FINDING BEAUTY IN THE ORDINARY PHOTOGRAPHY
  • Home
  • About
    • Meet Amanda
    • Product Pricing
    • Gift Registry
    • What to Expect
    • Client Love
    • Referral Program
  • Birth
  • Bump & Baby
    • Stock the Closet - Maternity Gowns
    • Client Closet
  • Motherhood
  • Family
  • Blog
  • Contact Me
  • Shop | Fine Art

Blog

Alabama Gulf State Park | Gulf Shores Family Photographer

9/17/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
I have known the Moore family for years... in fact, I've known Mrs. Moore since we were toddlers! Therefore, you can imagine how happy I was to have the opportunity to capture their family portraits on the beach at the Gulf State Park when they came down for an Orange Beach, AL vacation.
The last time I saw these kiddos, that handsome young man was still a baby! Now he's old enough to request I not "photoshop" his hair, and that beautiful young lady is a teenager.
Picture
Of course, when having family pictures taken, a picture of JUST mom and dad is a must in my book! 
Picture
​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 
0 Comments

How to Take Better Pictures of Your Kids | Orange Beach Family Photographer

7/22/2018

0 Comments

 
Hi mama! I see you there, cell phone in hand taking pictures of your child(ren). This post is for you. Even though I still want you to book me for your next Pensacola family portrait session, I want YOU to be able to capture all of those great everyday moments of your kiddos lives!
​What follows are 6 of my best, quick tips on how to take better pictures of your kids.
Picture
1. Don't "say CHEESE" - Say "Pickles"
Close your eyes and picture the face your child makes when they say "cheese."
The picture on the left is the one my child makes - super squint-y eyes, forced "grin," (usually also includes a crazy crinkled nose), an obviously fake all around. 
​Now, have your child say "pickles." They'll think you're dumb. But they'll laugh.
True smile. No "cheese face."
​You're welcome
Picture
Picture
2. Get Low
Get down in the sand, dirt, water, floor, etc with your kid. Getting down on a child's level allows you (camera and all) to become a part of their fun.
​I have NEVER left a beach session covered in less sand than my little clients.
*If you started humming Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz when you read this title, we need to be friends in real life!
Picture
3. Have Them Interact
- with each other, with the environment, something
4. Use a Helper
Your helper is there to get the kids to look at you, wrangle the one who tends to wander, quickly brush stray hairs out of someone's eyes, etc. Their most important job is to be your spotter! Safety is my number one priority and anytime I'm at all worried, I have one (or both) of the parents "spot" their child. The picture below is a perfect example of "what actually happened" vs. the final image.
Picture
5. Change Up the Angle
You've gotten down on the ground with your kiddo. Now try taking a picture from above above your child looking down. This is a great way to showcase their face and their youth!
6. Let Them Be Kids
That one's pretty simple. Let them play, or get sandy, or dirty, or wet (or all of the above). If there's a tree, let them climb it - this is how you get genuine smiles!
Picture
And one last thing. make sure you end up in some of those pictures too!
0 Comments

Pensacola Family Portraits | Perdido Key Family Beach Photography

6/6/2018

0 Comments

 
Spring, Summer, and Fall you can usually find me, an hour before sunset, on a beach somewhere between Pensacola Beach or Navarre, FL and Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, AL. Family portrait sessions on the white sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast are a thing of tradition for many both local and vacationers alike. But there's something else I'd like for you to remember when you're envisioning the perfect family portrait session -
let the children play...
Picture

Towards the end of family and child, after I've taken all of the more "traditional" or posed pictures, I often ask my clients to consider allowing their kids to get a little sandy and wet. More times than not I'm met with a look of shock and hesitation.
And, I don't push it. If you're not into it, I get it. Your kids (and you) are in nice (coordinated) outfits that you've spent a lot of time and energy assembling, and here I am asking you to let them not only get super sandy but wet too!
But consider it.
Let your children walk away from this session remembering how much FUN it was! (You might find that it ends up being your favorite part of the session as well.)
Picture
These pictures are of my own kids - taken a few weeks ago. 
Did I want to load them back in my car all wet and sandy?
Nope.
Had I even thought to bring towels?
Also no. (mom fail)
But when they asked if they could go splash in the water, did I let them?
Heck YES! Without a moment's hesitation.
And they had a BLAST! They chased waves, and danced, and LAUGHED until long after the sun had already crossed below the horizon. And next time, I'll do it again.
At home that night, my back floorboard was full of sand, and my seats were damp. But, the floor can be vacuumed, the seats were dry by morning, and all 3 kids burst into my office before bed that night wanting to see their pictures!

WORTH IT

Picture
0 Comments

Orange Beach Family Photographer | Alabama Beach Portraits

4/26/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
This session started off unlike any other.
In the 7 years since starting this little business of mine, not once has the husband been the one to hire my services - until Matt. When Matt and his family booked their Orange Beach, AL spring break beach vacation, he asked his condo manager for a photographer referral. Happily for me, I was that referral. After 7 years of ONLY ever being booked by women, it was awesome to hear how excited Matt was, not only about their vacation, but about booking their family portrait session on our lovely gulf beaches! He had actually proposed to Stacy on our these very sands about 6 years ago and this was their first trip back as well as their first family pictures in a couple of years.
As always, I made sure to get pictures of the kids - those are the ones that will definitely end up on the living room wall! But I also think it's super important to get a picture of mom and dad by themselves. As a parent myself, non-selfie pictures of my husband and I are few and far between and I know my clients are in the same boat!
Picture
Picture
Once all of the more posed pictures are out of the way, I just let everyone explore a bit while I capture the interactions. That's my favorite way to wrap up family sessions - and usually the family's favorite part as well.
The next time you head to the northwest Florida or south Alabama Gulf Coast, don't forget to book your sunset beach portrait session!
0 Comments

Baby's First Year Photography Plans | Pensacola Baby Photographer

1/12/2018

0 Comments

 
A new year is upon us and I am so excited about what is to come with my little photography business! Everyday I hear parents (first time parents especially) wanting to make sure they're documenting baby's first year - capturing those precious milestones. And that's exactly what my "Watch Me Grow" baby plans were created to do! In order to provide Pensacola area parents affordable options to have baby's first year professional photographed, I've created 3 separate baby plans ranging from mommy's Maternity Portrait session through baby's 1 year/ cake smash pictures.
Oh, and did I mention that these sessions take place in your home or location of your choosing? No packing up baby and gear!
​I bring everything to you!
Picture
Watch Me Grow - Ultimate - Bump to Cake
Includes 6 sessions covering baby's 1st year plus $100 print credit for $1250 ($1500 value)
  • Maternity Portraits - 1 hour
  • Premium Newborn Portraits - 3 hours
  • 3 Month Portraits - 1 hour
  • 6 Month Portraits - 1 hour
  • 9 Month Portraits - 1 hour
  • 1 Year/ Cake Smash Portraits - 1 hour
Each individual session includes your choice of 10 edited, high-resolution images via digital download from that session as well as a print release and online image hosting. Additional images, prints, and canvases may be purchased from your full gallery.
Picture
Watch Me Grow - Milestones - Pick 4
Includes your choice of 4 sessions during baby's 1st year plus $50 print credit for $900 ($1075 value)
  • Maternity Portraits - 1 hour
  • Premium Newborn Portraits - 3 hours
  • Head Up (~4-5 months) - 1 hour
  • Sitting Pretty (~6-9 months) - 1 hour
  • Standing/1 Year/ Cake Smash Portraits - 1 hour
Each individual session includes your choice of 10 edited, high-resolution images via digital download from that session as well as a print release and online image hosting. Additional images, prints, and canvases may be purchased from your full gallery.
Picture
Watch Me Grow - Bump to Baby
Includes the following 2 sessions plus $50 print credit for $500 ($650 value)
  • Maternity Portraits - 1 hour
  • Premium Newborn Portraits - 3 hours
Each individual session includes your choice of 10 edited, high-resolution images via digital download from that session as well as a print release and online image hosting. Additional images, prints, and canvases may be purchased from your full gallery.
Pensacola area baby plans can be booked as early as you’d like. All that’s required is a signed contract and paid retainer fee (30% of the package price). Your due date goes on my calendar and that’s it! Maternity sessions are scheduled when mom is between 26 and 34 weeks (depending on how much you’re showing), and Milestone sessions (3, 6, and 9 months) are scheduled as we go along.
I also offer payment plans to help make capturing these fleeing moments of baby’s first year as do-able as possible. No one should miss out on having professional photography!
Picture
As a little added bonus, all Gulf Coast clients who book one of my "Watch Me Grow" baby plans before March 1st will receive 3 custom 3x3 mini accordion albums as a special gift!
0 Comments

Christmas Mini Sessions | Pensacola Beach & Orange Beach Family Photography

10/27/2017

1 Comment

 
Picture
It's that time of year again - Christmas Mini Portrait Session time!

This year, Finding Beauty in the Ordinary Photography will be offering Christmas Mini Sessions with limited dates, between October 29th and December 9th.
Finding Beauty in the Ordinary Photography's 2017 Christmas Mini Session Details:
​
20 - 30 minute - on location - session
3 digital images (your choice)
print release
online gallery
$125
*Pricing is for families of up to 6 persons. Additional persons are $15 each.
*Advertised price is for locations within 20 miles of zip code 32506. We are more than happy to travel to any location you desire for a nominal travel fee.

Picture
Locations within 20 miles of zip code 32506 include but are not limited to: Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key, Orange Beach, AL, Cantonment, Gulf Breeze, and Pensacola.
Picture
Not looking for Christmas-styled pictures? Our Christmas Mini Session is the perfect quick session to update your family portraits! Just let me know when booking that you don't need the Christmas setup.
Could this deal get any better?
Well, what if I told you there was a way you could earn additional digital images from your session?
Yep!
Referral Bonus!
Refer your friends to me. Each new client who books a Christmas Mini Session (or full session) and mentions that YOU referred them to me earns YOU an additional digital image from you session! (No limit!)
Picture
Are you ready to have the perfect family photo to make all of your family and friends jealous? ​
1 Comment

Milton, FL Photography | Family Portraits

8/22/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Though a bit of a drive, Carpenter's Park in Milton, FL is one of my favorite family portrait session locations. It has a little of everything I need for a great Northwest Florida photo shoot - water, a cute little bridge, pier, open grassy areas, and lots of natural shade.
The Montserrat family contacted me about taking their first pictures as a family of 3 and I was happy to oblige. Since dad is currently stationed at Whiting Field and they were looking for something outdoors and nearby, Carpenter's Park near downtown Milton was the perfect choice.
Picture
As a rule, travel within 25 miles of zip code 32506 is included in the session fee for all of my photography shoots. But, I'm more than happy to travel anywhere your heart desires for a nominal travel fee.
Taking advantage of my love of travel allows us to really pick the PERFECT location for your family portrait session, maternity session, or high school senior portrait session!
0 Comments

End of Summer Family Portrait Special | Pensacola Photography

8/20/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
School's back in session and summer is winding down here in the Pensacola area. That means it's time for an End of Summer Family Portrait Session Special!
August & September dates are available and include the following:
20 minute family portrait session in Pensacola or Perdido Key, FL
up to 6 people
4 high-resolution digital images
$150

​Only 6 sessions are available at this special price!

*A 50% retainer fee and signed contract are required to book
​
 *additional people can be added for $10/ person
*additional high-resolution digital images can be purchased for $15/ image

Picture
email or call to book
findingbeautyintheordinary.129@gmail.com   |   251.609.4826
0 Comments

Gulf Shores, AL Family Photography | Alabama Gulf State Park

8/7/2017

2 Comments

 
Picture
This late evening family portrait session at the Alabama Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion was so much fun - and a work out!

As much as parents want Gulf Shores family pictures taken, it's often a stressful event when your children are still young (and sometimes through their teenage years). I always tell parents to try to not worry too much; I'll get the pictures they want.
Picture
Picture
With new clients, most of the time, the start of your session is our first time meeting. With adults, that's no big deal, but with children that's a whole other thing. So, one of the first things I have to do is get the children used to me. You may think I'm babbling, but by chatting with you in front of them, they're learning that you accept me and think I'm ok, so then they'll realize I'm not a threat or anything to worry about.
Often times I'll also get your children to play with me, have them search for the perfect Alabama gulf coast seashell, or get them to "help" me make sure mommy and daddy look right at me for a picture. I find that getting them involved in the family portrait photography process makes them more likely to cooperate when it's time for their beach pictures.
Did you catch that? I ALWAYS try to get at least one good picture of just mom and dad.
I think, as parents, we need those pictures with our significant other!
Picture
2 Comments

1 Year Cake Smash Session | Pace, FL Photography

8/6/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture

​​I cannot say it enough, I LOVE getting to asked to photograph milestones for my newborn clients! It's so special getting to capture "my" babies growing up.
Picture

​
​Not only was I blessed to photograph Mason's Pensacola Newborn portrait session, but I also photographed his gender reveal.

Picture
Since 1 year/ Cake Smash sessions are for up to 1 hour of coverage, often times we start with a few family portraits, then move on to individuals of the birthday boy or girl, and end with the cake smash portion. This allows the parents to have a lot of variety of pictures.
Just like Newborn sessions, I bring the entire shoot to the client's home or location of their choosing within south Alabama and Northwest Florida.
Mason's parents decided to have his 1 year portraits taken at a nearby park on Escambia Bay. We started with some super cute 1 year pictures by the water and then he had a wardrobe change for his cake smash.
Picture
0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

    Author

    Amanda is the prop buying, location scouting, mom-bun rocking, flip flop wearing, owner/ operator/ and woman behind the camera for Finding Beauty in the Ordinary Photography. 

    Categories

    All
    12 Months Portaits/ Cake Smash
    Birth Photography
    Bridal Portraits
    Child Portraits
    Christmas Portraits
    Engagement Portraits
    Exploring The Gulf Coast
    Family Portraits
    Maternity Portraits
    Milestone Portraits
    Miscellaneous
    Motherhood
    Nature Photography
    Newborn Portraits
    Photography Education
    Portrait Tips
    Senior Portraits
    Wedding Photography

    Archives

    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    October 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

We proudly provide
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..
Picture
Picture
Picture
  • Home
  • About
    • Meet Amanda
    • Product Pricing
    • Gift Registry
    • What to Expect
    • Client Love
    • Referral Program
  • Birth
  • Bump & Baby
    • Stock the Closet - Maternity Gowns
    • Client Closet
  • Motherhood
  • Family
  • Blog
  • Contact Me
  • Shop | Fine Art