elodie jo | newborn

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Oh hey there! Checking in here on the blog for a big family update 😊

A+J got engaged at the end of 2021, and we were able to execute their engagement photo session within those those first couple of weeks! Even in the cold, engagement photos are always a GOOD idea!! Let’s roll it back. Their story is one I don’t think we hear very often these days, and it’s real good. They met + got acquainted via handwritten letters, while J was away at boot camp. One of A’s friends encouraged J to take a chance, and over weeks + months they continued the conversation on instagram and eventually over the phone. When they finally got to meet in person, they knew they wanted to keep pursuing valuable time together! And here they are now, planning to marry ☺️ Being asked to photograph their engagement and eventually their wedding is an incredible honor. You’ll be seeing more of them, no doubt! Stay warm! xo, amanda kay

You guys. 2020 came and went and I published a total of four whole blog posts, all before May, and then went straight up silent. (I did stay current on instagram — check that out here if you’re interested.) It’s safe to say this global pandemic has taken a toll on my motivation to blog. I am grateful, however, that this does not mean I wasn’t out there capturing you all— I certainly was, more than any other year! I am back here to say, wow, where did the time go? and also, I still have pretty pictures to share and really want to share them with you! This session is one of my absolute favorite newborn sessions as of late. You will quickly see that the O’Donnel’s home was the ideal backdrop for crisp, bright, beautiful photographs. Truthfully, it was a photographers dream! Enjoy this precious family and let me know what you think!  xo, amanda kay

Last week I met Harbour; she is the sweetest addition to her family, whom I met in July for their maternity+family session. I love meeting new babies in their home surrounded by their loved ones. I love witnessing parents in their first couple of days or weeks as they adjust to this new human in their arms and in their hearts. And I’m honored to be trusted to capture it. Do you have photographs from when your baby was just born? I have very few with me in them, but the ones I do have, I cherish. I don’t want to forget that version of me, or them. I want to remember the feeling of holding the little human who I labored over to get into this world, healing me with every snuggle and coo. I want to remember that new version of me who was so drastically different than just days before, when I hadn’t yet met this tiny life. I hope you enjoy this little snippet of the Arntson’s new normal captured in these photographs! xo amanda

Last fall, the Azoni family invited me into their home for a lifestyle family session. It was so precious to document them in their space. Because of the comfort of their own home, the girls were able to quickly warm up to me and we ended up having a blast. I wanted to share this session because I believe that one day in the future, this type of work will be possible again. Amidst a global pandemic that is honestly making this concept seem foreign, I choose to look back at this sweet time in these photos while looking forward and believing more of that is to come. I miss you, friends. All of you. You’ll also see we ventured outside, in the snow, for a few shots too (It is also currently snowing, today, in April, so…there’s that.).  Stay safe, stay home, and see you soon, friends. xo amanda

In an effort to keep things pretty and positive over here at a.k.wyse photo+design, I’m going to use some of my time off from sessions to bring to you all blog posts from recent sessions. First, coming at you on his 2nd birthday, is Jax’s milestone / mommy+me session that we thankfully got in before his birthday and before the shutdown. Isn’t he such a cool little dude?!  Tell me, how are you holding up, friends?

When Vanessa invited me to capture her birth, I was counting down the days till that babe was born. Being part of such an intimate occasion was such an honor! On that winter afternoon, she let me know when she was pretty certain labor pains had begun. It was only a mere 4 hours later that Augustine arrived! All 9 pounds 4 ounces of him! It was such a whirlwind and I’m so impressed with the female body. Vanessa, you are a warrior. I’m so proud of you!  Vanessa was kind enough to write a testimonial: “I am so thankful to Amanda for being present at Auggie’s birth, one of life’s most precious moments. After my births, since my brain is usually in a fog along with sleepless nights and visitors, I can sort of lose the memories. These photos capture the intensity and emotion of such a sacred moment. I'm able to look back at these photos in such awe and emotion, especially as I write my birth story and begin to remember details that I couldn't have without the pictures. This is my last baby and I only wish I could've had such a beautiful and detailed memory as I do now with Auggie’s photos. For this, I am forever thankful. Thank you for the gorgeous photos Amanda! Thanks for shooting Auggies birth announcement, maternity photos, birth & newborn photos (what a journey). Thanks for having mimosas ready for two sleepy parents as we came with our troops for family photos ;) you're the best!” Thank you to this family for letting me capture such a special occasion, and for being gracious enough to encourage me to share it here!

Meet Sloane! She’s well over a month old now, but I had the pleasure of meeting her after her first week of being born! She was so sleepy, which honestly, has been rare for my newborns these days. It was so precious to capture her peaceful self during her session. I was invited to document Maureen and Nate’s journey in pregnancy and then once baby arrived— this, friends, is my favorite. I love being able to capture your story along the way! Thanks for inviting me in! xo amanda