Amy Beckley Photography

Spring Minis This Saturday! {Amy Beckley Photography}

Saturday, April 6th, I will be on the Natchez Trace for Spring Mini Sessions.  Call the studio or email me to book your time slot!  The weather looks beautiful!  There are 2 types of sessions to choose from!

I did get to do two sessions there this past weekend!  It was a perfect day!

Avery came to see me first.  She was here from Dallas to visit her Gigi.  

It was a little past naptime..I LOVE a thumbsucker!!

Avery is definately a Daddy's Girl!

After Avery, I got to spend some time with Ian and Patrick.  Patrick was one of my Baby Plan babies!  He's not a baby anymore!  Look at that sweet face.

I love this family shot!

Sweet brothers..

Sweet Siblings {Amy Beckley Photography}

I had the best time last Friday photographing sweet Josie, her big brother and sister and beautiful Mom!  I LOVE the images that I captured!

Are they not the most beautiful children??

It was also Josie next session in her Baby Plan..Tutu Time!

Easter Story Cookies {Amy Beckley Photography}

I encourage everyone to do this with your children tomorrow night.  We are going to get the ingredients for ours today!  This is a great way to share the truth of God’s word in an interesting and meaningful way with your children.

Ingredients:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

 

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important to do before you start the mixing)

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Romans soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

 

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

 

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.

 

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.

 

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the Oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9.

Additional Spring Mini Sessions are booking NOW!

I've been waiting for my daughter's Softball schedule to be posted so I could add some Mini Session dates to my calender.  I will be offering 2 more Mini Session dates.

I've decided to try two different packages this time.  I've never offered a digital package before and I'm interested in how many of my clients may have a desire for this.

The Print Package: $150 will include 5 Gift Prints (8x10 or smaller), 1 Wall Portrait (16x20 or 11x14) and 25% off additional print orders. ($300 Value)

The Digital Package:  $300 will include High-Resolution Digital Files with Full Copyright Release for Prints.  

$100 is required to book your time slot.  This fee MUST be paid within 5 days of booking to reserve your spot.  No exceptions.  The remainder must be paid at or before the session.  A week after your session, you will be directed to a private, online gallery of your images.  All orders must be placed within 10 days of your session posting.

April 6th on the Natchez Trace: 1:30-5:00.  There are two time slots to choose from.  I recommend the 40 Minute Sessions for families.  This location is beautiful this time of the year and is perfect for smaller children and families.

1:30 (20 Minute Session)                               2:00 (20 Minute Session)

2:30 (20 Minute Session)                                3:00 (40 Minute Session)

3:45 (20 Minute Session)                                4:15 (40 Minute Session)

5:00 (40 Minute Session)

 

May 5th at The Quarter on Lakeland Drive.  These will be 20 minute sessions only.  This location is perfect for older children and young teens as well as families.   It's more of an Urban setting with beautiful brick and ironwork...very New Orleans! 

1:00                                                                            1:30

2:00                                                                            2:30

3:00                                                                            3:30

4:00                                                                            4:30

 

I will keep this post at the top of my blog and I will update when sessions slots are filled.  Please call the studio at 601-946-6723 or email me at [email protected] to select your timeslot!

Introducing Kent Rushing..{Amy Beckley Photography}

Kent is finally here..and he is ADORED by TWO sweet sisters and a great Dad and Mom!  I had the pleasure last week of driving over to Clinton to meet Newborn Itty Bitty Kent and see his sweet sisters!  I've photographed his two sisters for several years now and I was so excited a few months ago to find that I'll have another family member to photograph.  I feel so much a part of this family for over the years I have photographed Mom's two sisters kids and her brothers kids as well.  It's all a family affair!  Luckily they have all kept me busy!  Holidays for next few years are going to be WILD!

I love this image!  Kent's nursury had the best light!

 I Loved his Easter Bunny Hat!

Sweet Sisters and Baby Brother..

Thought For The Day...{Amy Beckley Photography}

I saw this quote today and it really inspired me to live this out!

"At the end of the day I don't want life to be about what I accomplished...I want it to be about what God accomplished in ME.!

I am a notorious list maker.  I have colored notepads all over the house as well as colored pens and pencils to make my "lists".  I'm even so serious about my lists that my kids know not to write anything on them because I only want my handwriting on them.  I'll even rewrite them if I'm not happy with how they look.  I make my grocery lists by the layout of the store and add * beside things on sale and things that I have coupons for...Crazy I know!  I have TO DO lists for the upcoming week and I have lists for things that need to be accomplished by the end of the month and even the year!  Robbie and I even walked around the whole house last week and compiled a 6 PAGE list of things that need to be fixed or updated around the house.

BUT

This is not what God wants of me!  He doesn't look at me at the end of the day and say "Good job Amy, you got so much accomplished today.  You scrubbed the toilets, caught up on all the laundry, went grocery shopping, took the kids to school and picked them up, made an incredible, healthy meal, completed your work on the computer and worked your part-time job."  While I know he cares about that stuff.  He does say to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (and for now this is my race) but He goes on to say "Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of out faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2.

Yes, we are to "run our race" but not to the detriment of our primary purpose.  I am a MOM!  I have many responsibilities but at the end of the day, I want to know that I loved my children, that I cared for them and they went to bed knowing how special they are to me.  That I disciplined them and taught them either by my actions or my words how to live a Godly life.  I want my husband to know that he is appreciated and loved.  I want everyone that I encountered that day to be able to say that they didn't see just me that day, but that they saw the goodness of God in me.  That I smiled and offered a kind word.  That everything that came out of my mouth was positive and pleasing.  That I went about my work wholeheartedly and with purpose.  I am to "fix my eyes on Jesus."  If I do that God's work will be accomplished in me!  So tonight when I go to bed I won't make a mental list in my head of all that I did today.  I will focus on the things that shined for Him and I will think of how I can do better and do more tomorrow!

Another Birthday Boy! {Amy Beckley Photography}

It seems like this is all I've been photographing lately!  I've had so many birthday sessions and all but one have been boys!  I do have a girl one coming so stay tuned!  I approach my first birthday sessions as somewhat bittersweet.  While I love to see the changes that a simple year can make I'm also saddened that the Baby Plan has come to an end.  I typically get to see these little ones about once a year after the Baby Plan ends and I love to see them again when a new brother or sister comes.  It is this way with this sweet family.  I was so lucky to photograph big brother KJ for his first year and totally honored to be able to photograph Kole when he came along.  It's been a absolute joy to be able to spend the past 2 1/2 years with this precious family!

I've really been into black and whites lately!  I just love the purity and innocence of a simple black and white portrait.

Happy Birthday Henry! {Amy Beckley Photography}

Henry came to see me for his first birthday session on Friday and we had a blast!  He has changed so much and grown into such a cutie pie!  He was also quite the poser....

I love the images that I captured of Henry and Mom!  So sweet!

I LOVE this image of Mom and Dad!

Dripping Faucets and all....

Okay, this is really stepping out on a limb for me but I feel compelled to share this. I'm doing this because I'm trying to become more transparent with my life and with my Faith.  I know this is my business blog but as a photographer, I come in contact daily with clients that just may need to read this.  I work with many younger couples especially those with small children and maybe what I have to say may help them.  So here goes.

Last night as I was typing on my blog, I felt a call from God to get in His word.  So when I finished, I took a hot bath and settled into bed.  When I get this feeling, I typically just open His word to the first chapter the the Bible opens up to.  Last night it was Proverbs 19.  I LOVE Proverbs and was so excited when I was drawn to this book.  As I began reading, I was confused.  It starts off a little deep, deeper than my mind wanted to go at 10:00 but I persevered.  In the first reading the verses 13-14 stood out but still didn't grab me.

Proverbs 19:13-14

New International Version (NIV)

¹³ A foolish child is a father’s ruin,
and a quarrelsome wife is like
the constant dripping of a leaky roof.

¹⁴ Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

So, I got out my iPad and studied further.  And MAGIC!  I knew what God wanted me to hear and it was amazing.  See, earlier in the night when my husband came home I suggested that we walk all around the house from room to room and outside and make a punchlist of all the things that need to be done and I was frustrated at him because we never got to it.  He got home and washed his car, we ate dinner and I cleaned up,  got the girls bathed and in bed and finished editing a session from last weekend.  When the subject came up at 9:00, I mouthed off some response because I was frustrated that we hadn't done what I wanted.  As I was thinking earlier what needed to be done.....the first thing that I thought that needed to go on my list was the DRIPPING FAUCETS in the kitchen and in the bathroom.  They drive me CRAZY!  I adjust the levers several times a day to make the stop dripping and the constant drip-drip-drip is nervewracking.  Well, I confess that is me!

A quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof!

OUCH!  The commentary says, "The contentions of a wife are a continual dropping - The man who has got such a wife is like a tenant who has got a cottage with a bad roof through every part of which the rain either drops or pours. He can neither sit, stand work, nor sleep, without being exposed to these droppings. God help the man who is in such a case, with house or wife!"

It goes on further to say, "A prudent wife is from the Lord."  I thought, oh me, me!  I want to be a prudent wife.  So I look it up!  That means, "

A prudent wife is from the Lord - One who has a good understanding, who avoids complaining, though she may often have cause for it. 

Double OUCH!  So I pray today that I not be a leaky roof and that I may be prudent, full of wisdom and grace and that I will avoid complaining!  A good lesson for today.

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Spring Mini Update and Avery {Amy Beckley Photography}

I still have a one opening left for this weekend (Saturday at 9:00) and I will open three more sessions on Saturday the 30th for a 9:00, 9:30 and a 10:00.  Please call the studio at 601-946-6723 to book.  I will also have a Saturday in April where I will do Mini Sessions at a local destination.  I'm just waiting on my daughter's Softball and Tournament Schedule before I decide on the date.  If you are interested, you can email me at [email protected] to get on the waiting list.  The pricing will be the same as the Spring Vintage Minis.  I haven't determined the location yet and will take suggestions from anyone who prebooks!

With that being said, here is a Sneak Peek from Avery's Spring Mini this past weekend.  I have photographed this sweet and crazy child since she was a newborn.  I can't believe she just turned FOUR!

I know this is awful but I have to share this!  At some point in my sessions, typically with older kids, I'll ask them to make some crazy faces.  If they are getting too serious, it always relaxes them.  At the end of our session, I told Avery to make some silly faces and this is what she did!

Curious, I asked Mom.  "What is she doing."  She explained that she's doing the Girl in the Elevator on Youtube.  If you haven't seen this, it is CREEPY!!!  If you choose to look it up, make sure small children aren't in the room and you yourself may have nightmares!  Mom says that Avery hides in the house and does this to scare her.  Hilarious!  This child is a MESS!  Love her!