Amy Wenzel Photography

PHOTO YOGA

Today is a good day. Its summer. The birds are chirping outside my office window. I'm happy.  Pegasus had to go to his first veterinarian appointment today. It was a little traumatic for us both...I realized I was so nerved up about frightening him with the car, new places, scary doctor, etc.. that I was getting stabbing pains in my stomach. Just wait til I have kids. I cannot even imagine. But we both survived. He had to have a shot of antibiotics because he's not feeling well. Hopefully he'll be up to speed in a few weeks.

Now a few pictures to share. Her range of expression was beautiful.  I was telling her parents that I'm building up  stamina when it comes to "tiredness" after photographing a quick toddler.  I like to spend alot of time with my clients and often times I don't stop shooting until my memory cards are full. After several hours I used to feel wiped out if I was high energy for that long with a little one.  But now I can actually go about the rest of my day after a shoot like that.  Clients have been commenting lately about the positions I sit in, stand in, or lay in while shooting.  Its like a yoga work out. I don't realize I'm doing it!  I was telling the Mom yesterday at my session that everything around me disappears except whats happening inside my lens. I lose all self-awareness. I think I could literally wet my pants and not even notice.  Photography is one of few things where I can live completely in the moment and everything else just fades away.

Meet Pegasus

I am so happy. I can't tell you how long I've been wanting a pet. David & I both love cats to death. We finally found the sweetest little frisky kitten to make our family complete. Over Memorial Day weekend we adopted this little guy from an animal rescue. He's 12 weeks old and so much fun! He sleeps stretched out between us at night, however last night he slept on my pillow wrapped around my head. I think when he sleeps he looks like a bat. We've only had him a few days and I am already so attached and in love with him.  Pegasus loves to play but also loves to cuddle. Perfect combination. The first day home he was a little skiddish. Every noise freaked him out beyond belief. But now he's turning our home into his own personal jungle gym. He's into everything...climbing in the refrigerator, dumping over water glasses by trying to drink out of them, carrying my hair ties around in his mouth, snooping in my purse. The list goes on. =)  He's made himself at home in my office already and greatly enjoys walking across the keyboard and ruining whatever I'm working on. I'm loving the company while I work. He's so entertaining. I could just snuggle him all day!

All of his siblings are available for adoption at the Kent County Animal Shelter.  They are all so sweet!

The Coolest Parents Award

I had a wonderful time at my Grandparents the last 2 days. I caught a big Bass in their pond. At first I was really excited, but then as I saw him hanging off the hook, gasping for air through his gills, every once in a while flapping his little fins as though he was swimming under water, I got a sick feeling in my stomach. "I'm a fish murderer" I thought.  We threw him back and he survived, but I decided to bring my fishing pole in for the evening. Enough of that.

This session almost didn't happen. They were selling their house and moving down South. She had seen my work through several of her friends families and really wanted me to come to their home and capture her kids there before they moved away since it was the only home her boys had ever known. I really wanted the opportunity to do this because we sold my childhood home when I was about 6 years old and I know what my memories there mean to me. We exchanged several emails before we finally figured out a date that worked- it happened to be the very day before the movers came to pack everything up.  When I arrived at the house she pulled out her wedding album and showed me which photos had meant the most to her...they were completely candid and in the moment. I knew it was going to be a fun session after that! 

They were never short on laughs. You could tell they play with their kids a lot. They all knew how to have fun and it was so inspiring working with them. When we got out the paint, chaos insued. I felt like I was on a very messy reality TV show as I watched the paint splattering all over the deck. I quickly proclaimed them as the COOLEST parents I had ever met. I left there with green paint in my hair.

A LITTLE R&R

You may remember this glowing pregnant Mom from the blog a while back. She had her baby! Here are a few favorites from the session. It took a little while to get baby snoozing soundly, but with a little patience she drifted off.

I'm off to visit my Grandparents for a couple of days. My Grandma and Grandpa have their birthday on the same day. Isn't that adorable? I will be celebrating with them on Wednesday. They will be 83 & 84 this year and I'm looking forward to having a little rest and relaxation with them and after a busy FEW weeks of shooting and editing. I'm hoping to talk my Grandpa into taking me fishing in their pond. Just an FYI I will be away from my phone and email until Thursday morning. I'll get back with you as soon as I return! Thanks. =) 

A Countryside Evening

Well, I've kicked off the senior season to a good start.  Words cannot express the fun I had photographing this amazing girl. We headed out to the farm for the session and we could not have asked for a more gorgeous evening. I could have continued taking her picture for HOURS, but the sun set and we ran out of light.  Even then I was jacking up my ISO trying to get in those last few shots before dark.  I came home that night and said to my husband, "Honey, I should have married a farmer."  It was so beautiful out in the country. There were dogs running in and out of the white fences playing with the horses, the sound of crickets, a fresh smell in the air. It was like heaven. No offense East Grand Rapids, but you do not compare to the serene beauty of a countryside farm in the evening. 

If you would like to see her whole session (all whopping 65 proofs) it is now on my Senior Girls site under PORTFOLIO. She is the featured gallery.

I'm back

We just got back from a weekend in Chicago with friends. Spent the day at Wrigley Field for a Cubs game...although it was a little windy it was a really fun time. We met up with 2 sets of friends that we hadn't seen in years! I noticed in Chicago all the pretty flowering trees that line the streets. This time of Spring is really beautiful- here is a little sweetie from last weekend at the orchard.