It does mean alot....

Thursday was a good day for me.  My soon to be twenty year old son graduated with his GED.  I cannot tell you how extremely proud I was of him.  I am even happier that he was so proud of himself.
Some people say it is just a piece of paper, that it doesn't really mean anything but I could not disagree more.  Sure some people have excelled without a diploma but to me it is not about future success as much as it is about other things. 
When you receive your diploma it means that you have finished a goal.  It is a testament that you spent twelve years working hard on something and you completed it successfully.  A diploma shows tenacity and character.  It shows you have "get - up -and - go".  It is an ending and a beautiful beginning all at the same time. 
Alex has always struggled in school and I knew that going back for his diploma would be difficult for him on many levels.  Sometimes I wondered if he ever would achieve my goal for him.  Then something changed in Alex.  Finally graduating became HIS goal and that made all the difference.  Alex fought through his fears and insecurities and my baby walked that line proudly on June 9, 2011. 
As he walked that line he transformed.  His step was a little quicker, his head held a little higher.  

Ahhhhh....life is good and some things are worth the wait.  Sometimes we have to go back to move forward.   I eagerly anticipate the beginning of my child's adult life, a life not born of my body but one he created for himself. 

My baby turns 18...

Eighteen years and one day ago I brought into the world my little Blakey Boo Boo Boo.   He was born with a head full of curls, the most perfect eyebrows and a smile as bright as the sun.   He was the most soft hearted child you can imagine.  I remember once when we were at a recital and all four of my sons had balloons.  Nicholas' balloon popped and Blake let him have his even though I knew how much he wanted that balloon.  He loved Nicholas so much and would walk around telling everyone that he had a baby and his baby had blue eyes.  Every time he saw another child he would whisper to me that "our baby is cuter".

Blakey saw a Christmas Ornament when he was three.  It was all glass and he thought it was beautiful.  I remember it was a lot of money but I bought it for him because he loved it so.  We dropped it on the way out of the store and it shattered into a million pieces.  Blake was heart broken.  It always tore me apart when he would cry because he would have these huge perfect tears rolling down his face.  Needless to say I bought him another and he spent the entire Christmas admiring the way it would sparkle on the tree. 
Blake would always bring me something home from school.  It may be a pretty string he found on the playground or something shiny he found in the hall but he managed to find me a present every day. 
Today his smile is somewhat shyer and although I know he is still so very soft hearted he tries to hide it behind a shell of indifference.  He keeps his curls cut very short and hides out in his room an awful lot but he is still my sweet angel, Blakey Boo Boo Boo.
Today I celebrate his birth and I celebrate his life.   Happy Birthday my Blake!  I love you with all my heart!

It takes a village...

Yesterday was a great day!  My wedding partner, Duane Chambers and I went to Cheekwood to do a bridal/model shoot.  Happily we were not alone! Accompanying us was Erin Brown.  You may know her as the stylist from Wilson Living Magazine and The Wilson Post.  I know her as a extremely talented and motivated celebrity stylist who went to great lengths to ensure we not only had the perfect dresses but the right accessories as well.  She thought of everything and I cannot tell you how nice it was to know it was all in her very capable hands.  Normally Erin is styling A- list clients for music videos and events but she is expanding her work to accommodate everyday people like us!  (Call her and get yourself a fresh look for the season.  Her number is 615-519-0379)  She was accompanied by recent MTSU graduate, Donielle Fitzgerald.  Thank you Donielle!  You were a huge help to all of us!

Speaking of styles, our thanks also go out to The White Room  and Brides on a Budget who provided us with these rocking gowns.  Be sure and shop there for your next event! 

What is a bridal shoot without someone to do hair and make up?   We didn't want to know so we took with us the girls from Asante' Salon and Day Spa .  Jennie and Kim did a great job making sure our model looked her best at all times!  They were so good at finding the perfect hair and make up style for each dress. 

It is great to have hair, make up and beautiful gowns but if you don't have the right model it doesn't do much good.  WE LOVE YOU SCARLETT JAMES!!  You are not only beautiful (we like that) but you know how to move ( we love that).  I love that you instinctively know what we were wanting out of you.  We can not wait to work with you again!

Last but not least, thanks to Caleb and Jason for lugging equipment, moving lights, offering advice and being right there ready to do whatever was needed. 
Duane and I hope to work with all of you again very soon!
amy

AND THE WINNER IS.......

Debbie Plemons!!!  Congratulations Debbie!  Our judges have selected you as Wilson County's Most Wonderful Mom!  You will receive the following:
$500 gift certificate from Amy Rich Photography
A wonderfully cool (I am so going to buy one of these) Photo Ink Stamps from The Paper Mill.  The gals at the Paper Mill are always looking for stylish, fun and unique ways for you to express your own style. A fabulous party invite. A simple note of thanks. THE perfect gift. Next time you're passing through our terrific Town Square, swing on by and see what's new. Coffee's usually brewing and the conversation is always colorful!   Let me just tell you I LOVE this place and I shop there all of the time!  I bought my Vera Bradley purse there and get compliments on it everywhere I go.  Be sure and sign up for their mailing list so you will know about all of the specials!
A gift package from The Roxy movie theatre including tickets to one of their state of the art movies!  What is a movie without hot fresh popcorn?  You have won that too!  The Roxy is my favorite theatre!  I love that it is clean but best of all I love that it is reasonably priced.  I can take all of my bratlings there without taking out a loan!    Be sure and tell Anita that Amy sent you!
A $50 gift certificate towards any service provided by Jennie at Asante' Salon and Spa.  Asante', now under new ownership and located next to Maggie Moo's and across from Demo's is a top rated salon and Jennie is a master hair artist so you can't go wrong with anything you choose to go for here!  I was honored to photograph their grand opening and was so impressed by their salon and things they offer.  Spend a day here and get a facial, spray tan, manicure, hair style, massage...whew!  I am ready!!
$50's in gift certificated to Demo's.  After getting beautified at Asante', head over to Demo's for a great meal!  We ate there Friday night and I have to say that I am always amazed at the high quality of food and the reasonable prices.  Seriously, I don't know how they stay in business!  Must be because of the thousands of people who eat there and praise their name!  I love this place!!
A beautiful pair of earrings from Dana Chapman who is a vendor for Lia Sophia Jewelry Line.  Not only is this jewelry line fun, fashionable and beautiful it carries a lifetime replacement guarantee!  If you love jewelry (and who doesn't) you need to go and check out her website!  Want to earn some free jewelry?  I am sure she would love for you to host a party!
A fun magnetic frame from Hermitage Embroidery in Hermitage, TN.  These three dimensional magnets and frames by Designs by You are the hottest things going right now!  Perfect gifts for graduations, birthdays and especially teenage girls!  I bought every teen girl on my list one of these last Christmas and they all LOVED them!  Call Judy at 957-1628 or better yet drop in and see the huge variety! 
A Signature Facial and Spa Manicure from The Beauty Boutique.  The Beauty Boutique operates with the motto, “Being you is beautiful.” They know that a great many women in the Nashville area have to travel from Lebanon and other surrounding areas in order to get products and services, and in today’s busy world, finding the time to commute can be a major problem. Their store location keeps your busy time and schedule in mind. Your beauty is their business, and to that end, our total attention and respect is at your disposal.
I know these Misty and her business and I love them both!  You will not be disappointed!!  Drop in and you just may find me there!
A $25 gift certificate to Heylee B's clothing located within Beauty Boutique!  I don't know how many of you follow me on facebook but if you do then you know that I mad the mistake of taking my daughter in there and came out much poorer!  Great boutique clothing at not -so boutique prices!  I have heard from a little mouse that the women of Wilson Living Magazine shop there also!  I must warn you though....you will love everything that she offers!

Congratulations again to Debbie Plemmons! 

While all cannot win the grand prize, there are no losers at Amy Rich Photography.  After the winner was chosen I read through the entries and I was touched by all of them.  I am giving every entry a $75 print credit to my studio. 

To all of the wonderful moms out there, a very Happy Mother's Day!
amy

[ I apologize that this did not post yesterday.  I scheduled it to post at noon yesterday but somehow screwed it up.  My apologies!]

Wilson County's Most Wonderful Mom Contest

Are you Wilson County's Most Wonderful Mom or do you know who she is?


Amy Rich Photography is searching high and low for the best mom in Wilson County and plans to reward her with many gifts including a $500 portrait package.

You can see our continually growing list of prizes here, my blog or on our Event Page on Facebook.

You can nominate yourself, your mom or any mom you know. Send a letter stating why this person deserves to win the title. Include a cover letter that has name, address and phone number of you and the nominee. Email to arphotography@comcast.net or mail to: Amy Rich Photography, 706 West Main Street, Lebanon, TN 37090.

Entries must be received by Wednesday, May 4th. The winner will be announced on Mother's Day on the blog found at www.AmyRichPhotography.com.

A panel of judges will select the winner. Good luck!

For more information contact the studio at 615-335-5529.

Cassie and Andrew

Here is the slideshow from the wedding of Cassie and Andrew.  It was a beautiful wedding!

Why I love my job....Reason #225

Okay, I know you are all sick of hearing this but.....I LOVE my job!  The reasons are countless but let me give you one more of them.

As most of you know, I am part of a wonderful organization called Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep or NILMDTS for short.  NILMDTS is a non-profit organization of photographers that provide portraits for families experiencing the loss of a baby.  We go to the hospitals, do a professional portrait session and give them the fully edited disk at no charge.  (Look them up at http://www.nilmdts.org/ and make a donation!)  Through this organization I have met many families dealing with the worst nightmare a parent can face, the loss of a child.  They have not only lost their baby but all the hopes, dreams and expectations that you begin building the second you learn you are pregnant.  They are hurting and they are lost.  I meet them briefly, try to give them a small window of light through photographing their precious love and then I go back to my life and they are left in the wreckage of theirs.  I think about them all of the time, especially on the yearly anniversaries but I usually do not hear from them again aside of a thank you card.  Like ships passing through the night I meet these strangers, spend a small anguished moment with them at one of the most crushing moments of their life and then that is it.  As I sit here typing these memories keep flooding in of moments I have spent with these families.  I have been there when their babies drew their last breath and the doctor pronounced the time of death, I have stood humbled watching as these new mommys dress their babies for the first and the only time.  I have cried with them and I have never forgotten them.

Last HalloweenI received the call about the NILMDTS shoot.  I grabbed my camera and my helper, Heather, and headed out.  The baby's name was Kaylee, a beautiful baby girl and the second child lost to these parents.  I spent some time photographing the adorable love they had for this baby.  When I left I did not expect to hear from them again.
This past week I received an email from them.  After another baby lost in March, God blessed them with a beautiful baby boy on Christmas Eve.  I was honored when they asked me to photograph him. 
This is why I love my job.  I love the families I photograph and the relationships we form.  I love when their kids give me hugs and they share their joys with me.  I love photographing a baby and then being invited to the baby showers of the second baby soon to come.  I love hearing their stories and I love sharing my love of photography with them by chronicling their lives.

The last time I left this family they were hurting and shell shocked.  Yesterday they left my studio beaming, proud and totally smitten with their ten pound bundle of love.  Truly God is good.  And truly being able to share such joy makes this the best job in the world!

Welcome to the World Little One!