It's The Connection that Hooks Us

When I go to make coffee/tea there are a thousand coffee mugs in my cupboard. Only a handful that I would actually want to drink out of... today my normal two were both dirty and it got me thinking: it's a cup. Why does it matter? 

And all I can narrow it down to is the connection. Any photog could be your photog. When you look at your pictures, and you didn't really love your photog, are you going to already have a half-hearted feeling about them, not because you don't love the picture but simply because you didn't love the experience of it. 

I have a favorite cup in the back of the cupboard, which I love so much that I don't use it because I'm scared it will break (I may or may not have stolen it from my dad because it reminds me of him).  Today I used it. So Today started perfectly.   

The moral of this semi-caffinated story is... the connection matters.  Don't ruin your day with a meh coffee cup, or a meh connection with your photog.  Never settle for something that doesn't make your heart happy.

SPOTLIGHT on this Happiness Shoot || Lewiston Photographer

"She HATES having her picture taken.  And being the center of attention,"  her mom told me when we met about the upcoming wedding.  

I wish I had kept track of how many people start their stories out by telling me that.  It's really fun to have people who like to have their picture taken but in the nearly 10 years I've been shooting I can count how many clients I've had that do on my fingers.  I work from home 5-7 days of the week and my "co-workers" don't speak back to me in human language. So when I'm actually with people who talk back to me it's WAY easier to have a conversation.  I don't think of shoots as work so much as socialization ;)  I love to spend engagement shoots getting to know who I'm documenting, which means yes we will take pictures but mostly of you telling me your story.  

When I met Bekah + Matt + Isla I was instantly in love.  They are an amazing family.  Every conversation and reaction is calm & easy.  These people who don't like to be photographed are my people :D  I cannot wait for their wedding and to see little Isla in her dress!!! 

Are you engaged?  Do you want to take fun pictures without feeling like your being photographed... I would love to meet you!  Email me at heartsfoto@gmail.com for information and availability. 

A Zinger of an Engagement || Las Vegas, Nevada Wedding Photographer

Stepping off the plane and the chimes of the slot machines makes my heart beat faster, I'm certain my pupils dilate and I instantly feel like a WINNER ;) Do you LOVE Vegas?!  My infatuation blossomed on my 21st birthday, and from there Vegas and I have had a distant love affair.

I have never done a wedding there, so when a good family friend asked me to be their photog I was beyond giddy. BEYOND.

 Nelson Ghost Town + The Neon Museum + Red Rock Canyon.  YES PLEASE! This is the kind of engagement shoot I dream of! An all day adventure where I get to hang out with my client/friends! 

It wasn't hard to fall completely in love with these two! They are so magical together. Laugh at and with each other. It was way too easy to show how much they love each other... despite the sweat and the weird aliens in the room next to the bathroom that scared the $hit out of Kristy and me! 

xo-Amanda

Are you engaged? Do you want to have an adventurous day taking pretty pictures?! Please tell me all about it:   heartsfoto.com   Check out some of our other engagements here.

Happy New Years!

I've taken a two week hiatus on life.  Close to no computer or social media, and almost no actual socializing.  This year has been the most amazing year in my career.  It has also been the busiest and I felt that two weeks of reclusive behaviors would help me rejuvenate all my brain cells for the beginning of what will be another perfect year!  Here it is 2017!!! I can't wait to get to know you better!

What's this years resolutions look like for you? Mine is to actually blog.  So here I am... blogging ;) First I will be going back over 2016 and blogging all of the amazing shoots + weddings I did and loved but never shared more than a pic or two.  

What I would really like to share today is that we have another associate joining our amazing team.  Holley is going to be lead shooting as well as Katy.  They are a great team together and separately.  Holley has a very fashion editorial feel to her work, which is so different from Katy and my more candid work.  This diversity is what makes her a huge asset to our team.  We love both styles and are so excited to incorporate her and her beautiful style into HeartsFoto.