I was honored when Tamra of http://www.seaofserendipity.com/and I had the opportunity to shoot engagement photos for Elizabeth & Mike. I have known Elizabeth for years in fact she was in my wedding 14yrs ago. Mike I haven't known near as long, but I can tell by the way he looks at her that life is good and the future will be bright for them.

Thier story is straight out of a storybook. Years ago they were together as a couple but life got in the way. They each followed thier own paths not knowing that later as the stars would have it they would cross paths again. It was the perfect time and just looking at them you know they couldn't be happier.

While shooting them I couldn't help feel the warmth and love that was deep and strong but fresh and new all at the same time.

What a special couple ~ Congratulations & all the best!

Amanda

(I know you want to see so here is a quick peek:)

Had a chance to shoot Rachael and Brody at Agua Caliente Park. Wow he is growing up so fast. They are both so photogenic that it was easy to shoot great pictures of them.
Fun morning and great opportunity to get out the 70-200 and spend some time with it. I really like that lens so- much that I don't mind "hauling" it around anymore.
I haven't been to that park in quite a long time and am kicking myself now. What a pretty place. I even think it was cooler temp wise then the rest of town. If you get a chance go visit http://www.naturalwonders.net/agua/ it truly is an oasis in the desert!
Couple of shots from the morning~~

They grow up too fast & new point and shoot

I bought a new point & shoot after the last one died a dusty death from being out on one too many buggy rides at the dunes. This new one past the test of time on the Utah quading trip. Through dust (and I mean alot of dust), lakes, rivers and Gizmo lickings it kept on shooting. For inexpensive go everwhere I have to say the Olympus 550wp is pretty darn good so far.
I had it in my purse the other day when the girls hit the mall for school shopping. First ever eyebrow wax - ouch. And now thanks to this handy dandy pocket sized p&s that event has now become part of the family video library!!

Caribbean Vacation!!

A week that just went by way too fast!!

Craig stayed home to have quality time with Gizmo:) and "hold down the fort" while CJ, my two sisters and I were lucky enough to spend a week visiting mom and Paul at thier apartments on St. Thomas and then sailing on thier sailboat the

"Sail Marilee".

After we all arrived we left the apartments and ferried over to St. John to the boat which is kept in Cruz Bay. CJ got her hair completely braided on St. John and to this day still has the braids. (If you get there look up Philomen for your braids she has done CJ's numerous times and they stay in!!). Snorkeling was great, we swam with ramoras, rays, parrotfish, barracudas and so many other types of fish! If you see Becky be sure to ask her about being the "bird whisperer". We visited the world famous Yost Van Dyke http://www.b-v-i.com/JostVanDyke/default.htm"Soggy Dollar Bar" http://www.soggydollar.com/soggydollarbar/and "Foxys" http://www.foxysbar.com/home.html for our Painkillers & Bushwackers. After sailing for a couple of days we ended up back over on St. Thomas staying in the apartments and doing some quick shopping downtown St. Thomas.

We had so much fun- hard to leave!

Already thinking about next summer:)

**Special thanks to Mom & Paul for everything**

If you are headed to USVI St. Thomas and are looking for a rental apt. Let me know-I'll put you in touch with Mom & Paul one of thiers may be available....

To view more pictures of the trip check out my portrait and scenic galleries on the website.

meetup in the park

Last week I came across a meetup group in Tucson called Arizona Photo Events http://www.meetup.com/ArizonaPhotoEvents/ The group is organized by Corinne http://www.modelmayhem.com/DoubletakesByCorinne & http://www.onemodelplace.com/photographer_list.cfm?P_ID=3894 a great lady with incredible energy! Anyway this past Sunday they were having a meetup in the park & a bbq. Sounded like fun so after a little reorganizing we managed to get there for a couple of hours...(We being me and my assistant CJ. She is just amazing ~I don't know what I would do with out her)!!

What fun and and a great way to network! I was able to work with two fabulous models ~ Corey http://www.modelmayhem.com/662887 & Goz http://www.modelmayhem.com/242554. Both are incredible and great fun to shoot.

Here are a few from the morning

~ Corey ~

~Goz ~

We were able to get away this past holiday weekend to Roosevelt Lake. Thanks to Ralph & Virginia for having an open campsite for us. Spent each day, all day long, on the lake wakeboarding, kneeboarding and hanging out. Was able to try wakeboarding behind a tower-wow! much easier to get up! (Thanks Tom for giving us the chance to try that). Now if I could feel my shoulder and straighten my arm soon it would be nice. Maybe I need to start weight training or something~problem probably is I am not quite as young as I think I am??
Our site was nice with great views, but a little hike down to the water.





I took Gizmo walking in the mornings and grabbed a couple of shots here and there of the camping area. This one is processed with a new photoshop action - kind of a HDR look to it (High Dynamic Range). What do you think??





This one also processed with a new action...I am on the fence with this painting look and may have to try it on some other images to decide if I like it or not. What do you think??

New blog page style

Well I have jumped into the blogging page hidden behind the page details and been completely lost numerous times. I think the people who write computer code must have a brain addition or something. It just doesn't come naturally or really any way at all to me.
After many trials and errors and much help from tutorials over at the DGRIN forum - http://www.dgrin.com/ I have managed to build a new page. Let me know what you think!! (There is a comment section under each blog - or at least there was if I haven't written over it in computer code and lost it)
I have also figured out a new way to upload pictures to this blog...now when you click on the picture here it sends you over to that picture gallery in my website. (here is where you can oohh and aaahhhh as well as say wow)

Trying it all out with this entry and a snapshot I captured the other day. The first baby quail I have seen this year. They were following along behind their parents when our big dog walked up and scattered them. This little guy finally worked up the nerve to venture out and go find the others. So cute & tiny!!!

Well, I see from date of last post that I have been very lax on blogging. Will work on changing that!! First off I hope 2009 is not as bad for all as the news wants to make it out to be. Only time will tell but I will continue to think the sky is not falling and life is good. I am a firm believer of what you put out is what you get back...

On to photographic endeavors~ I have really taken an interest in the photojournalistic style of photography and want to explore that avenue. (Photographing in a candid, documentary style. Working in an unobtrusive manner capturing real moments as they happen. Telling a story). I am now on the look for possible shoots/models-interested send me an email! Amanda@behindthezoom.com

Took a break from work for a photo expedition not so long ago with my friend Tami ~Tamra Oellig of http://www.seaofserendipity.com/ to the Tohono Chul park. http://www.tohonochulpark.org/ a wonderful desert garden oasis you can tour through and a superb luncheon spot!!

While touring the park one had to notice ~ Spring has sprung in the desert!

Tami captured this of me with my Sigma 70-200 2.8. Really think this is an exceptional lens for the money. Slightly heavier then I would prefer but still loving it. I tried it out at CJ's volleyball games and wow! I was able to get quite a few nice images in the dark, dimly lit gyms.

More to come from this lens I am sure. Despite the weight it is becoming one of my favorites.