Finally,

A break from the Monday through Friday Schedule.  Although if you are like many people your daily lives don’t alter course for this yearly event.  I hope to encourage you as individuals to strive for some quiet quality time with your family this week.

I find myself making plans for projects left undone throughout the year that seem manageable during spring break.  I am forcing myself to remember that this is a great opportunity for my family to take a break and get away.  My husband teaches at a local college so leaving for the week is an option for us if we so choose.

So as a parent, business owner, wife, and all around busy woman (who isn’t 🙂 ) I challenge us all to take a break, relax and save out 2 days at the very minimum for ourselves before plunging into that project that needs doing.  Enjoy the sun, read a book, take a nap.  These are all things on my list that don’t get the attention they deserve on a regular basis.

So have a happy and safe spring break and check back often as we will have more tips for your family to capture some great spring break memories.

Amanda

Dear Friends, 

This year, I have the honor and pleasure of participating in MDA’s Outer Northeast Portland Lock-Up on April 8^th at Old Chicago to help “Jerry’s Kids®”. To reach my goal I need your help!

I’d like to include you or your company on my list of contributors who are helping me reach my goal. Your donation would help MDA continue the important fight against muscular dystrophy. Check out my web page by clicking on the link below. There you’ll find all kinds of information about MDA, and be able to make your tax-deductible donation on-line using your credit card.

MDA serves people in our community with neuromuscular disease by providing clinics, support groups, assistance with the purchase and repair of wheelchairs, braces and communication devices, and summer camp for kids. MDA also funds research grants to help find treatments and cures for some 43 neuromuscular diseases that affect people of all ages, right here in our community.

I sincerely hope that you’ll take the opportunity to support MDA. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail me.

On behalf of the families MDA serves, thank you!

Warmest Regards,

Amanda Campy

With the long summer days approaching I thought it would be good to give some helpful hints to all of you moms and dads out there who want to capture a great photograph of your children.

I find myself photographing my children on a daily basis and know that as other moms and even dads consider photographing their children, these basic tips may come in handy.

When you find yourself out on a sunny day, make it a point to photograph your children in a shady area. This will give you a nice quality of light as well as eliminate harsh shadows that cause anyone to squint.

Try not to place the sun directly behind or in front of your subject for a couple of reasons:

1. when the sun is behind your subject you often will get sun flare (when the sun shines into your lens) this is distracting to any photograph and hard if not impossible to eliminate post snap-shot.

2. When the sun is placed behind the photographer (you) it will cause those harsh shadows and squinting we discussed above.

Below is some information from a previous post I thought would be helpful.

Keep it fun.  Humor is a great icebreaker with children and most everyone else.

Nothing turns a child away faster than a persistent parent 🙂 and yet to get good photographs isn’t that what we must be?

When photographing your child make it fun. Give the children an opportunity to be the photographer, They love feeling important.

Try to pick a time of day when the children are well rested and have full tummies.

Every child loves a bit of encouragement.  In our house we use candy 🙂

Always have your camera handy.  I keep mine in my purse so it is always available.

Most of all keep it fun, fun, and more fun.  It is so easy to find ourselves frustrated to find that perfect picture opportunity slipping away.  Don’t push it, in 10 minutes another “perfect”  opportunity will arise.

Have fun and remember to get in on the fun. Being in our own photographs is something us parents often overlook. Remember 20 years from now our children will want to see what we looked like and we will finally appreciate how good we look now.

Our annual Bunny Shoot at the local Small World Learning Center went wonderful Yesterday!  The kids were wonderful as always and the wonderful Director Rhonda was a huge help getting the little one’s to laugh.

Here is a preview of the  photo shoot from the Learning Center. Enjoy and I look forward to seeing everyone at the studio event March 26, 27, and 28th.

Call or email me today to book your session. Times are limited and going fast so contact us today.   amanda@visualimpressions.org 503.320.3076

I am so excited about our upcoming Bunny Portrait event that I wanted to get everyone else excited to!

Here is one of my favorite photographs from last year. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do and be sure to book your session soon!

I look forward to working with everyone.