The "P" Gang

I'm behind on blogging, as my life is currently being packed up in boxes & I can't keep many things straight, so forgive me as this post is coming on the late side of things.... I'm attempting to begin to get caught up again!

A few weeks ago I played out in a field with the awesome "P" kiddos & their fun loving mama, Stephanie. I LOVED witnessing each child's distinctly different personality. They are so adorable together, but also such fun individually. We had quite an interesting shoot, as the family dog that came along for the ride locked them out of their vehicle at one point... Ooops! We ended up going back to their house to get another set of keys, which is where I took this first shot... and it ended up being my favorite of the day.... So thanks puppy! :o)

I promise I did NOT tell them to hold hands! That's genuine brotherly love, folks!

The beautiful ladies of the family....

Relocating!

It's official! My little family will be doing lots of packing over the next two weeks as we prepare for our move at the end of this month. This obviously also means that Amanda Donaho Photography will be servicing a new area.

Tulsa has been a awesome place for myself, my family, and my camera & I'm so thankful to have met all of you whom I have been able to "shoot" - I appreciate the many of you who have made me your "go-to-photographer" for all things photo related, and the good news is that it doesn't have to end! I have several things going on in Tulsa through the end of the year & beyond, so I will still be scheduling photoshoots during my times in the area. Please contact me for date info, as the dates I will be back in town have already begun to book up quickly!

Cincinnati - here I come! If you don't already know, Cincinnati is the wonderful city from which I originally hail from & though I am sad to leave my family & friends in Tulsa, I am excited as well to catch back up with all of those in the Cincy area. I will be servicing the Southeast Indiana, Northern Kentucky, Cincinnati & Dayton areas beginning June 1st. Please call or shoot me an email (amanda@donahophotography.com) for scheduling/pricing info! There is more exciting info to come SOON on this move!

Music in the Dark

If you're just now joining this blog, then I should preface by saying that while this is a "photography blog" per-say, I also choose to blog about some personal things here as well. Today's entry falls into that category.

One of my favorite things to do is lock myself off into a dark room (usually my bedroom) turn off all the lights & lay there listening to music off my ipod. (In this case, Hayden's ipod as mine is no where to be found). I like the fact that it's so dark that I can't see anything else in the room to focus on so I am forced to focus on the music. I like that I can't hear anything else because I'm listening with earphones, so again, no distractions there. It's just very soothing & helps me wind down.

The last few days, even weeks for us (as a family) have had some unexpected curves. You know, the kind where you're driving along & without warning you're being jerked one direction or the other? Just like that. Anyways, it's at times like these when my music in the dark sessions become really vital to me.... Last night I listened to this song by Over the Rhine about 10 times in a row. It's a beautiful song & somehow really spoke to me in this phase in our lives. I'm so thankful for artists who create music to speak to our hearts.

Happy Mothers day to all the mamas out there..... I hope that today you're able to rest, relax & recoup. And if you get some alone time, go listen to a little music in the dark.

The "A" Kids

Meet the A-Team! These kiddos belong to friends of mine & I just love them! I had lots of fun this weekend in our photoshoot.... Honest to goodness, these 3 are THE most sweet, gentle, well mannered kids I know. Many many kudos to their mom & dad for raising such amazing kids! I've tried to pick up some parenting tips from them in my quest for raising Noah :o)

The whole gang...

Poor Sierra... she was so sleepy.... As I was taking the above shot of the boys I looked behind me to find her curled up in my laundry basket full of props :o) It was too cute!

The Journey of Desire

My husband LOVES to read..... It's one of his favorite things to do. In fact, he often says that more than a vacation to an exotic location filled with fun & friends, he'd prefer a trip by himself to an isolated cabin to do nothing but read. I am quite the opposite - After about 2 hours alone in a cabin I'd be calling everyone I know & inviting them over. I'm an extrovert through-and-through & rarely spend time alone, much less in "silence."

This is probably one of the reasons that I basically never read. There have been a select few books in my lifetime that I tore through the pages of, unable to stop reading (namely Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers... AMAZING book). For the most part, however, I don't make time to read, and if I do, it usually ends in me falling asleep.

I have a family FULL of read-a-holics..... my husband, dad, best friends... my grandma is a librarian for peats-sake! I feel like I'm missing out.... So I am attempting a new book. It's called The Journey of Desire and it's by John Eldredge. I am trying something a little different as I read this time. I am going to have my notebook with me as I read so that when I read something that stands out to me I can jot it down.... I'm hoping this will keep me more focused as I read.

Noah is napping, so off I go to curl up with my blanket, coffee & book.....

Dallas - Senior Photo Session

I was blessed today with more wonderful weather & another awesome senior. We had alot of fun today - Dallas is a great guy! Even despite the fact that he likes to get his mom in a headlock :o) Just kidding, Dallas! Had a great time today & hope you love these next few shots as much as I do!

One final photo for your viewing pleasure this evening.... Dallas has been attending his church, Guts, for several years & is an important part of his life, so when his mom suggested getting a few shots there, I thought it was a fantastic idea!