AMY HILL PHOTO

A Little Glimpse of Ava

I'm having one of my busiest weekends ever, but wanted to post something SO BAD! Because every week....that's my goal! So here's a sweet little favorite from my toddler session last weekend. I love Estrella Mountain Ranch because it's the closest place to feeling like California that I can get to here in the hot hot desert, but....I DON'T like Estrella Mountain Ranch because for photo shoots, there's just too many palm trees around that no matter what shot I try to get, a Palm is growing out from the top of someones head! But I talked myself into because it was just one little person, not a large family, and surely I could avoid a few frans. 

**please note, I've never complained about too many palm trees anywhere before, ever**

I was lucky enough to photograph this little beauty when she was teeny tiny. She was serious back then, and she still knew exactly how to throw me that dramtic serious look, but those eyes!!! They still get to me! Wowzer!!!

 

Flashback to Christmas

This is where I was 43 days ago. Witnessing something that brought tears to my eyes for the first time behind my camera. 5 Sisters decided to spend their Christmas in Arizona. And didn't want their Mom to know about it. They hired me to literally hide in the bushes as they showed up on her doorstep on December 23rd, and capture that moment...when their Mom opened the door to see her children and grandchildren Christmas Caroling at her door, that's when the tears came. And it was awesome.

She didn't even know I was there for the first few minutes. It was all so in the moment! I loved it. The next day we all met again for a family session. I saw, I felt, I captured, a lot of love that day. The day before Christmas. It was Very Merry.

Such love for those grandkids! I couldn't get enough of it. 

Thank you beautiful sisters, for asking me to be a part of that. I was touched in so many ways.

Just Right

When I tell you that this is quite possibly The.Most.Photographed.Family.Ever.....I mean it. Their overly talented mother has such a beautiful eye for photography and these kids have literally grown up in front of a lens. Whenever I go to their home, I have to give myself an extra 20 minutes just so I can go explore each and every room and hallway to see the newest photo collage additions. You leave feeling inspired, happy, wanting to freeze more moments of your own life and display them so you're reminded every day how blessed you are. 

So you can imagine the complete humility I felt when she asked me to do for her, what she does so amazingly well herself. I was honored. And could hardly wait. 

We discussed back and forth where this 'perfect' location would be for her family and nothing was feeling just right. I knew it had to feel that way. And knowing me, my style and what I'm able to capture at my best, I knew it had to be at their own home. Their own street. Their own neighborhood. Where they've lived, loved, grown and evolved as a family for over 30 years.  I knew this was the setting for our afternoon together.

And So it was.

And if felt just right. 

When she viewed all her images, I received a text with 'thank yous" all over it and the sweetest compliment I could receive as a photographer. "You captured my family exactly how I hoped you would".

Gulp.

And that my friends, is why I love photography.

To view their whole slide show (with hilarious behind the scenes footage) click HERE!

How Do You Know?

I'm getting so excited for the weekend when I get to do a Maternity Session. I haven't done one in a while and can't wait to let my hand and eye come up with something sweet! Baby Boy Sweet! I know when I see this radiant Mommy, my heart will melt and all the thoughts of having another baby of my own will completely flood my mind....once again. 

How do you know when you're ready, or even want to have another child? It's such a hard thing to contemplate. My baby is now 3 years old and now has a baby of her own (her new puppy)! And they grow so fast and then before you can think about having another, I look at the age gap and think I've missed the boat.

And then you look at your schedule, your life, your absolute craziness and wonder how in the world a little baby could actually 'roll' with all that? But then you realize how amidst all the craziness, you really are an awesome Mom and any child would be so lucky to have you and how it will be the greatest blessing in your life. 

And then you find yourself on your knees, praying for that answer. 

Or, perhaps you photograph a family on a beautiful winter day, and while you're adjusting your camera settings you look up and see this. And your answer is right before your eyes. Or lens.

 

Can't wait to post the ENTIRE session of this day. So many sweet, joyful moments.

In the meantime, how did you know you were ready for baby #2...3...4? 

Make This YOUR Resolution

I have come to learn through my experience as a photographer that there is something about being at home that makes you very comfortable in front of my camera. I love the images that I create when I'm in a client's home. I love the the easiness, the casual, the cozy, the unplanned and un-staged. The excitement that comes with me not planning ahead a single shot. That I just show up and watch the family interact, talk, play, connect. 

I quickly learned that this is the kind of photographer I am. Casual, natural, imperfect, beautiful, real. It's my goal this year to post only the work that I create that inspires me. In doing so, I hope it inspires you.

So make this your resolution this year, try something new.

to view their whole session Click Here

The Blog is Back

So here I am! Back from a 40 day hiatus from my blog! It feels great to be back, however I have LOVED LOVED LOVED the extra time I've chosen to spend with my kids. The extra time I've chosen to spend with the hubs. And the little extra I've been able to spend on ME! Our Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year's was AWESOME! 

So I thought I'd take you back to 40 days ago where it all started! Our very first STAYCATION! I didn't really get it before, why people would check into a hotel, in their own city and call it a vacation! But now I do, because we tried it. And loved every minute of being away from so many things that keep the 4 of us running in complete opposite directions. 

Hello Scottsdale Marriott! We are definitely coming back!

You get the point right? We could have stayed in our room and played the entire weekend. SO glad I took my camera!

Check my facebook page for more images of our Hill Family Quality Time!

It's Time To Send Out Christmas Cards

Here's a sample of a recent Holiday Mini Session I did. EVERYONE should be thinknig about their Christmas Cards by now!  I love this family! This is the third year in a row they've come to me for their Holiday Pictures. I LOVE MY CLIENTS! I gave them the choice of going to Estrella Mountain Ranch or an abandoned junkyard. She didn't even hesitate to say JUNKYARD! So I knew it was going to be awesome. 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

gobble gobble

Click Here to View Slideshow

Cuddle Up

I believe in hats and scarves, no matter where you live. I believe in behind the scenes shots (which is what most of these are) and I believe in cuddling up! The Holidays are upon us! Let's Celebrate!

I loved meeting this gorgeous family last year for their FIRST session with me. We had so much fun and I was so excited when they called me again! Seeing their little guy all grown up from a year ago blew me away. He is one lucky kid to have Mr. and Mrs. C as his parents. I love being around super happy people!

thanks guys! enjoy

 

 

Tunnel Vision

This is such a long story how I got here (the tunnel) but in a nutshell, this family had one missing child when their Grandma and Grandpa scheduled a family reunion photo shoot. So these parents asked if I could set up a time at a later date to capture a quick family photo with their daughter that wouldn't be able to make the first session. So no problem right??? Well we meet back a few weeks later and just as we started, the darkest clouds I have ever seen in Phoenix, move right in on top of us and a downpour of rain took over. 

So these images are the THIRD attempt to capture these little darlings! And they ARE DARLING, and full of personality. As soon as I told them to run through the tunnel and leap for joy, they knew just what to do. No practice needed. 

I'm loving the warmth and coziness of the last two. Getting me all ready for the Holidays and Christmas Cards and Family Togetherness! So Excited!

A Hill Halloween

This is pretty typical of a Hill Halloween.......get all excited, love the whole dress up, block party, trick or treating, over-eating, blistery feet and way too much candy kinda night. All for what???? A WHOLE SEVEN PICTURES TO REMEMBER IT! Seriously? Why does it have to be so hectic and short handed that I can never get my camera out for longer than 2 seconds? So I would like to honor the seven images that I am so grateful for. (two of which I didn't even take...i was in them).

Yes ,that's ME! MJ King of Pop baby!

our block parties are so awesome! I LOVE my neighborhood, LOVE that everyone puts in a ton of effort for the amazing food and sweets, and LOVE that I can't think of anything more devine than cake-pops. 

It was a great Halloween. Minus the lack of photo memories. (sniff sniff)