“What custom photography ultimately is all about is choice and experience (as in THE experience). Custom photography is about finding someone who will photograph your family, give you devoted 1:1 attention without worry of the next ‘in line’ or the feeling of a crowded portrait studio. A custom photographer will typically show you a fairly extensive gallery culled to only the good images that meet the photographers’ creative sensibilities. Often the images are fully edited and color-corrected with blemishes and undereye circles removed.

Custom photographers are also known as boutique studios, offering a range of products and unparalleled service. Think Lexus vs. Hyundai… Nordstrom vs. Wal-Mart.

Custom photography should have you, the client, and your experience in mind.”

Read more at the Professional Child Photographer Consumer Guide - created by Marianne Drenthe.

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Thanks to the “C” family for inviting me to capture Miss A. She’s a total sweetheart.

See you soon.

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“Amanda was a joy to work with. She did our session under unusual circumstances… at the airport, on military timing, which meant we had no information! Even with little notice, not much room, and tons of people in the way, Amanda did a GREAT job. She really has a gift. She was able to capture the emotions along with the shots. She was very patient and friendly. I’m not sure how often her clients are a big mess of nerves, but she put up with me being neurotic and my 4-year-old being really excited. The pictures are wonderful, great quality, and everyone who I show cries. Amanda has a gift both with photography and with people.” — A

How sweet is that?

Last week, I received this review out of the blue from a client I worked with late last summer. “A” found me through the Operation: Love ReUnited network when I was volunteering for them at that time. Her husband was scheduled to return from Iraq, and we had an impromptu reunion session at Hartsfield-Jackson with the couple and their sweet daughter, “E”.

Here are just a few shots from the day:

This is Miss “E”… waiting patiently for her daddy to arrive.

“A” and “E” watching as the troops come up the escalator. I specifically recall “A” telling me that she was more excited than she was on her wedding day. (I love how complete strangers were gathered around watching and getting emotional… like this woman in the background, for example).

Finally home!

The happy family… all together again!

I don’t quite know how to explain the emotion of that day. It was an emotional week, for me, personally. My dear friend’s brother had passed away in Iraq… and… another close friend’s husband had deployed… all in that same week. I tried to “keep it together” at this session for “A” and her family, but I admit… it was difficult! It was such a blessing, though, to meet this sweet family and witness their happy homecoming.

“A” - thanks again for the kind words, and for allowing me to capture this happy time in your family’s life. It is a day I won’t soon forget.

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Isn’t it beautiful?! It’s called a Portuguese Man o’ War. I had never seen one in person, only in science books in high school…. but I remembered its unique look with its long, tangled tentacles.

Drawn to its transparent body and gorgeous blue-green color, I got down on its level to take a few shots, and while I was studying it, it moved. I was a little startled because I had thought it was dead, but it was still alive and kicking in the little pool left behind by the tide. As it moved, it appeared to be raising up to get a closer look at me, or maybe to wave at the camera? See….

Well, it wasn’t actually waving at me, but rolling around in the water since it needs to stay wet in order to survive. This one was about 14 inches in length, and it appeared to have several babies floating around it. At one point, a curious teenager came over and scooped up one of the babies in a cup, and put it a few feet away in the same pool. Almost like magic, the baby seemed to be drawn to its mother, and it quickly floated right back and tucked itself near her side.

Very neat little creatures, indeed.

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But… it’s finally done! You have to go check it out. Right now. And then come right back here. Cool?

Okay. Go have a peak. I’ll wait……….

You’re back already? So, it’s pretty sweet, right?

I’d like to thank my awesome husband for hooking me up with a gorgeous new design. How lucky am I? I wanted something unique, and I wanted to be able to display big, beautiful images… and he gave me exactly what I had envisioned. Of course, my little site is just small potatoes compared to the type of work he’s capable of… check out his portfolio if you get a chance. Eric is an amazing designer… plus, he likes to take pretty pictures too. I heart him. :)

Okay… so, there are several new things you should check out on the new site. Aside from a ton of new portraits… there is a new FAQ section, Raves & Reviews from a few of my awesome clients, a Portrait Investment guide complete with product photos, a Preview area where you will view your session images, and a private Client Info Area for current clients. There is even a new Contact form, which I am really excited about. If you select a Session Type from the drop-down menu, the form expands to reveal a complete Pre-Session Questionnaire (which has already proven to be a great time-saver for both myself and my clients, and it really speeds up the booking process). Oh, there is also a Sitemap and a new Service Area map to show my main service area for Atlanta and beyond. AND… I’ve refreshed the blog here to match the new site.

Wow. Okay, so you can see why it took me so long to build this thing!

So, I hope you like it. Please check back regularly because I plan to start blogging more often in the coming weeks. Better yet, subscribe to the RSS feed (or our newsletter) while you’re here. I’ve got lots more news to share, but for now… I’m off to watch Grey’s Anatomy!

See you soon…

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This cutie received 965 votes. Wow! Congrats Sweetie #1!

And a big congrats to *all* of the adorable babies in the contest. Each one received hundreds of votes!

A little surprise for all 5 of the contestants: We plan to feature each one of the sweethearts in our gallery on the upcoming relaunch of Capturinglight.com! If you’d like to be notified when the site goes live, just subscribe to updates on the blog.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the contest.

Here’s to a fantastic 2008!

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It was so difficult to decide between all the cuties from my 2007 sessions, so I enlisted the help of a few judges. They have narrowed down the options to the five sweethearts below, and I am quite happy with their decision.

Cast your vote for your favorite Sweetie of 2007. The winner will receive a complimentary mounted 8×10 of the winning image. Voting ends on Jan. 10, 2008 at midnight EST (Thurs. night). If you’d like to be notified of the winner, please subscribe to our blog.

Good luck, everyone!

Click thumbnails to enlarge photos.

UPDATE: We’ve had over 2,000 successful votes so far… with only one person having an issue voting. If you are unable to vote because someone at your IP address has already voted (a co-worker in your office, for example), feel free to vote from your home computer or a different location. Or, you may simply email me your vote, and I will count it in once the poll has ended.

VOTING IS NOW CLOSED. All votes sent via email have been tallied and the winner has been announced!  Thanks to all who voted!

* You may vote only once. All votes are logged by IP address. Please see Update above.

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Proofs:
If you had a session in early December, you’ll be given access to your gallery of proofs in the next couple of days. All orders submitted at this point will be processed in early January.

Availability:
Capturinglight Photography will be closed Dec 22 - Jan 1 to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s with our families. Any emails/voicemails sent during this time will be returned as soon as possible after we reopen Jan 2.

Thanks and have a blessed holiday season!

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As always, client galleries are on online for (7) days… however, the quicker you get your order in, the better. I can’t promise holiday delivery by Christmas at this point (since the Nov. 15 deadline passed), but it is still possible. Just an FYI.

On a personal note… I have the Mother of All Sinus Infections™. Historically, it seems I get sick every year around Thanksgiving… and this week has been a challenge, to say the least.

Ok, that is all. I just needed a little sympathy :)

Until next time…

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If you missed the Nov. 5 deadline for ordering specialty items (canvases, albums, etc), I cannot guarantee these orders will be delivered before Christmas… but I will do my very best.

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving next week. :)

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