Cold Day in Paradise.

My favorite place.  Snow always sounds so fun... but lets face it.  If you are a kid and it's snowy and cold but you don't get to play in it.  It's downright torturous!!!  We did our best... and captured a couple falling tears in the process.  Parents... family pictures feel stressful but even tears are so good to look back on!!! I love telling my kids, "You were a terrorist that day! Look how sad you were!!!"  And they reply, "Awww I was so little and cute! Why would I cry!" Kids are funny! Just roll with whatever they bring to the shoot! In the end... you will love it no matter what face they are making!

xo-Amanda

|| H Fam ||

It was cold.  She was adorable.  We talked Comic-con, which I knew nothing of until that day. They are a fabulously adorable family!

xo-Amanda

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.

Change

Change

Change is a funny thing.  Most of the time we want it. We think about it.  We dream about it. Some ingrained fear keeps us from acting on it.  Until one day we realize that we just need to take the first step towards it.  

So for many years I have wanted to change my business name.  Because my life has changed.  I have changed. My business has changed.  I want a more simple presence.  And… while I love horses and everything rustic and country,  I love all weddings and would prefer to not be typecast to just one genre.  

As the business slowly transitions from Hearts & Horseshoes Photography to HeartsFoto, just know that nothing has changed but the name.  Thank you for all the love & support! 

xo-🌈🌟-Amanda,  Josh,  Katy,  Holley,  Johanna

Lifestyle Shoot

When people ask for a family session it's usually a more formal portrait session where I try to capture their personalities in an hour.  I am now offering Lifestyle sessions to those who don't just want the posed family photo but also a day of adventure.  Be it hiking, a day at the beach, or any other fun family activity, nothing shows off the real you like a day of candid shots while you are doing something you love the most.  Or close to the most.  

I ran around with one of my favorite families for a day while they were doing a branding. I had so much fun seeing how the day unfolded and capturing moments that I know are just as special, if not more special because they are just the raw day with nothing directed.  Until the end. We did one shot where we posed ;)

xo-Amanda   {www.heartsandhorseshoes.com}

How you KNOW they are your people.

You know... when you pull up to their house and you feel like it's home.

I met this lovely couple at one of my all-time favorite weddings.  At the time they were prego with their youngest, who is now two! Now they are excited to add a new baby to the mix, and they aren't finding out beforehand!  I love when people wait to find out... it makes it so much more exciting!!!  

The three girls are the most cooperative and helpful people, which lets face it... sets the mood for the experience.  SO on this magically sunny day in FEBRUARY (guess which state I was in ;)) I was able to capture so much cuteness in a short time. 

 I love when it feels like we are all old friends and I'm the crazy aunt, and it doesn't have to feel forced.  That's always the goal!!!

So much fun! Thank you sweet friends for having me out for another adventure! I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE!!! XO

Kids

We all have different reasons for having kids.  Some of us (hand is raised) had NO idea we would even be having kids... and then despite all efforts... surprise!  The biggest surprise for me was that after being very unsure about having a child, it was very natural and I was instantly in love with Presley.  And scared again that I couldn't love anyone as much as I loved her... I loved Grace just as much.  Everyday I love them more and more, which never even sounds possible but it's true.  

Over the years the "phases" have shifted, P in one, G in the other. The whole business of being a parent is so trying on your patience and sanity.  But at the end of the day, literally everyday, when I sit with them in the car and at dinner and they tell me all about everything it's amazing to me how smart they are, and how I look forward to those moments more than any other.  They are simple moments, and literally perfect. 

And then there's the weekends.  I love that they want more than anything to get their "farmer"clothes on and go play outside, and want to go for hikes so they can play by the creek, sword fight with sticks and race around chasing bunnies.  

I guess the point of my story is that it goes way to damn fast.  And I need to bring my camera along more.