AMP Model Winner : Seattle Shoot Out : Amanda Mae Photography

Hey everyone!

So, super congrats again to my amazing 2013 AMP Model Winner, Bailey Toupin, from Snohomish High School! So proud to see her journey in her life begin to happen as she prepares for college and all that is to come!

Because she was our winner, we had set up a major HUGE Shoot in Seattle with our photog friends! Inspired by spring, the cutest little pup, and with the help of some awesome photographers, it was so great to be able to give Bailey this amazing experience, we even had her bring her friend, Paige, along as well!

Ultimately, Bailey was in the middle of the streets of Seattle, working it, working the cold breeze and being the center of attention to several photographers and all of the tourists' interest lol. I can't wait to see whats in store for our 2014 AMP Models, because I'm planning something HUGE!! SO EXCITED!....enough chit chat, here are some fun pics and check out the video to see what Ms. Bailey was able to experience because of her hard work at workin' her AMP Model Status!!!

x's and o's,

Amanda

Me, Her, YOU : Amanda Mae Photography Snohomish Washington Senior Photographer

"Every little girl should be told they're pretty..."

- Marilyn Monroe

We are all our own person, our own style and perfectly unique. We all want to be pretty, feel pretty and be gorgeous and thats what connects us all. Me, her, you.......gorgeous.

Simply Pretty : Amanda Mae Photography Washington Senior Photographer

Welcome to Simply Pretty!

Im so happy that I was finally able to finish up these gorgeous images I took awhile back. I wanted to give a little back story on how and why I came up with Simply Pretty.

Sometimes we run into maybe a rut, or someone said some things about you, or you just arent feelin' like yourself; never the less in those times I usually tend to become introvert and consistently check myself and even at times speak harsh to myself about "what I did, what I didnt do, what I could've done better" and it goes on and on. Lately, I've decided that I am no longer listening to that ugly little voice that always some how tries to be little me (no pun intended because IM SHORT! lol). And through that Simply Pretty was born.

Several weeks ago, I was, I guess what you would call "in a rut". Every where that I had turned to find some sort of "self confidence" (cause yes, Im almost 30 and I still deal with having self confidence lol), I was trying to find confidence or validation in myself by the things I did, I said and what other's thought about me. Was I good?! Am I good? Do they like me?! lol and It seemed to be attacking me from all sides, my personal life, with my dad, questions about being a good mommy, from myself not stepping into that place where I was with Him.....I felt the only way I was able to find confidence in myself was in my photography and then it hit, like a ton of bricks, my photography was being attacked as well. Though I knew those words didnt matter, though I addressed said situation, that was just the cherry on top of my hurting/self confidence issues/need to lose weight/all the things you could possibly say to yourself to drag yourself down ICE CREAM (yes I would use Ice Cream because Im starving for some sugar DANG IT!). It was like that one last line of defense I had to where I could find some sort of validation and confidence in myself was my photography and that didnt even stand a chance.

It wasnt until I really opened my eyes or rather He open my eyes to see that I was seriously and slowly becoming numb to Him. It took every part of where I valid and put my self worth to realize that, my self worth doesnt lie in what I do, how I talk, what I say, how I look or what other people think about me; but rather where my heart is, how I keep my promises, how I love and generally letting go, which is so freakin' hard to do sometimes because lets face it, I know Im not the only one that wants to retaliate sometimes lol. I was seriously becoming a zombie and it felt like my joy was slowly rotting away from the lifeless eyes that I was beginning to have fog over. And YES IM A WALKING DEAD FAN! lol....DARYL. I LOVE YOU! Anyway....

 I just felt like I needed to do something. I needed to bring some sort of refreshness to me, even to my photography. I decided I wanted to do something that I felt pretty, because I'll be honest, I haven't felt pretty, I wasnt feeling pretty and I didn't think I was pretty (sometimes I still get that way).  I wanted to capture a picture that you would just say "thats just really pretty!". If I could'nt feel it then by george I was ganna create it!

If I can encourage you.....GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK! lol Seriously, I think that we are so awful to ourselves sometimes lol. From harsh words rolling over and over in our heads to consistently telling ourselves we are fat and yes I did that today but whatever! lol. I just want to say that our words really do bring life and take it; so why not speak amazing things about yourself to yourself. You are so worth it! There was a song that was my anthem in some of my "single days" lol and it is just two words "WORTH IT" Its ganna be worth it all. And as I tell you, I tell myself, sometimes life isnt pretty but that doesnt mean we aren't pretty.

I dont know where Im going or what Im going to be doing or how I'll get there; but one thing is for sure....He is allowing me this amazing opportunity to do what I love, and that is something that I'm totally thankful for. I know that through everything I've been through, He sees me as me and who He created me to be and thats....Simply Pretty.

Just A Visit : Amanda Mae Photography Washington Photographer

Hello!

I am just too excited to share this post with everyone. Yesterday was such a busy day for me of running around going here and there. I found myself at one of my AMP Models Homes yesterday. The Hernandez Family! As we were putting somethings in the plan and action for a big shoot coming at the end of this month, I could NOT help myself but snap a few of their lovely herd lol.

Meet Seren, short for Serendipity, she is so stunning and as gorgeous as she is, she is the sweetest every. She even came over to me to taste my camera to make sure it wasnt anything sweetly delicious lol. I also got a few of one of their other Equines, which was their gelding, a sweet boy that just wanted the delicious grass and could care less about a chubby girl and her camera lol.

Robin and I chit chatted away as I snapped away. When we were done, we (cause the hubs was with me), headed back to the car and the fog had rolled in and it was just stunning. So of course I ran to the car, almost tripping cause Im a dork lol, and grabbed my camera to get a few of Miss Seren having an evening graze.

Over all it was just gorgeous and I just had to share......stay tuned because we've got some amazing things about to happen here at AMP!

xoxo,

Amanda

Simply Pretty I : Amanda Mae Photography Snohomish Senior Photographer

Hello everyone and happy wens!

I just wanted to share a little bit of what I am currently working on....Simply Pretty!! Here is a little sneek peek of what is coming up on the blog in the next couple of weeks! We will have this amazing shoot inspired by all things pretty and with the inspiration as of why Simply Pretty is and came to be lol.

For now, enjoy this little sunshine!
xoxo,

Amanda

STYLES : Bohemian Chic

Hey everyone!

Its been like forever since I posted a Style Idea and Tips, but I was so inspired by this fun little quiz I did that I had to just share my apparently personal style lol.

I took a fun quiz that just asks silly little questions that helps to identify your style and apparently mine said this :

So, I just played around with some fun spring colors, since in celebration of it being on it's way. I love coral and I love teal and according to my quiz lol it said I love patterns too and I guess I do! lol.

Bring your own personal style to your shoot by incorporating your favorite things in your wardrobe! Weather its a sentimental keepsake or a fun scarf you got when you were down in Guatemala ;), you can be sure adding you to your style and your portraits is fun, super cute and will totally add such a dimension to your pics!

So style away ladies and lets get shoppin'! ;)

xoxo