AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge ~ Week 31

Oooops it's FRIDAY :) 

It seems like this summer I've had a hard time keeping on schedule with the challenge themes, but I'm so glad there are still some of you hanging in there!

This week was a bit slow- I was on vacation and I know of at least 2 other regulars who were away this week as well. Hopefully they'll get caught up when the return home!

So I picked 9:37 as this week's photo theme. I knew I had "time" in mind because a lot happens in my life at both 9:37 am and 9:37 pm. I knew I'd have something great to catch and I did! I also had a strong feeling that people may have other interpretations of 9:37 as well, and I was right! I love the creativity that happens with this group :)

Let's make next week fun and let's hope that we get some late submissions for this past week as well!!

The AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge Theme for week 31 is:

Summertime Bliss

www.ahedgesphotography.com

AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge - Week 30

I cheated last week...shhhh don't tell anyone!!

 Well, not really cheating but I didn't use my "real" camera for last week's BEDSIDE theme. 

On any night of the week you may find me in bed next to a glass of wine, magazines, a remote, my computer and my phone. So there I was, sitting in bed watching my all time favorite reality TV show, Big Brother!!!! I looked over and saw all the elements I wanted in my photo. My camera, however was no where near me, but my phone was! 

So that was it...I took my photo with my phone. I even "Instagramed" it...and for those of you on Instagram follow me amyhedges !! 

I feel like I cheated but honestly I love some of the photos I take with my phone. I feel like I'm able to be 100% creative with my phone and not worry about focus, exposure, color balance etc...it's all about the idea, it's all about the creative image. So from here on out I may use my phone from time to time to capture my weekly photo...I dare ya'll to guess which camera I use---oooo that would be fun!! :-)

Next week the AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge Theme is 

"9:37"

aaaah yesssss....this should be good :-)

www.ahedgesphotography.com

Kaitlyn's Just Because Session

Hot does not even begin to explain the weather on the day we scheduled Kaitlyn's photo session. The air was heavy, it was sweltering in the shade, the kind of heat that isn't even cut through with a jump in the pool. But alas we tried.

I have to say in the 20 minutes we worked we got some amazing stuff. Five Rivers is beautiful this time of year and the light we caught that evening was perfection. We will head back there when the weather is cooler and I can't wait to see what we can accomplish when we're all a bit more comfortable!

Take a peek at Pt 1 of Kaitlyn's session- she rocked it!!

 The light was perfect -- these next two shots are my favorites!! I love the warmth of the color shot, but the black and white is so pretty too....hard to decide which I love best!

Check out this look--so confident! Just beautiful!

 The next shot is another one of my favorites and again I couldn't decide which I liked better, color or black and white!!

Stay tuned for pt 2--

I can't wait to see what we come up with :) 

If you don't already, follow me on Facebook 

so you don't miss it!

ETA 8/31/12: Pt 2 of this session took place in a GORGEOUS field of purple heather....click HERE to see that amazing session!!!

www.ahedgesphotography.com

Buckman Sisters - Family Photography - Westerlo New York

"Sisters share the scent and smells--the feel of a common childhood." Pam Brown

This family has a special story. Growing up on a farm in Westerlo, they cultivated gardens and memories. A while back the family farm was sold and the family spread out a bit. Though when two of the sisters marry a pair of brothers, and the family stays close, the foundation of the family remains strong. 

The three sisters decided to ask permission of the people who now own their childhood home to hold a family photo session on their land. 

They happily obliged- good people. 

So this session was special. They families talked about memories, clam bakes, weddings, family and friends visiting, the gardens, the buildings, the changes. I thought it was the perfect backdrop for a casual, very special family photo portrait. The weather was threatening, but we managed almost a full hour in between rain storms!

 Sometimes you just gotta let the wiggles out....

and you wait for the calm...

The "DOUBLE COUSINS"!!

www.ahedgesphotography.com

AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge - Week 29

Last weeks Gathering photo was a no-brainer for me. My family, gathered at my Grandmother's home in Sacandaga, all together. This doesn't happen often- we have a HUGE family. And yes, some weren't able to make the trip and they were dearly missed. But the people who were able to attend had a fantastic time. The cousins are grown and we now have families of our own. It's amazing to see our kids enjoying the same things we remember about "The Farm" or now as it's called "Fit 'n Do Acres". 

I loved seeing the different interpretations of the word Gathering from all of you as well! This week will be another interesting theme and I can't wait to see what you all come up with!

This week's theme AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge for week 29 is:

Bedside

www.ahedgesphotography.com

AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge - Week 28

Weather? What's that!!? We had NO weather up here in NY this past week. It's been hot hot hot and relatively dry. I can gauge the rainfall by the number of times I have to pull my patio furniture cushions inside the house....which happened NEVER this past week :-) My WEATHER photo was a brief whisper of a possible thunderstorm, which never came. The blue skies chased the clouds away and it was back to fun in the sun for me and the girls. 

Now before I move on to week 28's theme, let's talk about Facebook. I have such a love/hate relationship with Facebook, lately leaning more toward the hate. Now it's even more difficult for me since I'm hearing that many of my fans, even regularly commenting fans aren't seeing my updates, photos and posts. This is more than frustrating to me. I'm not saying that I won't use Facebook any longer as a method to share my photos and reach out to people, but maybe I'll have to use other methods as well. I would encourage those of you who really enjoy reading my blog and seeing my work to sign up to follow my blog if you want to be sure not to miss anything. I don't blog often, but for the important stuff, you'll find it on the blog. I'm also encouraging everyone to visit the Facebook pages of those business you love and interact a lot. Apparently that's the secret to seeing more of what they post. But more importantly than that, it's just a nice gesture to show the businesses you love that you are there with them, supporting them and enjoying what they're doing. 

The AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge theme for week 28 is:

Gathering

www.ahedgesphotography.com

Vina and Adam Part 2 - Engagement Photography- Schenectady, New York

In case you missed Part One of this engagement series, you will definitely want to go back and visit that post HERE. A few days after their downtown Albany session, Vina, Adam and I met at the Rose Garden in Central Park, Schenectady for Part Two! A bit softer, more romantic but just as gorgeous as the first session. Get ready for some romance....

And a whole lotta BLING!

And.....sunset! A perfect, gorgeous, warm sunset and a perfect, fun, gorgeous couple in love!

I am so happy for you two! Enjoy your Hawaiian wedding and I wish you two the best!

Two view their entire gallery, from both the Albany and Schenectady sessions, visit: Vina and Adam's Photo Gallery

www.ahedgesphotography.com

Vina and Adam Part 1 - Engagement Photography- Albany, New York

Adam and Vina are getting married in Hawaii next week. Let's collectively be jealous for a moment... 

Ok so now that I've got that out of my system let's focus on their engagement sessions...yes plural sessions!! Vina contacted me to do their engagement photos locally before their destination wedding. She had two different visions and decided that doing a full session for each location was important to her. So yes, I got to work with this gorgeous, photo-loving couple twice (a photographer's dream!!) 

The first session was held at the Empire State Plaza. Gorgeous evening light, State Capitol landmarks and a bit of edgy attitude!! When we began this session it was still quite bright out so we played with the sun a little until we found the golden light. Get your PIN ME buttons ready....this session is going to knock your socks off!

Dancing on a rooftop...romantic? I think so!!!

The backdrop of the museum is so classic and stunning,

 isn't it?

And talk about stunning....

Vina brought along a parasol! I love working with props that clients bring to their sessions- it makes their photos special and unique to them.

Directly behind them in the next photo is the church, downtown, where Adam proposed to Vina ...Looooove!!!

You won't want to miss Part Two of this engagement session series. The Rose Garden in Central Park,  Schenectady was in full bloom the evening we met there and we got some more amazing shots of Adam and Vina!! Stop back tomorrow!!

www.ahedgesphotography.com