First Shoot

Willows Park with Ella & Caroline

Back in November I walked into my co-worker and friend's classroom and found her online searching for a photographer so that she could get pictures of her girls for Christmas cards. I immediately told her that I was available. I had been wanting to start taking pictures but I hadn't found any opportunities to do so. She willingly said yes and we set a date.

We decided to go to the Willows Park (it just so happened to be the park John & I got engaged at) because there were lots of trees and we were hoping for some great leaves. This is what I saw when I got there:

I'd say that we were good on the leave front. This made me so excited and I couldn't wait to get the girls in the leaves. There were all these ideas running through my head. Which was a good thing because on my drive over I was stressing out as to what I was going to do with these girls. I had never posed people for pictures before and I didn't want my friend to be unhappy with the results.

Turns out, things went wonderfully. I gave the girls a little direction, and they took it from there. Boy, were these girls great subjects to shoot. Here are a select sampling of the pictures I took:

 There was a great rock wall that served as our back drop.

 Ella was a tough one to get to focus on the camera.

But she sure did have some great candid shots!

 Caroline was great in helping Ella out. She truly loves her sister.

 I wasn't sure if the girls were going to have fun with the leaves.

Once I asked them to start playing with them, it was difficult to get them to stop.

These girls made the day so much fun. I was on a photography high and I couldn't wait to do it again.

Remember: "There are no rules to good photographs, there are just good photographs." ~Ansel Adams

Hope you enjoyed them!

~Amy J. Gardner

Barefoot in Blue Jeans....The Beginning

Once upon a time ....

I have always enjoyed looking at photographs and taking pictures myself. Of course I have not idea what I am doing and have only owned a general "point and shoot" camera. My friends throughout the years had to get used to me having a camera attached to my hand. I was quick to document all our adventures and thoroughly enjoyed posting the pictures on myspace or facebook.

For our first Christmas, John got me a "nice" camera. One that I have been too stubborn to  buy myself because it was just too expensive. What a loving husband! Little did he know, he was creating a force to be reckoned with. Having no children yet, my popular photo subjects were John and our dog, Rizzo. Here are some of my favorite shots:

They were such troopers! I especially love the looks I would get. It's as if they were saying "Really? Another one?"

Now, though I still like to take pictures of my guys, I have moved on. I have begun to take pictures for friends of their families, children, and grandchildren. Going out to help capture and create memories for others has brought me great joy. I have the best days when I am able to get out there and shoot.

I hope to share that joy with you here on this site.

Enjoy!!

~Amy J. Gardner