Amanda Mattila Photography Blog

Out of Office: Moving!

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:55:56 +0000

I just wanted to let you know that I am moving this weekend (June 18-20th) to Virginia. I will be checking my mail on the road but may not be responding until next week. Those that have submitted print orders or plan to, the delay will be minimal in receiving your order but I will be putting those orders in next week and drop shipping from the printer to your address.

Amber + Troy= Engaged! {Michigan Wedding Photographer}

admin — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 19:25:20 +0000

I realize that I am way behind on my blog… Sorry! I have had a lot to do lately…mainly because I am moving! More on that later.

Amber & Troy are engaged to be MARRIED this coming November! They were referred to me by one of my wonderful couples from last year. I had thought that Troy looked really familiar and then he reminded me that he was in the wedding party! We met up and walked around downtown Royal Oak for some photos. We had fun….and adventure, lol. We had an encounter with some sort of horse cop training…which was interesting. Anyway, here are a few:

Had to include this one since we got in trouble for taking it...

Mailbox Love. {michigan photography}

admin — Sun, 02 May 2010 00:11:36 +0000

My kids get really excited by mail. Jumping up and down when they get a card or a new Animal Babies magazine. Opening my junk mail is just the coolest for my daughter Berlin. Especially when they are the address label stickers that random insurance companies will send me. Oh, the simple joy in life. I’d be lying if I said that never happened to me though. I love getting mail. I still, on occasion, jump up and down when I get a package.

This week I got 2 lovelies: One a thank you note from a client. Handmade and all cute! LOVE that! Second, some illustrations that I ordered from Hide and Seek. I love her fairy tale world and colors she uses in her art. I ordered a print and now I’m coming up with where to put it. You can see some of her work on her blog too at The Hidden World of Eloise.

Thank you for the love!

Print probably for the girls’ room.

April Flowers. {Michigan Portrait and Wedding Photography}

admin — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 19:27:36 +0000

In my previous post, I mentioned that I started playing with the macro lens and flowers. Here are a couple I took. It is interesting taking photos with a real macro lens as it is actually hard to get it sharp! I wiggle too much so I had to learn to hold my breath and hold really still…which is harder than I thought! But the color and quality… ooh, i love! These here are straight out of the camera–no editing done except a slight sharpening!

Let Them Be. {Royal Oak Michigan Photographer}

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:22:57 +0000

Later in the afternoon, I decided to try to get some photos of Elijah. He is 2 years old. Independent, egocentric, curious, full of energy, sweet and cuddly, strong willed, has the attention span of like 3 seconds, and did I mention… INDEPENDENT. Basically, 2 year old boy. Getting him dressed to take pictures, he insisted on his favorite shirt featuring superheroes which he systematically points out: “flash, batman, superman…”. And his cowboy hat from his dress up box. I’ve learned to pick my battles… and he didn’t want to wear his sister’s sparkle dress… so this wasn’t a battle I was going to start. So I let him be. Yes, the shirt doesn’t go with the hat…but I love these pictures. Partly because it is just so Eli. He was happy and had fun. I didn’t push him and pose him and I captured him the way he really is. I’ve had some clients that stress out a lot that their kid is smiling with too much teeth, don’t want their kids to smile because of braces, aren’t smiling and not paying attention to the camera, don’t want to wear the shoes that match the outfit, touching something that might get them dirty. I say, just let them be. They are kids. Let them be pouty, goofy, curious, adventurous. With a little prompting, I can usually get a look at the camera and smile photo… but the best way to capture them… is to let them be themselves. Make it fun and you will love the result.
Here are some of Elijah from about 20 minutes playing around my house!

He hears an airplane... what is that?!

This little piggy...

little sweetie picking me flowers.

And the posed one...

I wouldn't suggest the pacifier for a session, but since this was just playing...

The very well worn fave T.

Reminds me of Indiana Jones or something.

My little Miss Priss telling me a story.

She insisted on wearing the dress up shoes outside.

Me and my new camera/lens!

Isadora Lee. {Royal Oak Photographer}

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:53:39 +0000

Isadora, my youngest, just turned 8 months old! I can’t believe how fast the time flies. The other morning, I woke to her little voice saying “Mama”. Such a sweet sound! She is going to be a talker, just like my 4 year old Berlin, who can’t seem to stop talking! Her babbling is quite loud and constant. She has been army crawling for a few months now but on occassion does a real hands and knees crawl. A couple of weeks ago she pulled herself to standing and is already attempting to walk along things… I was really hoping that she would wait a while to walk. Pretty soon I’m going to have my hands full with THREE talking and walking munchkins.

Being a mom really makes me realize how fast life goes… how those little moments that may seem insignificant are what you remember years later. The expressions and personality that comes out so early. I’m so glad that I’m a photographer and can capture my little ones the way I want it captured for me to look back on. As well as them being able to see how cute their chubby cheeks were! I hope to be able to do that for my clients. Give you images of your little ones to cherish and hold onto for life.

The other afternoon I wanted to play with my newest baby… the Canon 100mm 2.8L Macro! I started out taking pictures of flowers…and per usual, ended up on my kids. Here are some of Izzie!

you may remember, but i have a photo of her on this chair at 10 days old.

unsure of herself standing in this grass

this is a gumpy face. the cheeks are just so prominent... i love it.

playing with flowers

Studio + Street. {Michigan Photographer}

admin — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 02:27:12 +0000

One of my past brides, Laura, is interested in photography and came down to the studio to play around and learn a few things. We did some photos in studio and then headed to downtown for some other scenes. My sister, Chrissy, helped us out being our model for the day so that Laura didn’t have to learn while taking pictures of a can or something. She was a lovely model… Thanks Chris! It was CRAZY windy out… so we didn’t a lot because it was so strong it was knocking us and our stuff over! On our way out, we talked to some of the local boys skating. I reminisced of my time dating a skater boy and took some fun action shots.

Chrissy.

The studio {part of the shooting area}

Laura

Parking garage

i wish i was that talented!

Dippin’ the Toes. {Royal Oak Michigan Photographer}

admin — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 01:54:02 +0000

I have a studio. Now what?! Studio photos! Since I have shot weddings the past few years and most of my portrait work is with natural light… I’ve learned lighting but haven’t had a ton of practical use with actual studio lighting. Plus, I’m usually having to work around other barriers or set ups if it is in someone’s house or a location. So free to set up whatever I like is a little overwhelming with options…but fun. Here are a couple from my first time shooting in the new studio!

My niece Grace.

Gracie is so easy to photograph.

Kaylee, my niece. Growing up so fast!

Berlin, my daughter... wasn't as cooperative but I managed one.

and a crazy one for the road....

Scrapbook Party Time. {Michigan Portrait Photographer}

admin — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 18:21:48 +0000

I’m so lucky to have my career in photography! My interest… my life… and my job mesh wonderfully. It is often hard to distinguish my art and home life from work life. I wouldn’t change it for anything. Before working as a photographer, I liked crafting which led to scrapbooking. My old designs are a bit embarrassing now that I look back but it was a fun outlet for creativity and I hoped that my kids would someday each have a cool scrapbook of their life (my mom made one for me and I think it is just awesome). Now, 8 years later I’ve gone from paper to digital papers for my books. It isn’t the same as chatting with the girls while cutting and taping but it is a whole lot less messy and easy to stop and come back to…. which with 3 kids, is a must!

Anyway, scrapbookers… Shimelle is having an online crop party this weekend from Friday to Sunday. The site says there will be challenges, prizes, and free downloads… plus some tutorials for paper, digital/paper, or pure digital scrapbooking. I frequent a few blogs and I can tell you that they are always full of inspiration and fun. I’m going to check it out…so should you! The cost is usually pretty minimal.

Oh, how I love how creative some people are! And I’m so glad that other people have the same affinity toward paper fun that I do! It isn’t scrapbooking but these paper craft photos are from the Shimelle site–isn’t this neat?!

Book made with Starbucks cup.

Inside of the book

Also, my long awaited album for my son, Elijah, is finally here! His first 2 years of milestones and ordinary life moments all nicely bound in a book. I tried out Blurb books this year because his book was 104 pages! I have some nicer albums–which I love for keepsakes– but spending $1000 on finger painting pictures seemed a bit much… lol. But this Blurb book is great! I went with premium paper and the large 12×12 size. I’m glad I have the nicer photographic print album options but I plan to use Blurb again for small blog books or vacations… plus my daughter’s milestone book. The Royal Oak Photography group is going to be publishing a book through them with our last year of Two Faces of Detroit photos. You can see one of my posts about it on my old blog, here.

I just ran outside and took these pictures of the book to show you… very excited! Also, these pics were taken with my new lens that arrived Monday! 100 mm 2.8L Macro! It is an awesome portrait lens and does amazing close-ups for babies and rings! I’m looking forward to using it this season. Elijah’s book is done in a minimalistic style–which I’m a fan of negative white space. But I’m excited for my daughter’s album too because it is more feminine and earthy. I’ll have to do a sneak peek soon.

My Cutest Bunnies. {Michigan Portrait Photographer}

admin — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 19:26:22 +0000

I hope everyone had a nice Easter! My holiday was a little crazy as usual. I have a big family so gatherings are always a little hectic. This year I had some family stay with me– my new baby sister, Myah! It was really nice to see my dad, his wife Angie, and my grandma…who all live in Arkansas. I’ve been getting things together at the studio and finally shot in it the other day! Pictures to come!!

Here are a few snapshots of my Easter weekend:

the things we do to our kids! Isadora (my daughter, 7 months) and Myah.

Isadora, Berlin, & Elijah

Izzie and my grandma at the park.

Eli hunting for eggs.

Berlin found one!

My dad, Angie, and Myah.