Mara Is One!

This is not the first time I have got to photograph this little beauty. Mara recently turned one year old and we needed to catch this moment because all to soon she will be losing her first tooth and getting ready for the first day of kindergarten. Oh I miss my little girl at this age but I wouldnt go back. I want to encourage my own daughter to find her way, live life to the fullest and to do that she has to experience new opportunities and learn new lessons. Jessica and James nurture every talent and help her to develop every skill but most importantly tuck her in to bed, enjoy the fingerprints on the fridge and the cheerios stuck to the floor. Cherish every mess, every smile and every goodnight kiss. I believe the change we seek starts with our children and that comes through us. So love, learn, discipline and raise up this generation to be filled with hope and the courage to learn from every heartache and grow with every mistake! Happy Birthday little one and reach for every star!

John GWHS

Today I was blessed to meet up with John and happy because the farm I pass countless times a month belongs to his parents and this is my dream shooting location. It has fields and streams, buildings and equipment from years gone by. I think the only other place on my list I want to shoot now would be the neon graveyard in Vegas and one day I will accomplish that as well! John thanks for having me out and showing me around!

Valentines Event

Boudoir Marathon Details are here. Contact me for more information...spots are going fast!

Three Prince's.

I cannot imagine raising three boys. My little guy gives me a run for my money but its gotta be fun! I imagine it will be tougher as they get older...I mean just look at them can you imagine the future daughter -n - laws that will be lining up at mom's door? Thank you so much for having me over and for extending the invitation to shoot on your property at future sessions. I will take advantage!

Boudoir Marathon

I am in the planning stages of holding a Boudoir Marathon in the Morgantown Area on January 8, 2010. Lots of people wonder what exactly a boudoir marathon is. Simply, it is a day I set aside to soley shoot boudoirs 5-10 sessions to be exact. I reserve a hotel suite and retain someone for professional hair and makeup to give you the complete experience! Im currently scouting locations and gauging interest. With that in mind please email me at amanda@amanda-reed.com if you are interested in reserving a spot. With only 5-10 spots, I imagine they will go quickly! Once I am in touch with those who are interested and secure the suite exact pricing will be announced. My boudoir sessions for Christmas are fully booked. The next best thing is to get this in time for Valentines Day.

Brittany Riverside High School 2010

Meet Brittany. Im thrilled she travelled all the way from the Charleston area to have her senior session with me. She was quite surprised to find out the enrollment for our local high school considering her high school enrolls close to 1500. Brittany thanks for making the trip up today. I hope you got the official tour of our area this evening! ;) Here is your sneak peek!

Richard MBHS

Richard braved the wind and cold for our session. He however is a firefighter so he is used to the elements. What I can tell you is that 95% of my senior guys have pictures made to make mom happy and I can tell you that 95% of those guys leave with a different idea of what a session can and should be. We have fun and we take the edge off and I think Richard will agree!

The Gorge

Okay, so anyone who knows anything about West Virginia knows about the New River Gorge and all of my out of state and west coast friends...google it right now so you can find out for yourself. I live about 45 minutes from this spectacular formation but not until today did I know how beautiful it was. You could call Kelli and Josh thrillseekers or like me call them psycho! Kelli has a dream and that is to jump off of this bridge during the annual Bridge Day Event. I myself do not like to drive across this bridge much less walk or stand on it during bridge day but Kelli I make this promise to you, if you ever get in your 15 Base Jumps for jumping allowance on Bridge Day, I will walk myself out there and take pictures to prove you are crazy! Thank you for showing me all around the gorge today and me and the family plan to go back next week! No jumping of course!

Ann Elizabeth

Today I finally got to meet Tammy and her fabulous daughter Ann Elizabeth! We met out on Gatewood Road in Oak Hill and ended our session in Fayetteville. Ann Elizabeth you have a smile like a summer breeze, it is refreshing and real and I had an amazing time photographing you today.

A Busy Weekend!

If I thought my weekend was busy I may have to think again! Holly and Allen put together a spectacular wedding this Saturday at the Craik-Patton House in Charleston. They did everything from decor to dinner. I guess I should give Wes, the best man a little credit for his hard work in the kitchen as well. Allen, the groom loves everything culinary and he did a fabulous job on the reception dinner serving up things like, pumpkin curry soup, beef short-ribs, tamales, pork and apples the list really does go on. We were able to get lots of spectacular shots of the couple. They opted for the first look which is a photographers dream, giving us plenty of time before the ceremony to shoot the bride and groom. Later that night we met back up on Capitol Street for some shots downtown. So what's next for this lovely couple...oh not much, just a permanent trip to Denver, as they move there this week. Best of luck to all of you and much success in Colorado!

Seniors Times Two

Today I travelled that long road to Oceana and thankfully the rain held off long enough to shoot senior sessions for Alisha and Gracie. I did have to cancel my other sessions due to the flu and weather conditions but life is good and Im thankful to these gals for showing me around. Our session started off at Twin Falls, then Oceana on down to Clearfork. We have tried this session a couple of times before but mother nature always gets us. Today we beat her by about three minutes! Thank you ladies for a great time today and I hope you enjoy your sneak peek!

Willie GWHS Class of 2010

I drove out to Willie's grandparents place this evening to shoot his session. It was very relaxed and a bit refreshing to shoot a senior guy after a long list of young ladies. I remember when Willie was in kindergarten and I remember his beautiful eyes and he still has them. His mom Lisa joined us this evening....she just had her 20 year high school reunion and it is so fun seeing the images from when she was in high school with everyone. Now it is her son's turn and maybe 20 years from now we will be looking at these images again when he celebrates his reunion! Good Times!

Jessica!

Meet Jessica. Today I met Jessica literally in the middle of no where and I can assure you it is the place to be. Its easy to feel on top of the world when you are standing there. Our session took place on a farm in Nicholas County. Breathtaking to say the least but the best part was that Hank was there. Yeah, Hank is the horse and Jessica is his barrel racing rockstar rider! I could have watched Jessica ride this horse all day long. Myself, I have never been on a horse but I could almost feel the wind through my hair as he flighted her across the pasture! I had a wonderful time and thank you for inviting me to wonderful location for your session this morning!

Happy Birthday!

Today is my son's third birthday and my husband also turns 37 today. I have to say that today is my favorite day of the year. Without the birth of the greatest husband and father I know, my life would be drastically different. Happy Birthday guys, I love you both! That last shot is my favorite 3 year old picture ever. If he wouldn't think it was crazy I would have a big canvas right in my living room. Love that laugh but in a few years he would say, "mom Im in my underwear"

The Baker Family

Today the Baker's made it over for their family session. We had gorgeous fall color and the rain clouds decided to hold their moisture so we could shoot this session. These girls are great. I love the fact that Lydia is no holds bars. In the hour we were together I could tell she lives for the outdoors and running and jumping. Just the way a kid should be. I can remember my mom telling my brothers and me "Go outside its to nice to play in the house" bet you would only have to tell Lydia that once! Brenley on the other hand is a pre-teen. This is a very important age to be photographed. Just as important as a newborn and senior session. This girl is on the brink of discovering just who she is and where she wants to go and do with her life. It's a time similar to childhood when you see everything bigger than you are except you begin to see that you are the "bigger" piece to the puzzle. That even though you are one person you play a larger role in humanity and charity then you ever thought before. To mom and dad I have to say "Thank You" Dad proudly served our country in Iraq and is still serving our country here at home. I cant imagine being a world away from my children trying to ensure that every child has the same dream and ability to reach it as my own. I also cannot imagine being a mother and tucking my children in at night while my husband was a world away and being strong and confident in my efforts to support not just my family but the man who is risking everything for a better world for all of us. So as a thank you...if you are military and you call and schedule a session between now and December for Spring of 2010 you will recieve a complimentary 11x14 wall portrait. Jeni and Steve I also have a little something for you as well, I will have it waiting for you when you order! I just have to say that God has truly blessed me on my photographic journey and anytime I can pass that on to someone else I pray I will be humbled and do so!