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If you're looking for a family getaway this summer that's an easy drive and has tons of fun things to do, Huntsville, AL is the place to go! Having grown up just 30 minutes west of Huntsville, it also holds a special place in my heart with both a link to childhood memories and home to much of my extended family.  Cathedral Caverns State Park in Woodville, AL The high-tech city of Huntsville, which sprawls at the foot of a mountain in North Alabama, is equally at home in the 19th century or the 21st. Huntsville's tourist attractions reflect the heritage of Alabama's first English-speaking city, the strife of the American Civil War and the accomplishments of America's rocket scientists. My kiddos are true Floridians, born and raised so our favorite things to do when we head back "home" to north Alabama each summer is to explore the great outdoors! These kids are used to beaches, trees that are brown by the end of summer, and flat, flat land. The lush green foliage covered foothill mountains along with their cave systems and hiking trails are a literal breath of fresh air to us. This past summer, I decided it was time to check another item off of my personal bucket list, so we headed about 30 minutes east of Huntsville to Cathedral Caverns State Park. Originally called Bat Cave, Cathedral Caverns was opened to the public by Jacob Gurley in the 1950's. The cave was renamed because of its cathedral-like appearance. Purchased by the state in 1987, it was opened as a State Park in the summer of 2000. The first feature most people notice about Cathedral Caverns is its massive entrance. The huge opening measures 126 feet wide and 25 feet high, a possible world record for commercial caves. The grand entrance is only the beginning. Inside the cavern are some of the most beautiful formations Mother Nature has ever created including “Goliath”- one of the largest stalagmites in the world measuring 45 feet tall and 243 feet in circumference.     Inside the cavern are some of the most beautiful formations Mother Nature has ever created including “Goliath”- one of the largest stalagmites in the world measuring 45 feet tall and 243 feet in circumference. Cathedral Caverns features many amazing sites: a "frozen" waterfall, a large stalagmite forest and a most improbable stone formation - a stalagmite that is 27 feet tall and 3 inches wide!  One of the many great things about this tour was the year-round 60° temperature of the cave (which felt amazing on a hot July day). This 60-90 minute tour took us on a 1.5 mile round-trip walk to the end of the paved walkway and back. The paved walkway also means this cave is even wheelchair accessible!
If a trip to north Alabama or south Tennessee are in your plans, I highly recommend a visit to the caverns! My crew included myself, my 13 year-old, 11 year-old, and 4 year-old, and this was an easy adventure for all 4 of us that we ALL greatly enjoyed!
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   For the past year, I've been adding maternity gowns in a variety of colors and styles to my Client Closet. I want to provide Pensacola, Orange Beach, and surrounding areas the opportunity to have the perfect dress to show off the beauty of their pregnancy!  Not only do these beautiful gowns fit a wide variety of body sizes and shapes ( I have dresses that fit sizes 4 - 24), they're just plain comfortable to wear! I've received SUCH positive reviews that I'm looking to add more dresses in more sizes, styles, and colors so that every mom has the opportunity to be photographed in the dress that perfectly suits her. Introducing Stock the Closet - Maternity Portrait Sessions.
This is an amazing new program that benefits both the client and the photographer! I have a Wish List of fabulous, affordable Maternity Gowns that I would love to add to my collection. How does that benefit you? I'm glad you asked! Click here to see the dresses on my Wish List. Order the gown from my list that perfectly suits you. Wear that gown during your Pensacola, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, etc Maternity Photography session with me, and afterwards, turn it and the receipt in to me for credit towards your session fee! Any questions?  Another amazing thing about many of these dresses (especially the 3 pictured below - available mid-July) is that they also make a stunning addition to your Newborn Photography, Family Photography, or Breastfeeding photography session!    Finding Beauty in the Ordinary Photography offers Maternity Photography in northwest Florida that captures your family’s connections, emotions, and moments in a fun, natural way. Located in Pensacola and also offering family, newborn, and birth photography, service areas include but are not limited to Perdido Key, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach, Navarre, Pace, Milton, and Cantonment in Florida and Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Foley, Fairhope, and Daphne in south Alabama. Family portrait sessions tend to book up to one month in advance, while maternity, birth, and newborn sessions should be booked early in the second trimester to ensure availability at the time of delivery. Amanda offers a full service experience including a pre-session consultation, exclusive access to her Maternity and Newborn wardrobe, an online proofing gallery to share and download your included high-resolution digital images, and an array of professional print, canvas, and album options. I can’t wait to hear from you and help create your own beautiful heirloom memories!
Pensacola Photographer | Pensacola Family Photographer | Northwest Florida Photographer | Pensacola Newborn Photographer| Gulf Shores Newborn Photographer |Pensacola Maternity Photographer | Pensacola Newborn Photography | Gulf Shores Maternity Photographer| Pensacola Birth Photographer | Pensacola Birth Photography| Orange Beach Family Photographer  "As for my girls, I'll raise them to think they breathe fire." ~ Jessica Kirkland    These sweet girls braved a chilly afternoon at the beach with me to get their mama some much anticipated, updated pictures! Our children grow up so fast that we have to grab a few minutes whenever we can to capture this moment in time.  By the way, I've gotta take a minute to say that I LOVED big sister's combat boots in these pictures! The little girls wanted bare feet, but big sis wanted to keep her super cool shoes on (who could blame her) and and LOVE that mom agreed! I'm all about letting your kids express a bit of their individuality in pictures - these girls even got to pick out their own necklaces to wear.     Finding Beauty in the Ordinary Photography offers Family Photography in northwest Florida that captures your family’s connections, emotions, and moments in a fun, natural way. Located in Pensacola and also offering maternity, newborn, and birth photography, service areas include but are not limited to Perdido Key, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach, Navarre, Pace, Milton, and Cantonment in Florida and Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Foley, Fairhope, and Daphne in south Alabama. Family portrait sessions tend to book up to one month in advance, while maternity, birth, and newborn sessions should be booked early in the second trimester to ensure availability at the time of delivery. Amanda offers a full service experience including a pre-session consultation, exclusive access to her Maternity and Newborn wardrobe, an online proofing gallery to share and download your included high-resolution digital images, and an array of professional print, canvas, and album options. I can’t wait to hear from you and help create your own beautiful heirloom memories!
Pensacola Photographer | Pensacola Family Photographer | Northwest Florida Photographer | Pensacola Newborn Photographer| Gulf Shores Newborn Photographer |Pensacola Maternity Photographer | Pensacola Newborn Photography | Gulf Shores Maternity Photographer| Pensacola Birth Photographer | Pensacola Birth Photography| Orange Beach Family Photographer  We could not have asked for a more perfect northwest Florida fall day for this client's Tarklin Bayou State Park Maternity portrait session! The fading sunlight filtering through the trees only enhanced this mama's own goddess-like glow.    Daddy was a bit nervous in front of the camera, but mama rocked that beautiful baby belly.     If you're looking for a Maternity photographer who captures not only the beauty of your pregnant body but also the connect between you and your significant other, Finding Beauty in the Ordinary Photography is your northwest Florida or south Alabama photographer! I capture your growing family’s connections, emotions, and moments in a fun, natural way. Located in Pensacola and also offering family, newborn, and birth photography, service areas include but are not limited to Perdido Key, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach, Navarre, Pace, Milton, and Cantonment in Florida and Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Foley, Fairhope, and Daphne in south Alabama.
Amanda offers a full service experience including exclusive access to her Maternity and Newborn wardrobe, an online proofing gallery to share and download your included high-resolution digital images, and an array of professional print, canvas, and album options. I can’t wait to hear from you and help create your own beautiful heirloom memories! Pensacola Photographer | Pensacola Newborn Photographer | Gulf Shores Newborn Photographer |Pensacola Maternity Photography | Pensacola Newborn Photography | Gulf Shores Maternity Photographer | Pensacola Birth Photographer | Pensacola Birth Photography | Orange Beach Maternity Photographer The majority of my Pensacola and Orange Beach clients know exactly where they want their family pictures taken - the beach, a park, or downtown Pensacola. But there are some who want something a little out of the ordinary, a little off the beaten path. Whether you are looking for a classic location for your Pensacola family photography or if you'd like something a bit more unique, I guarantee I can find the perfect spot for your session.   This family wasn't interested in the more typical family beach photos. This family wanted something a little special. This past summer, mom, Jessica and I had taken our kiddos to see Bamahenge and the Dinosaurs in the Woods about 25 minutes west of Pensacola. While we were brainstorming out-of-the-box ideas for their family portrait session, Jessica asked if I'd ever done a session at Bamahenge and if it would work. Until then, I hadn't even considered doing a family session there, but I LOVED it! And so our plan began.  Mark Cline says that the idea for Bamahenge came from George Barber, an Alabama billionaire - and owner of Barber's Marina in Elberta, Alabama. Barber had some Mark Cline dinosaurs on one of his properties, and while Mark was repairing hurricane damage to the creatures in 2006, Barber "took me aside," Mark recalled, "and whispered in my ear, 'Stonehenge'."    Bamahenge was such a unique location for this fun family's portrait session!  The late afternoon sun gave us the most lovely light and the woods surrounding us were absolutely beautiful.      So never fear, whether you're looking for a more classic location or something off-the-beaten-path, I've got you! Finding Beauty in the Ordinary Photography offers Family Photography in northwest Florida that captures your family’s connections, emotions, and moments in a fun, natural way. Located in Pensacola and also offering maternity, newborn, and birth photography, service areas include but are not limited to Perdido Key, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach, Navarre, Pace, Milton, and Cantonment in Florida and Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Foley, Fairhope, and Daphne in south Alabama. Family portrait sessions tend to book up to one month in advance, while maternity, birth, and newborn sessions should be booked early in the second trimester to ensure availability at the time of delivery. Amanda offers a full service experience including a pre-session consultation, exclusive access to her Maternity and Newborn wardrobe, an online proofing gallery to share and download your included high-resolution digital images, and an array of professional print, canvas, and album options. I can’t wait to hear from you and help create your own beautiful heirloom memories!
Pensacola Photographer | Pensacola Family Photographer | Northwest Florida Photographer | Pensacola Newborn Photographer| Gulf Shores Newborn Photographer |Pensacola Maternity Photographer | Pensacola Newborn Photography | Gulf Shores Maternity Photographer| Pensacola Birth Photographer | Pensacola Birth Photography| Orange Beach Family Photographer Baby Plans and Birth Photography are my two favorite things to photograph. With Birth Photography I get to share a tiny part of the most important day of someone's life. And with Baby Plans I get to follow my clients from mom's Maternity Photography session, to baby's Premium Newborn Photography session, through a couple of milestone sessions, and wrap up the year documenting a Cake Smash and 12-month photography session!      Ben's Watch Me Grow Baby Plan started when his mommy's Maternity Session at 26 weeks and continued with his Premium Newborn Portrait session about 3 months later. I photographed their Maternity session one late December evening on the dock in their neighborhood with a beautiful Pensacola sunset behind them. Ben's Newborn session took place in their home. I love being able to photograph in my client's homes. Everyone is more comfortable as no one has to pack up a 10-day-old baby and travel! Plus, I'm able to take pictures in the rooms they'll soon be hanging!  Ben's 4-month Milestone Photography session took place on the little bay-side beach in their lovely neighborhood. We were pushing bedtime that July evening and when he just couldn't hang anymore, I kept shooting and these are some of my favorite photographs out of all of their sessions!       Mom and dad requested Johnson's Beach (a part of the National Seashore) for Ben's 7-month Milestone Portrait session. Since this session took place in October, mom provided some super cute pumpkins for a few of the pictures.     We wrapped up Ben's first year where it all began - on the neighborhood bay-side beach. 
Finally, we headed back inside for Ben's Mickey Mouse themed Cake Smash!      As far as I'm concerned, EVERY cake smash session should wrap up with a couple of photographs of baby in a tub getting cleaned up! And these clients have the most gorgeous bathtub I've ever seen! This is like bathtub goals for me. :)    If you're expecting, call me and let's pick the best Watch Me Grow Baby Plan for you! Finding Beauty in the Ordinary Photography offers Newborn Photography in northwest Florida that is timeless. Located in Pensacola and also offering maternity, family, and birth photography, service areas include but are not limited to Perdido Key, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach, Navarre, Pace, Milton, and Cantonment in Florida and Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Foley, Fairhope, and Daphne in south Alabama. Portrait sessions tend to book up to one month in advance, while maternity, birth, and newborn sessions should be booked early in the second trimester to ensure availability at the time of delivery. Amanda offers a high-end, full service experience including a pre-session consultation, exclusive access to her Maternity and Newborn wardrobe, an online proofing gallery to share and download your included high-resolution digital images, and an array of professional print, canvas, and album options. I can’t wait to hear from you and help create your own beautiful heirloom memories!
Pensacola Photographer | Pensacola Family Photographer | Northwest Florida Photographer | Pensacola Newborn Photographer| Gulf Shores Newborn Photographer |Pensacola Maternity Photographer | Pensacola Newborn Photography | Gulf Shores Maternity Photographer| Pensacola Birth Photographer | Pensacola Birth Photography| Orange Beach Family Photographer  It was a beautiful January day when I had the pleasure of photographing 24-day-old Walter. Though 3 weeks old, Walter was still only around 8 pounds as he'd decided to surprise his parents by arriving a bit earlier than expected, and he'd only been home from the hospital a few days before I met him at his Newborn photography session.    Walter was the sweetest little boy who was happy to snuggle into every pose for me!    Even though newborn pictures are "typically" taken before 14-days-old, as far as I'm concerned, that's a guideline NOT a rule! I'll happily work with an older newborn any day!  Finding Beauty in the Ordinary Photography offers Newborn Photography in northwest Florida that is timeless. Located in Pensacola and also offering maternity, family, and birth photography, service areas include but are not limited to Perdido Key, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach, Navarre, Pace, Milton, and Cantonment in Florida and Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Foley, Fairhope, and Daphne in south Alabama. Portrait sessions tend to book up to one month in advance, while maternity, birth, and newborn sessions should be booked early in the second trimester to ensure availability at the time of delivery. Amanda offers a high-end, full service experience including a pre-session consultation, exclusive access to her Maternity and Newborn wardrobe, an online proofing gallery to share and download your included high-resolution digital images, and an array of professional print, canvas, and album options. I can’t wait to hear from you and help create your own beautiful heirloom memories!
Pensacola Photographer | Pensacola Family Photographer | Northwest Florida Photographer | Pensacola Newborn Photographer| Gulf Shores Newborn Photographer |Pensacola Maternity Photographer | Pensacola Newborn Photography | Gulf Shores Maternity Photographer| Pensacola Birth Photographer | Pensacola Birth Photography| Orange Beach Family Photographer Did you know that I offer professional business headshots? I do! I can bring everything to your office for a simple, clean background, or we can meet somewhere around town for a headshot portrait that really shows off your personality!        If you're interested in a headshot just for you, I'm available for that as well. You can even come to my house to make it quick and easy!    The Williams family wanted something different for their three-generation family portrait session. This was their first family vacation with the new grand baby, and their first family vacation to Orange Beach. Mom/ Grandma, Christy, wanted a laid-back family photography session that focused on her daughter's new family, and her relationship with her children, son-in-law, and new granddaughter.  We headed over to Alabama Point in Orange Beach, AL just before sunset, I threw my favorite quilt in the sand, and then I just stepped back and let the magic happen!          Finding Beauty in the Ordinary Photography offers Family Photography in northwest Florida that captures your family’s connections, emotions, and moments in a fun, natural way. Located in Pensacola and also offering maternity, newborn, and birth photography, service areas include but are not limited to Perdido Key, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach, Navarre, Pace, Milton, and Cantonment in Florida and Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Foley, Fairhope, and Daphne in south Alabama. Family portrait sessions tend to book up to one month in advance, while maternity, birth, and newborn sessions should be booked early in the second trimester to ensure availability at the time of delivery. Amanda offers a full service experience including a pre-session consultation, exclusive access to her Maternity and Newborn wardrobe, an online proofing gallery to share and download your included high-resolution digital images, and an array of professional print, canvas, and album options. I can’t wait to hear from you and help create your own beautiful heirloom memories!
Pensacola Photographer | Pensacola Family Photographer | Northwest Florida Photographer | Pensacola Newborn Photographer| Gulf Shores Newborn Photographer |Pensacola Maternity Photographer | Pensacola Newborn Photography | Gulf Shores Maternity Photographer| Pensacola Birth Photographer | Pensacola Birth Photography| Orange Beach Family Photographer When expecting parents begin researching hiring a birth photographer they're often hit with a bit of sticker shock. A bit of "does it really cost that much?" The short answer is yes, it does. Most people understand that we are on call 24/7 for potentially 4+ weeks for each birth and then there's time to edit the photos themselves. My on call time starts when the mom reaches 38 weeks gestation, and then I remain on call until baby is born - sometimes at 42+ weeks. For a mother carrying multiples, my on call would start earlier, at 36 or 37 weeks depending on how her pregnancy is progressing.  What a lot of people don't understand is exactly what being on call means - what birth workers (not just photographers, but doulas and midwives) give up by going on call. So, I thought it'd be fun to write a little blog about it. I asked a large birth photographer community that I'm a part of as well as some of my favorite doulas with Belly to Cradle, LLC the following question: "What are some of the weird things you (as a birth professional) have to consider when you go on call for a birth?" Here are their answers.
   Got my pedicure and my hair done earlier this week because my on-call starts today. Oh, and that's a pic of me headed INTO the hospital at 10:15pm. Baby was born a little after midnight.
I'll ask you, how much would you charge to potentially miss your kid's first soccer game, VPK graduation, or Thanksgiving dinner?    There's one more thing you should know though - it's worth it! I'd photograph births every day to witness and capture these moments! Making the decision to offer birth photography services in Pensacola, Crestview, Foley, and Fairhope is one of the BEST decisions I've ever made in my life! Every photographer and doula I spoke with wouldn't change a thing. We photograph births, we support mothers, we hold space because it's what we LOVE and because it's important. Everything we risk missing is worth everything we are allowed to witness! Finding Beauty in the Ordinary Photography offers Birth Photography in northwest Florida that is timeless and unforgettable. Located in Pensacola and also offering maternity, family, and newborn photography, service areas include but are not limited to Perdido Key, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach, Navarre, Pace, Milton, Cantonment, and Crestview in Florida and Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Foley, Fairhope, and Daphne in Alabama. Maternity, birth, and newborn photography sessions should be booked early in the second trimester to ensure availability at the time of delivery. Amanda offers a high-end, full service experience including a pre-session consultation, exclusive access to her Maternity and Newborn wardrobe, an online proofing gallery to share and download your included high-resolution digital images, and an array of professional print, canvas, and album options. I can’t wait to hear from you and help create your own beautiful heirloom memories!
Pensacola Photographer | Pensacola Family Photographer | Northwest Florida Photographer | Pensacola Newborn Photographer| Gulf Shores Newborn Photographer |Pensacola Maternity Photographer | Pensacola Newborn Photography | Gulf Shores Maternity Photographer| Pensacola Birth Photographer | Pensacola Birth Photography| Orange Beach Family Photographer |
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Family Photography, Newborn Photography, Maternity photography, and Birth photography in Pensacola, Cantonment, Perdido Key, Pace, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, Crestview, and Pensacola Beach, Florida and Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Foley, Elberta, Fairhope, Daphne, and Spanish Fort, Alabama.. |
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