Amanda Mattila Photography Blog

Baby Brilee.

admin — Sat, 19 May 2012 17:31:10 +0000

Just a sneak peek of little Brilee! This family is just a pleasure to work with….and their little bundle of joy was the highlight of my month!

In the Mitten!

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:45:31 +0000

I haven’t updated in a LONG while. I’ve gotten quite a lot of inquiries asking where I live and I’m posting to officially say that I am in Michigan! My family and I moved to Virginia for my husband’s work but being so far from family was hard. We decided to move back and are now in Dryden, MI. Years ago if you would have asked me if I would end up in a tiny little town like Dryden, I would have laughed while shaking my head NO! But I LOVE it! I’m not exactly sure what is in store for my photography. I’ve longed to start photographing babies and children. I am in the process of working toward building that business up. I am very blessed with how well starting wedding photography went for me and I’m hopeful that adding to my business the beautiful faces of babes will go just as well.

Check back soon for photos of my recent work!

I just love smiles!

Ariah! {Northern Virginia Photographer}

admin — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:44:42 +0000

I just got back from a short visit to Michigan and was able to take a few pictures of my super cute niece Ariah while I was there. I was so excited to see her again after a couple of months. She changed so much. It is crazy to see this little girl sitting and crawling already! Here are a few:

Sara + Tony= MARRIED!! {Northern Virginia Photographer}

admin — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 01:13:55 +0000

It has been a while since I was a guest and the photographer but I was lucky enough to photograph my cousin’s special day and celebrate the night away. The wedding was PERFECT! Gorgeous weather for an outdoor ceremony at the Warren Valley Golf Club. Every detail was beautiful. And the couple couldn’t have been a better match. I’m so happy for them! Here is a quick sneak peek. (Sara & Tony… I hope you are having a blast at Hogwarts! lol.)

Amber + Troy… In LOVE! {Virginia/DC Photographer}

admin — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 18:06:26 +0000

This post is a little out of order but I finished the editing so fast that I’m excited to post a quick preview. If you remember, I did Amber and Troy’s engagement session earlier in the year…you can see here. Amber and Troy were married in Midland, MI at the Carriage House connected with the Center of Arts–near Dow Gardens. The reception was held at a ballroom in the Midland Holiday Inn. November 6, 2010 was a chilly one but although it started a little gloomy, the sun came shining after the ceremony and we were able to get some beautiful pictures outside. It was just wonderful to be able to work with them again and take part in their special day. It was so great to see Katie and Mike again and hear about the changes in their life since I photographed their wedding the year prior (as a 9.5 month pregnant lady too!) Thanks again for referring me Katie!

Music at the ceremony provided by the talented Brian of Brian Ivan Guitar.

Bride’s headband made by Tessa Kim Bridal Adornments.

Enough, enough…let’s get with the pictures!

All images are not at highest quality…sharpened and sized for web.

the happy couple

Amber looking beautiful!

Claire. {Virginia Portrait Photography}

admin — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 19:48:56 +0000

My cousin Claire is graduating this next year! Football games and dances…senior year is so fun! I can still remember her as a toddler (I’m ten years older) so seeing her all grown and gorgeous is awesome. I can feel for parents out there watching their little girls grow up and I can definitely wait for mine to be teens. AH, right now I’m thinking of my nieces who are not that far off from teenage years…yikes! Anyway, Claire and I walked around Royal Oak for a quick session while I was in town a few weeks back. And here is a sneak peek at what we got:

(ALL IMAGES ARE NOT AT OPTIMAL QUALITY, SIZED AND SHARPENED FOR WEB)

Danielle + Neil= IN LOVE! {Virginia Portrait Photography}

admin — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 18:49:30 +0000

I LOVE THIS COUPLE! They are just so sweet and comfortable with each other. I just knew the minute they walked in my studio that I wanted to work with them! With such a busy summer for both of us we weren’t able to do their engagement session until the week of their wedding but I think it worked out perfectly! The weather was gorgeous and we had a nice time walking around Spicer’s Orchard in Fenton…. after a treat of cider and donuts, of course!

Here is a peek at their session! Hope you LOVE this as much as I do!

ALL IMAGES NOT AT OPTIMAL QUALITY. SIZED AND SHARPENED FOR WEB.

Gorgeous!

Melanie + Ryan= In LOVE {Virginia Photographer}

admin — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:47:58 +0000

Melanie and Ryan are sweet couple. I had the opportunity to shoot their engagement session last year. We went to the cider mill and Ryan’s house for some photos and it was just so enjoyable. Their connection and love just shined. You can see the brief blog post here on my old blog. Melanie works as a photographer and had a lot of ideas of what she wanted in her photography. We started out in Rochester at the Royal Park Hotel for their first look. She was so nervous and excited and Ryan’s face when he saw his bride for the first time was priceless. I really encourage brides and grooms to meet ahead of the ceremony to do portraits so they can enjoy their guests and celebrate without worrying about the photos later. After the quick photos at Royal Park, we headed over to Wolcott Park in Ray, MI and then downtown Romeo before making it to our final destination at Greystone Golf Club in Romeo. The ceremony went perfectly and the downpour of rain held out just long enough for us to get some family photos outside! So GLAD! Thank you Melanie and Ryan for being such a pleasure to work with…as well as your parents. Just lovely! Here are a couple photographs from their day:

Anxiously awaiting her first look at her husband to be!

And a couple spreads from their album:

Amanda + Chris {In Love} Michigan Wedding Photographer

admin — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:58:36 +0000

I just got back from shooting another wonderful wedding in Michigan….just an amazing couple! I can’t wait to edit their wedding. But since I promised some blog updates, I’m going to share some from Amanda & Chris’ wedding! From the first email that I received from Amanda, I just knew I wanted to work with her. She was very sweet and honest and I love a direct and open conversation with anyone…especially with a potential client. It helps me to better understand them and what they truly need. We met at a McDonald’s because my studio was still being painted at the time and we sat and discussed the wedding and her daughter who is the same age as my son and her vision for the wedding. Listening to her about her life and family just solidified my original opinion… I just had to work with this amazing couple! She was coming from out of state to get married in Frankenmuth. I have ALWAYS wanted to shoot a wedding in Frankenmuth, so I was very excited to have the opportunity. They were having an outdoor ceremony at the Rose Garden and then taking a trolley around town until ending the evening at the Sullivan’s Black Forest tavern. On June 12, 2010 they said their vows outdoors as planned….with an amazing turn of weather just as the music started for the processional. It was seriously amazing… I may have started to tear up at the sight. Like something in a movie, the rain and clouds gave way and sunshine appeared to grace their special day. So, feel the love…here are some pictures.

All images shown are not in their optimal quality, they are sized and sharpened for web.

Rain, Rain... Go away.

Their sweetie!

Beautiful Bride!!

Kari & James {Michigan Wedding Photographer}

admin — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:00:35 +0000

Kari and James were such a pleasure to photograph…I’m only sorry it took so long for me to do a post! Kari is just the sweetest bride! Since I’ve moved, she has given me some great ideas for restaurants in my area that I can’t wait to try out. MUST get a babysitter!

Kari and James were married May 22, 2010 at St. John’s Armenian Church in Southfield, MI. Beautiful church. Reception was held at Orchard Lake Country Club. Here a couple photos from their day:

i just love her dad in this one

One of my fave spreads from their album.

beautiful love!