3.31.08 : : Random Utensil Shot

I've been struggling with finding inspiration lately with this drab sorta spring/sorta still freezing weather. But beauty can be found in the ordinary.

3.29.08 : : Sweet Saturday

Check this cutie out! This is Andrew and he is this close to being a whole year old.


If I had a little guy, you can totally bet his hair would be in a righteous mohawk just like this one. I love it!

Andrew is having his very first birthday very soon and what better way to celebrate than making a big, sticky sweet mess with a cupcake!

After a looooong winter of being holed up in the studio for all of my sessions, I was practically giddy at the thought of being outside for a few shots. Andrew wasn't nearly as giddy though and while this image looks lovely and sweet as he's scootin' on his Retro Rider, he's actually making sad baby noises. Poor guy. We headed right back inside pronto.

But I got my next session outside and into a back ally! Yay! Brody's jumping for joy too!

3.24.08 - 3.26.08 : : OSP Indy!

Road trips are always fun and this week's road trip down to Indianapolis for the OSP Indy (OSP stands for Open Source Photo, which is an amazing forum that I'm on)was certainly no exception. It was so much fun I couldn't even drag myself away to post any pictures! So as promised, I'm making up for it by posting an overload of them.

So who was part of this most amazing road trip?

The lovely and sassy Kerri from http://www.taylorgreyphotography.com/

The lovely and adorable Kelly of http://www.kellypowersphotography.com/ And my girl and fabulous studio partner Jen of http://www.jkphotographyonline.com/
And because we're all a little sassy, we thought we'd make up some shirts to show everyone down there that we are the real deal.

This is the back of Kelly's shirt and we ordered them to wear. Cute right? Well guess what? Mine DIDN'T SHOW UP IN TIME! I was completely jealous that I had to keep telling everyone I was a bad ass GR photographer instead of having my shirt announce it for me.

It was three days of fun, inspiration, shooting and meeting other amazing photographers at the beautiful Omni Hotel in downtown Indianapolis.

We heard from Garrett Nudd who is seriously amazing. His work is not only incredible, but listening to him talk about the start to his photography career was completely validating. I could have listened to him talk all day.

We also heard from Kevin Swan, Brandi Brown, and Jennifer Driscoll, all of whom are completely talented and have me SO incredibly pumped up for this wedding and portrait season.

Jennifer Driscoll led a maternity session and we had a chance to work with some models Tuesday morning.

So sweet! This couple is expecting their first baby very soon.

This little one was hanging out just taking all of us crazy photographers in. They are starting them younger and younger these days.Kelly's totally rocking that lens. Jen, your eyes are beautiful!
Of course it wasn't all work and no play.

And these are just some random shots from the week.


I can't believe I almost forgot this part! On Tuesday afternoon we had a creativity challenge in which the entire group of attendees were divided into four smaller groups. Guess who was chosen to be the model for my group? Me! I was indulged in every America's Next Top Model fantasy I've ever had! Except for the part where I am good at being on the other side of the camera. Thank goodness I had some very talented photographers in my group. These were courtesy of the lovely Leann of Life Spring Photography.

So is this fierce?!

And if you're really trying to find an excuse not to work, you can check out the photobooth slideshow posted by KC Ferrell Photography right here.

I'm Back!

Hi everyone! I am SO sorry for posting absolutely nothing this week yet. I have gotten a few frustrated emails but want to reassure everyone that I will totally make up for it.

We are finally back from OSP Indy and had SUCH an amazing time. And I know that this post totally sucks because I don't have any pictures, but I will be posting MANY very soon as I get through them and all of my many emails, voice mails, and any updates on celebrity scandals I might have missed.

All of us fabulous GR photographers got back late last night and are tired, exhausted, and totally pumped up about wedding season! Stay tuned!

3.23.08 : : Happy Easter!

I know that I post a lot of bird pictures, but this one is a rare find!

And for those of you who have been following this blog for a while...yes, I am shamelessy the same picture that I took and used for last Easter's POTD. I wasn't feeling overly inspired with the all snow outside today. But I hope your Easter weekends were filled with happiness and warmth!

***On a side note***

I will be out of town from Monday, March 24 till Thursday, March 27. I am heading down to Indianapolis with three other fabulous area photographers for a workshop being held there (Fun! Road Trip!). I will do my best to post while away, but if I miss a day or so, I'll gladly make up for it when I return. If you need to get ahold of me, I will have phone and email access but may take a bit longer to return your call or message.

3.22.08 : : Baby.Cake

Meet Morgan!

Morgan is celebrating her very first birthday on Monday.

While not walking yet, she looks cute trying!

Morgan's a thinker. She contemplates life.
Morgan's mom is starting her own cheesecake company! Yum! How lucky have I been in the dessert industry lately?Want your own? Visit her blog at http://www.cheesecakeibake.blogspot.com/

Rachel, you are so cute with that cake!

3.21.08 : : Mother Nature Does it Again.

I know Noah. I thought warmer weather was on its way, too.

Voting Time is Up!

I know you all have been anxiously awaiting the final tally for the winner of the POTD contest and have had a hard time sleeping at night not knowing. Well, the wait is over and the winner is....

...well, it's a tie! We have two winners!

Many Moons by Christine and Dolphin Dreams by Nichole!



Coming in a close second (or third I guess...depending on how you look at it) was Angie's foot. I cannot believe this was a contender. And I know that sounds incredibly rude, but there is a story and inside joke to the submission of the foot picture.

Many times I'll be chatting with Angie (who is my second shooter and close friend) and will mention that I have yet to take the picture of the day. She always offers that if I'm really at a loss, I can take a picture of her foot. It's kind of a joke now, and while I don't know why it was her foot that was offered up, as some other limb or body part, but the joke stuck and when she saw the contest, she was all too happy to finally have the opportunity to present her foot, in all it's Hawaiian glory. So there Angie. Your foot has made the POTD and was even picked as a clear winner by some.

Thanks again to all the contributers and voters!

3.20.08 Time to Vote!

First of all, thank you to all who submitted pictures!

Secondly, there is no possible way I can vote on my own for the winner of the POTD contest so not only have I asked you to send in pictures, but now I'm also asking for you to now help me vote. So basically I'm asking for everyone else to do my work. That's good delegation.

In no particular order, here are the submissions you get to vote on. Flowers and dogs were a popular choice!


#1. Dolphin Dreams by Nichole
#2. Big Dog, Little Dog by Beth
#3. Many Moons by Christine
#4. Hawaiian Foot by Angie
#5. Kahne & Emmy by Ashley

#6. Spring Daffodil by Sara
#7. Lovely Orchids by John (submitted by Jody)
#8. Pixel in the Park by Daisy
#9. Fabulous Florida Flower by Paula


#10. Colorful Baby Cuteness by Jodi

I've picked my favorite and I'll reveal it later tomorrow but for now, let's hear what y'all think! Oh, and happy first day of Spring!

POTD Contest

Just a reminder that you have till the end of the day to send me your pictures for the POTD contest. I have been receiving SO many wonderful pictures and am excited to share my favorites with y'all!

3.19.08 : : Evidence. And a Contest.

As I walked out to the mailbox this afternoon I happened to look down along my pathway and saw actual things growing out of the ground. Spring has sprung people! I had heard a rumor that spring was on its way, but after the long winter we've had I wasn't holding out much hope. I figured I should probably document my findings just in case so quickly ran inside for my camera.
These are all various varieties of tulips planted along my pathway and in the landscaping by my house. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to actually seeing the flowers.
Two days of Tanner in a row!
Also, I totally missed posting a POTD yesterday. So instead of taking something uninspired today and posing like I actually took it yesterday and just forgot to post, I'm putting it in your hands. I have many people who email to say they are love taking pictures so let's see some!

Email me something quirky, creative, fun, colorful, etc. and the one I like the best will be posted as Tuesday's missing Picture of the Day (you will get photo credit). Please make sure when you are emailing your pictures to scale them down to approximately 640x480 pixels. Also, only one submission per person please.

You can send your submissions to: amy@acarrollphotography.com

3.17.08 : : Happy St. Patrick's Day from Tanner J!

There was no consumption of alcohol by any chihuahuas in the creation of this photo.

I hope that everyone had a fun and safe St. Patrick's Day!

Back By Popular Demand!

Due to popular demand (and because it was SO much fun), Jen and I have decided to host another beginners course to photography workshop!

Here are the details;

Wednesday April 16th from 6pm-9:00pm at the Mirror Mirror Studio located downtown Grand Rapids!

You will learn to:

-Use the manual controls on your camera
-Learn how to use available light
-Pose your subjects
-Compose your shots & much more!

This is a hand's on workshop and we'll have a live model for the second half of the class so that you will learn how to put your knowledge to use.

There will be ample opportunity for any and all of your questions as well as an outlined curriculum with everything you need to know to start using your camera more efficiently. We hope you will leave the workshop feeling excited, exhilarated and ready to go out there and conquer the photography world!

A light dinner will be provided for you and the class will be limited to 20 participants so as to have a lot of opportunity for one-on-one learning.

The cost for the workshop is $150. We will also stick around after the workshop for anyone interested in a private session for an extra $100.

Seating is limited and will be based on a first-come, first-serve basis. Payment can be made through PayPal or by check.

We encourage all of those who are interested in learning their camera's better to sign up. This will be fun night of learning and shooting and we couldn't be more excited to be offering this!
To sign up, simply email either

Jen at info@jkphotographyonline.com or amy@acarrollphotography.com.

Hope to see you there!

3.16.08 : : Make Love Not War

I was downtown wrapping up an engagement session when I caught this group of protesters marching the downtown streets. Immediately the soundtrack to 'Across the Univervse' popped in my head (I just watched this movie recently and it's completely amazing. I downloaded the entire soundtrack to my iPod) and I grabbed my gear to capture some images.Both young and old and were marching and it was quite a sight to behold.

I should note that these images were actually captured on Saturday, but Sunday's are a day for me to rest, spend time with Jason and watch back to back episodes of America's Next Top Model on MTV. Not exactly gripping material in which to photograph.

3.15.08 : : Triple the Fun

This morning and afternoon were packed with photo shoot goodness as I had a maternity shoot, an engagement shoot and a family shoot all back to back. I only have a few Saturday's left before wedding season will be in full swing so I have many that have been taking advantage of me having this day open.



This adorable couple is getting married at the end of May and although we would have loved just a bit warmer temps, we had a fabulous time photographing in and around the area of the new downtown art museum. This area had a special significance to these two love birds as this is where Blair proposed to his fiance'. Awww!

I always love a fun action shot.

These happy parents-to-be are actually friends of my husband and I and there first little one should be here any day now.

This first picture is so sweet...a happy, in-love couple celebrating their little baby bump.
And while technically, this picture is all over the place...this is so them. So excited, sweet and silly. I can't wait to meet little Baby...... Oh that's right...you wouldn't tell me the name! I can't stand not knowing!
And finally this adorable family came in for some updated family photos and I couldn't have enjoyed working with them more.

Little Emma wasn't so sure about the camera to start but with a face this cute she's going to have to warm up to the idea!

3.14.08 : : Familiar Faces

This evening I was covering a corporate event the St. Nicholas Cultral Center and was so happy to see a former bride and groom who's wedding I shot in 2006. I miss all of you after you go and get married!

3.13.08 : : My Blog Readers are Fabulous!

Now that I've buttered y'all up, I'm going to ask for a little help from all of you ;)

I need your help in choosing an ad design I've been working on for a magazine that the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel publishes and distributes. The deadline is coming due and I'm completely stuck.

I'm not 100% sure these are the pictures/content I'll be using, but what I'm most concerned with is the layout. Do you like the simplicity of the first ad, or the variety of pictures with the second?

I like a nice, clean and simple design, but I would also like to get the most 'bang for my buck' and showcase more than one picture. What do you all think? Which ad draws you in?

Help a frustrated girl out!

3.12.08 : : The Sweet Life of a Photographer

Barb Hoek, owner and amazing baker of Sweet Cakes Design, is one of the sweetest people I know (no pun intended). She is a vendor I repeatedly refer out to my clients, not only for her amazing wedding cakes, but also for birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers and America's Next Top Model marathons. Do you really need a big celebration as an excuse to eat cake?

Today Jen and I traveled to the new home of Sweet Cakes Design (located on West River Drive) to see the new digs and to drop off some marketing materials. I was elated to see how adorable the new store front is...complete with fancy cakes and adorable furnishings. We got the grand tour and then of course had to whip out our cameras to take a few pictures. We were even sent home with a hug and a brownie which made today, like, the best day ever.

Look at these hand-painted flowers and designs! Gorgeous!
Yes Barb...you! You're amazing!
Who says cakes have to be all traditional and flowery? I'm totally digging this cake! I didn't think it was possible to have anymore cake goodness in my day, but Jen then presented me with two pink frosted cupcakes from Heaven. Actually, they were from the new and fabulous Lil Miss Cupcake, whom Jen and Aletha visited with earlier today. Jen took some promotional pictures for her but was sweet enough to bring me some samples so that I, too, could enjoy them and help promote this fabulous new area vendor.

Here is one quick picture before I stuffed the entire thing in my mouth.
It was fabulous!

3.11.08 : : Hawaiian Trinket

I picked up this little blown glass sea turtle at a little artist's shop in the town where we vacationed in Kauai. I love the sea turtles that we see when we visit the islands and it was a way for me to take that home with me. The colors used on this one I thought were beautiful.

The best part about this particular shop was they would work right in front of you and I was able to see how quickly they could turn colored sticks of glass into complete works of art in a matter of minutes.

3.10.08 : : More Birds but a Prize!

Well I'm back to Michigan and back to winter pictures. I know I post a lot of bird pictures on this site, but I see them all day long and they catch my eye. I've also been unburying from being gone a week so stuck pretty close to home today. So to make today's post worth looking at, I'm holding a contest that if you can correctly identify each bird shown, you will win a most fabulous prize.

Good luck!

(you can either post your answers here or email me at amy@acarrollphotography.com)

One Week to Save!

This week is your chance to get in on my 2008 wedding pricing as next week my packages will be changing. So to sweeten the deal I'm also offering $150 off all of my current packages for those interested in booking for 2009 or the few dates I have available for 2008. This deal expires on Saturday, March 15.

Email me today at amy@acarrollphotography.com to set up your consultation!

3.8.08 : : Our First Ever Workshop!

Today Jen and I conducted our first ever workshop...a class for beginners wanting to learn more about the fabulousness of photography.

I am going to admit that I was completely nervous when I arrived at the studio Saturday morning. I'm also going to snitch on Jen and let you know that she was nervous too!

But once our energetic class started walking in my nerves gave way to excitement and the day was just as I had imagined!

There was a lot of hand's on learning with our two wonderful models who came to pose for us during the day.

Way to get into it Jenna! (Jenna was one of my brides from October. I love seeing my clients again!)

The day was so much fun and such a success that we have decided we will be offering more classes in the future! Since today's class filled up we will be offering another Beginner's Photography Workshop as well as adding a Flash/Lighting Class and possibly a Photoshop Class. Stay tuned!

March 4 - March 7 : : Hawaii Wrap-Up

Yes, I realized that it's been awhile since I've posted. Almost a week now to be exact and for that I do apologize. And no, I'm not dead or decided to stay on the island of Kauai as many have asked through email, Although the thought of staying did cross my mind a few dozen times. The $450,000 price tags on the small houses on the island cured that pretty quickly though.

So this is my wrap-up, a few of my 4000 pictures that I took for you to see. I'm still not fully back on Michigan time and I have to admit I'm a bit depressed as I sit here typing this while looking outside at the snowflakes falling.

Warning - there are a LOT of pictures ahead. Grab a glass of wine, or if you're reading this Monday morning, a nice hot cup of Kona coffee.
If you look behind these kayakers, you can see the large fin of a humpback whale. You can't imagine how envious I was at them! At the Spouting Horn Blow Hole

A beautiful black sand beach.

This tiny bird was on top of Kauai's grand canyon.

Lovin' the fish-eye

You're on top of the world Kenric!

We loved this mural painted on the Red Dirt Shirt store's wall.

See the mansion in this picture? I think I could live here comfortably.

Our last Hawaiian sunset.

This man was playing the mandolin as we were boarding our plane to come home. Sigh.

Jason, Dan and Angie and I took a day trip to Oahu on Tuesday to spend the day frolicking on Waikiki Beach and shopping. Really...what's a vacation without some shopping?!

The wonder twins.

I don't know these people but I was digging thier matching star shorts.

The famed Waikiki Beach with Diamond Head in the background.

I have no idea how that arrow got there.
A sunrise.
A sunset along the North Shore.


There is nothing more adorable than cute naked babies on the beach.


Doggy love.
Chickens love the beach too. And boys will be boys and will torment chickens on the beach with food.

There is nothing more romantic than standing on a Hawaiian beach. Carol and Kenric got caught up in the moment.

Hawaiian Monk Seals are one of the world's most endangered species. I felt extremely blessed to be able to see them in the wild.

The famed Nene Goose...Hawaii's official state bird.

A taro field. Taro is a root vegetable and is used for making poi. If you've never tasted poi before fear not. You aren't missing a terribly tasty treat.

The End. Mahalo.

3.2.08 : : Hawaii Day 4

Today was a pretty mellow day complete with strolls along the beach, jaunts into town and an afternoon spent at the beach catching waves on our boogie boards. And every day spent here so far I've met new and interesting people, cats, dogs, and today...a bird.

The above picture is probably one of my favorites that I've taken so far on this trip. It combines three things I love greatly...the beach, surfing, and a chihuahua! This little dog actually rode right on the surfboard and was making me miss my small chihuahu back at home. I wonder how Tanner would enjoy the ocean?

Birds like morning coffee and granola too.

Her name is Samantha and her favorite morning coffee spot is Hawaii's Java Kai. It's my favorite spot too.
Not only do chickens have the run of the island but so do the cats. This one rings up customers at this local Kauai store.
My new dog friend Ebony.
And just a few random shots.

Nothing says practical hiking and beach attire like sparkly pink sandels.

3.1.08 - Hawaii Day 3

Because I'm not completely accustomed to the 5 hour time difference here, I tend to wake up rather early. So early in fact, that I took a stroll down to the beach upon waking this morning to go out and see something truly rare in my life....a sunrise.

We also went kayaking this morning and if there is ever a good test for trust in a relationship, today was it. Kayaks are tippy and after a few threats to Jason about making sure I stayed dry and happy, we were on our way. We kayaked through the Wailua River, took a hike through a tropical rain forest to a 150 foot waterfall to have lunch upon the rocks and then back again. It was amazing, beautiful, and there were a few times I thought I was treking through Jurrasic Park with all of the overgrown foliage with the fact that it was mostly untouched by man. I wish I could share the experiece with my photos, but alas, because of the fact that I was traveling on a tippy kayak, I couldn't risk bringing my equipment with me. I did take a few with Jason's point-and-shoot camera, but it wasn't quite the same.

My footprints in the sand.

One of the many many wild cats on the island.




Walking through a small town I made Jason pose for a few pictures.


The posing continued through the day with Dan

2.29.08 - Hawaii Day 2

The Hawaiian life has been good to us so far and today we spent the morning playing tennis, walking along the ocean and exploring the cute little town by our condo. In the afternoon we headed over to the south side of the island to laze by the beach and do some boogie boarding. While we were there a large sea turtle came to beach nearby. It was an incredible experience to be able to see such an amazing creature so close!

I'm guessing this was an old sugar factory








And of course there were more chickens. Why so many chickens? The hurricane of 1992 here in the islands freed all of the cooped up chickens and with no natural predators, they run the island.