I went down the slides for the first time in forever! I just love this shot for all that it is.. the water, my sis who I adore, her smile, and joy... We had such a blast!

Day 187

2011-07-06T08:08:00.002-07:00

Day 187

Window view :)

Day 186

2011-07-05T06:53:00.000-07:00

Day 186

Really love all the serenity of the water...but the little leaves and dirt at the bottom add some fun to it.
Water shots are the best!

Day 185

2011-07-04T16:05:00.000-07:00

Day 185

My little niece, Romi <3

Day 184

2011-07-03T07:32:00.002-07:00

Day 184

Little girl play <3

This is "E"... she is not mine, but I have known her so long that I feel like she could be mine ;)
Her sisters and my kids were babies together... her mom is one of my dearest friends... Love it when she gets to come over and play :)

Day 183

2011-07-02T07:58:00.000-07:00

Day 183

Electricity fun!

Day 182

2011-07-01T07:57:00.000-07:00

Day 182

Signs in my life :)

Day 181

2011-06-30T07:55:00.000-07:00

Day 181

Bubbles

Day 180

2011-06-29T07:54:00.000-07:00

Day 180

I love love leaves and sunshine... <3

Day 179

2011-06-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

Day 179

A little lunch view.... sonorian hot dogs :)

Day 178

2011-06-27T06:29:00.000-07:00

Day 178

Hunny the sun lover <3

Day 177

2011-06-26T06:28:00.000-07:00

Day 177

My breakfast view...

Day 176

2011-06-25T21:17:00.003-07:00

Day 176

Mesmerized <3

My kids are loving this little guy that I am watching a couple days a week... love the sweetness that they show him....to see the beauty and tenderness in my kids heart towards this little one warms me through and through.

Day 175

2011-06-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

Day 175

Scooter boy :)

Day 174

2011-06-23T20:16:00.003-07:00

Day 174

This lovie is Ethan.... and I got to spend my whole day today kissing those cheeks and hugging this boy... he is my friend Nicole's baby... such a doll!

Day 173

2011-06-22T18:58:00.001-07:00

Day 173

Freckles and glasses :)

Day 172

2011-06-21T20:31:00.003-07:00

Day 172

"Life is a bridge over the sea of changes. Cross over it, but build no house on it."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Day 171

2011-06-20T20:28:00.003-07:00

Day 171.

This is my sweet niece, Gabby :)

She is so amazing... we walked around a beautiful park...Gabby, my brother (incredible and amazing photographer), and myself.
We snapped away, and Gabby just did what she does best...she sparkled and shined. :)

It's so hard to pick which one of so many beautiful shots of her is my fave...but I think this is the one.

This picture screams GABBY! This is her.... beautiful, amazingly talented athlete, full of life and joy...girlfriend is fuuuuunny.... No joke!

I will post Gabby's senior session tomorrow...but just wanted to share this shot of her here :)

Day 170

2011-06-19T19:58:00.002-07:00

Day 170

My soon to be sisser in law, Lisa :)

Had so much fun at her shower... just wanted to share a pic!

Day 169

2011-06-17T13:36:00.002-07:00

Day 169

Take a guess as what type of flower this is lil' guy is..... :)

Day 168

2011-06-16T04:35:00.000-07:00

Day 168

Daisy <3

Day 167

2011-06-15T16:34:00.002-07:00

Day 167

My beauty friend, Ann :)

Day 166

2011-06-14T16:32:00.001-07:00

Day 166

Dreams do come true.

Some friends of our just purchased property that they have been waiting to buy for 17 years!
It's quite the awesome story... Dream on!

Day 165

2011-06-12T15:43:00.001-07:00

Day 165

My obsession = taking pics of my hubby's hands <3

Day 164

2011-06-11T15:38:00.001-07:00

Day 164

Yummy goodness... really loved the warmth of the window light on the cake.

Day 163 { Happy Birthday, honey! }

2011-06-10T06:51:00.005-07:00

Day 163

Happy Birthday to my honey today!! :)

We took the opportunity to get OUT of town!
That was his bday wish..so we called a friend, asked if we could stay in their cabin, and away we went!

We took a drive up north where the mountains live...

The day was beautiful.

A happy honey, surrounded by all the people he loves so much.

Hope wanted to make something really special for her Dad...so she wrote him a poem.

She wanted to read it to him before giving it to him.

She made her Daddy cry.
I would have been bawling myself..

Faithy presented her homemade daddy card....

And Siah did as well!

Lots and lots of hugs and kisses for the Daddy.... such a sight to see the love my kids have for their Daddy.

He is pretty smitten with them too!

Happy Birthday, baby! I love you...so so thankful that God created you!
xoxo

Water fun { Day 162 }

2011-06-09T21:58:00.001-07:00

Ooooo you can tell it's summer around here!

Water water water!

We had some family over, and brought out the slip and slide.

I loved these when I was a kid!

Day 159 to 161

2011-06-08T16:07:00.003-07:00

Day 159

I could have snapped pics all day at the pool... the colors are so vivid and bright!

Day 160

My sissy in law, Candi.. adore her so much! :)
Shhhh... she didn't know I snapped this.... shhhhhh :)

Day 161

And she didn't know that I snapped this one either... la la la
She is so beautiful!
I have always LOVED Candi's beautiful, curly hair.... always prayed one of my kids would inherit her hair.

And I got SO lucky!!

Faithy inherited those curls :)

YES!

Day 155 to 158

2011-06-02T16:08:00.001-07:00

Gonna combine this one too.. he he...

Lazy??
Who me??
Nah!

:P

My lovie number 1!

Sisters <3

The 3 fishy amigos

Day 150 to 154

2011-06-01T16:03:00.000-07:00

Day 150

Such the happy girl!

This girl is swimming this year... no more floaties for her..

No way!!

She's a woman on the move...

Watch out world!

Day 149

2011-05-31T16:00:00.003-07:00

Day 149

Nothing shouts summer like flip flops :)

Day 148

2011-05-30T15:58:00.000-07:00

Day 148

Emerge

Day 147

2011-05-29T15:53:00.000-07:00

Day 147

Boyish imagination and water :)

Day 146

2011-05-28T15:52:00.000-07:00

Day 146

Bright smiles

Day 145

2011-05-27T15:52:00.000-07:00

Day 145

Buckets

Day 144

2011-05-26T15:50:00.000-07:00

Day 144

I know.. I know.. lots of swimming pics...this is what summer looks like to us :)

Day 143

2011-05-25T11:50:00.001-07:00

Day 143

Hesitant onlooker

Day 142

2011-05-24T11:49:00.000-07:00

Day 142

Lil' swimmy girl :)

Day 141

2011-05-23T11:46:00.000-07:00

Day 141

The audience ;)

Left to right... Grandpa, Aunt C, Cousin D, and Grandma ;)

Day 140

2011-05-22T09:52:00.000-07:00

Day 140

Grandma and Grandpa came to town for a 2 week visit... and we had the awesome privilage of hosting them in our home... oh boy! What a HUGE treat especially for the kids...
Faithy is reading for her audience...showin' off her stuff...and Hope is helping in case ;)

Day 139

2011-05-21T08:55:00.001-07:00

Day 139

Faithy and her Bell bell :)

Day 138

2011-05-20T08:28:00.002-07:00

Day 138

Her teacher made all the students a memory book...this is Faithy with her little cousin Ellie.
She is reading her memory book to Bell bell.

Day 137

2011-05-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

Day 137

Waiting for her presentation...

Day 136

2011-05-18T08:26:00.001-07:00

Day 136

Such the love she is!

Day 135

2011-05-17T07:03:00.002-07:00

Day 135

She stands out in the crowd ;)
Of course she does.. this is MY kid we are talkin' about here!
;P

Day 134

2011-05-16T07:02:00.000-07:00

Day 134

Day 133

2011-05-15T06:58:00.001-07:00

Day 133

sigh.

My baby. All grow'd up :)

Day 132

2011-05-14T06:57:00.001-07:00

Day 132

These next 7 pics are from my sweet Faithy's graduation... she is a big 1st Grader now!

Melts her momma's heart!

Day 131

2011-05-13T06:56:00.000-07:00

Day 131

Rain lover #2 <3

Day 130

2011-05-12T06:56:00.000-07:00

Day 130

Rain lover <3

Day 129

2011-05-11T06:42:00.003-07:00

O my gracious! I am so behind on my 365 Project....
I have continued to snap away, just so behing on the editing and posting part....
Yeeks!

Ok... attempting to catch up!

We have had such a full May!

This one is my favorite and Gabby's favorite from her Prom session... such a beauty!
Inside and out!

There is going to be more of Gabby at the end of June... My brother, Paul and I are going to be snapping her Senior pics...can't wait! So stay tuned for more at the end of this month.
This is one amazing girl!

Day 128

2011-05-10T05:30:00.001-07:00

Day 128

Red life.

I wasn't sure what these lovlies were, but was drawn to their color and beauty....had to snap a few shots.
Played with my aperture as well... super wide on these guys.

Day 127

2011-05-09T05:29:00.001-07:00

Day 127

Giddy.

Day 126

2011-05-08T05:29:00.001-07:00

Day 126

Prom legs.

Day 125

2011-05-07T05:28:00.001-07:00

Day 125

My niece is a junior going into a senior this year, and went to prom with a friend that is graduating. I had the privilege to tag a long a little bit...

Getting ready. :)

Day 124

2011-05-06T05:20:00.003-07:00

Day 124

I love these 3 nutty faces!

Day 123

2011-05-05T15:47:00.001-07:00

Day 123

Circles and sky.

Day 122

2011-05-04T15:46:00.001-07:00

Day 122

Some more sunflower <3

Day 121

2011-05-03T15:45:00.001-07:00

Day 121

Sunflower <3
So enjoyed these sunflower beauties in the garden at my girl's school... had to snap a couple pics. Another to follow tomorrow.

Day 120

2011-05-02T15:44:00.001-07:00

Day 120

Was at my kid's school the other day taking pics for my little daughter's teacher. :)
They have this little garden that all the kid's planted, and have been enjoying watch grow.
Really enjoyed walking thru and snapping away. Such beauty in the simplest little bit of nature... I am always in wonder at the miracle of how the earth produces food. :)

Day 119

2011-05-01T15:44:00.001-07:00

Day 119

Somebody is going to be graduating kinder soon.. ;)

Day 118

2011-04-30T07:18:00.003-07:00

Day 118

I adore my hubby's hands... his hands are hands of such strength, gentleness and kindness.
Loved the lighting on this shot.

Taking pictures at the zoo :0)

2011-04-28T11:27:00.002-07:00

I loved this super sweet tutorial at I Heart Faces :)

click here to read!

Happy snapping :)

~ Amy

Day 116

2011-04-27T06:14:00.000-07:00

Day 116

We ate dinner outside last night. As I look across our old picnic table, I see three beautiful faces... laughing, giggling, poking fun at each other. Such the picture :) Then a bit of sobering sadness washed over me.
One day, this sight that I see every night, will be gone. They won't be under my roof anymore.. their beautiful faces won't be staring back at me each night at the dinner table.
These days are so precious.
I don't want to take it for granted.

A very solemn reminder, and of course an even greater reason to tkae more pictures. :)

Day 117

2011-04-27T06:08:00.000-07:00

Day 117

In season, and we are lovin' it!

Day 115

2011-04-26T14:02:00.000-07:00

Day 115

Favorite places <3

Artistic Tuesday and Day 114

2011-04-25T20:35:00.000-07:00

Day 114

I am going to join a fun theme and my 365 shots for the day :)

My friend Rain asked the question today....

What do you do when your heart is limp? What catches your eye, captivates your artistic soul?

I thought it would be lovely to answer this question here, on my blog... photography, poetry, music, deep lyrics that speak of the profound and unutterable rumblings and groans of the heart... inspiration is stirred by images of real life that are happening around me everyday.... nothing brings my heart more joy then to capture those raw moments, when the person and their essence don't notice a camera, and I capture them.
My least favorite shots are the "cheesey" head on look into the camera shots.
No, I would rather capture real life... the stories of people's lives, the un-noticed moments, that are the true places of beauty and joy in life.
And yes, that includes taking pictures of strangers.. lol. My daughter calls me a creeper, I just see the beauty. :)

"Forever is composed of nows."
~Emily Dickenson

What speaks to your heart? What creativity stirs you?

To see more... click over to Sacred Be.

Day 113

2011-04-24T05:58:00.000-07:00

Day 113

Day 112

2011-04-23T06:06:00.000-07:00

Day 112

Hoping you had a beautiful Easter :)

Day 111

2011-04-22T06:01:00.000-07:00

Day 111

I took my kids swimming again, and brought my camera along. :)

Love water shots!

Day 110

2011-04-21T06:57:00.000-07:00

Day 110

Swimmy feet :)

Joy

2011-04-20T06:37:00.000-07:00

Life has been so busy lately.. but yesterday I took some time to take in the beauty of this spring season.

Just took a drive and walked around some places that I walk and drive by daily.
Places I swear to myself I will come back to, and take time to just enjoy and take in.

This rose garden for instance.... every single one of these rose bushes are in bloom!

And I am not even sure what this tree is called, but I am in love with it :)

It is completely pregnant with new life.... just all over the place.

Such joy, just looking at it...taking it in.. it's fragrance, color, the light that it's reaching for. Pure joy.

How easy it is for me to lose site of joy in the ordinary..and I start striving to find it only in the extraordinary.
But if I simply just look around me...today...right now, in this moment.
It's there.
Just waiting for me to take it. Embrace it.

Joy seems to me a step beyond happiness.
Happiness is a sort of atmosphere you can live in sometimes when you're lucky.
But joy.
Joy is a light that fills you with hope and faith and love.

~ Adela Rogers St. Johns

Amy

Day 109

2011-04-19T20:23:00.000-07:00

Day 109

Some more tree <3 I drive by this beauty everyday... had to snap it up today in all it's blossoming beauty.

Day 108

2011-04-18T07:59:00.000-07:00

Day 108

Morning happy :)

Day 107

2011-04-17T07:15:00.000-07:00

Day 107

My sweet Hope... little bit of pre-teen goin' on these days. :)