Nessa & Dani | Friends Forever Session

this is my first blog post in what seems like forever. it's been almost two weeks, which is close enough. my life has been extremely busy and doesn't seem like it'll be slowing down anytime soon, but i'm doing my best to slow it down some. i'll be limiting the sessions that i can take from here on out (for the rest of 2012) so that i can put forth my best effort to what i do take on! i think that i didn't realize that when they said, "this will be the semester that makes or breaks you!" they meant it. imagine that. ;) that all being said, meet my gorgeous friends! Nessa & Dani are two of the pack of girls that still always seem to get together over holidays and breaks from school. last month we snagged a few photos in the gorgeous weather. kinda fun stuff!








love always, Amelia Renee:)

Rissa

she was born in the land of the dutch...and she looks it.

can't wait to show off my little sister to you guys! we shot a few of her senior what-cha-ma-call-ems and they're burning holes in my computer so i just had to share one.

here ya go, kiddos.

Nick & Rachel | Cedar Falls, IA Engagement Photographer

Nick and Rachel are one of those couples that everyone knows. They're both crazy friendly and outgoing and the sweetest, nicest, most caring people you've ever met! Put them together and it's like mixing cookies & ice cream—double as flavorful, sweet & amazing!
These two met their freshman year at UNI, and became fast friends through activities and campus ministry together. As told by Rachel,  "During Christmas break we made a bet to see who could last longer without shaving. The loser had to take the winner out to eat. So naturally, Nick lost and took me to Panchero's." I'm a fan of that! These two have continued to live life, grow, study and play together (they both worked at a church camp this summer together) and finally, right before school started, Nick took Rachel to the Reiman Gardens in Ames—where he asked her to be his wife! Now they're happily engaged and literally counting down the days via a numbered paper chain in Rachel's dorm room until their May wedding!
It's so apparent that these two are meant for each other. I love watching Nick's tenderness & gentle love towards Rachel. Her eyes light up & her laugh echoes at him, and you can read in silent writing strung between their hearts how much they adore each other. Whoah, gettin' sappy...so I'll just hush & let you see for yourselves!
































Love Always, Amelia Renee:)

Nick & Rachel | Sneak Peek!

tomorrow I'm blogging these two rad kids. psyched.

we have a WINNER!

Contests are always so much fun, and I don't know why I haven't done one on here yet! I had a blast reading through all your comments, and definitely am planning on trying some new fun drinks this week...it's chilly and rainy and altogether perfect for something hot!

I know I promised this post last week, but sometimes life moves more rapidly than planned! One of the mottos that I'm trying to apply to my life is to "Live life as it comes, and it will come to you in great abundance." Less time spent in front of my computer screen is more spent with my family, friends, outdoors or trying a new activity! Give it a try, and you may realize that there are moments you're missing out on that you can't get back—so enjoy them while they're here!

Just to show you what I mean, here's a photo. ;) This gal is my dear friend Ashley who is enrolled at ISU! I went down to Ames all day Friday...and almost left without seeing her. I'm SO glad that I decided to wait the extra few minutes (which turned into an hour...whoops;) to grab dinner with her! We haven't talked in a few months, and it's always so good to re-connect with friends—especially when they're more like sisters!:)

Aaaaaannnyhow. Enough gab! Time to announce the winner of the fall "amelia reaches 100" post! To chose the winner, I wrote out each entry on a piece of paper, cut them in to little strips, and had my sister pullout the name of the winner. So, without further ado:

Drumroll please!

The winner is....

Anna Danforth!

Many of those who entered I don't know personally, but Anna was my high school french teacher and has been such a blessing in my life! She & her husband love the Lord and are planning to move back to Africa with their two adorable munchins to do ministry there! Anna, go ahead & shoot me an email and I'll get your giftcard in the mail!:)

Be on the lookout for more posts this week....

Love Always,

Amelia Renee:)

Amelia Renee is Excited to Announce...!

This is an exciting post for me to write! I can hardly believe that in the little over a year I've been writing and posting to this blog, I've now written 100 posts! In the grand scheme of things, I'm sure that's a minute number....years from now I'll look back & laugh at how silly I was to be excited at such a tiny sum of posts.

But today, I am excited! This is a reason to celebrate—and I never turn down a reason to celebrate! Bring out the party hats, the helium-filled balloons, and loads of glitter. Get ready, 'cause I'm announcing:

A GIVEAWAY! 

I love hot drinks in fall & winter, and so today I'm giving away a $10 Starbucks giftcard. It's not much, but hey, I'm a college student too! ;) You can take your best friend out for coffee...or maybe that cute girl you've been wanting to get to know better, or even surprise someone who has been having a rough week with a little pick-me-up from Starbs! However you want to spend it, it's yours...if you win!

So, how do you win? It's simple. Easy as pie!

All you have to do is comment below in the comment box (only one time, please!) and tell me your favorite hot fall drink, from Starbucks or anywhere else! All entries received before tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7:59 PM CST will be entered in to a random drawing for the giftcard, and the winner will be announced later this week!

So, go! Comment below, share this blog post with friends and tell them to comment as well! (If they win, maybe they'll share!) Also, if you haven't liked my photography page do so (before you comment!) and tell me that in your comment, and you'll be entered again into the drawing! Finally, if you have twitter, tweet with this link (http://tinyurl.com/9m366y6) to the blog post, telling people about this little contest with the hashtag #ameliareaches100!

Simple enough, right? :)

As one might say, 

May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor!

Amelia Renee:)

First Friday Favorites | October

October kinda snuck up on me (and I almsot forgot to do this post, thanks to it starting on a Monday!) buut I didn't. Whew! ;) So glad I didn't, because it's one of my very favorite months (lots of dear people's birthdays...hi mom!) and full of some of my favorite activities: high school homecoming, trips to the pumpkin patch, and friends coming back home on fall break! But enough chatter, here are 5 of my favorite October things!

1. Bonfires! We have the perfect backyard for throwing fall parties, and it's definitely a highlight of my fall to set up, make up some hot cider, and invite a crowd of friends over for a cool marshmallow roasting under the autumnal country stars. 2. Changing leaves. Who doesn't love that, though? :) 3. Candy Corn! I hear a lot of people don't like one of my favorite fall candies. Doesn't bother me, though—that way there is more for me! 4. Sweaters..in particular, this J.Crew one. Especially when there is a good fall sale going...I'm helpless, what can I say? 5. MAIN EVENT! By far my favorite activity this month has to offer! Only two weeks, and I'll be squealing and hugging people like a crazed One Direction fan. Times a million. (That's for you, Jess! ;)

That's it for today! If you have a minute, why not comment below & tell me what you're looking forward to this month? I'd love to get to know my readers better! :)

Love Always,

Amelia Renee:)

Amanda & Mitch | 2012 Wedding | Cedar Falls, IA Wedding Photographer

For better or worse, till death do us part
I'll love you with every beat of my heart I Swear— John Michael Montgomery Amanda and Mitch. Mitch and Amanda. For as long as I've known them (or at least as far back as I remember!) their names have been inseparable. And finally, just a few weeks ago, their names became permanently linked, for the rest of their lives! It was a day that not only they, but both families and many good friends had anticipated for a long time. When it finally turned from "someday" to "today"—it couldn't have been more perfect! Amanda worked so hard, planning all sorts of lovely details to make their wedding day come together in the theme of fall, and I have to say, it was perfect! From the handmade boutonnières to the bridemaids' bouquets to the reception decorations, everything was beautiful & "fall-ish!" I hope you enjoy a small peek inside my favorite fall wedding! ;D

Amanda had such a fun bunch of ladies to accompany her on her day! I definitely made the most of it. ;)
ceremony time: finally! Mitch's eyes were locked on his bride...
and Amanda just glowed!
love this moment between Amanda and her sister Annie. Right after signing the certificate of marriage...it's sinking in!
close your eyes! here comes the kiss! ;D MARRIED! I love that they chose to have bubbles as their getaway favor!
we snuck up to the campus where they fell in love to grab some portraits (my favorite part of the wedding day!)


fav.or.ite! I love how much they love each other. I think they're kiiinda happy to be married, too. :D





reception time! Annie gave a sweet speech & it choked Amanda up a lil' bit. Awww! I love sister moments.






Amanda and Mitch, thank you. You two deserve the best in life & that includes love...and I think you both are perfect for each other! I'm so excited to watch your love continue to grow & blossom over the years!  Love Always, Amelia Renee:)

Jeff & Judy | Married Love

Many of you most likely do not recognize the two smiling faces below, but I know them very, very well. They're the first faces I recognized, the ones I am able to read in two seconds & know if everything is right or not, and typically the last ones I see every night. These two lovebirds are my parents, and today they celebrate 24 years of marriage! They're amazing people. I wish that each & every one of you reading this could have the chance to know them. They are full of wisdom and knowledge and love.  Although there are days where I would have told you "my parents are dumb! they don't understand! what do they know about being a teenager?!"...they aren't. They're actually really, really smart. ;)

I mean, obviously. They had me for their daughter, & firstborn at that! I think that's the smartest move they've made yet! ;D
My college friends are always commenting on how sweet my parents are. It's really true! But I haven't always appreciated them like I should. However, living at home post-highschool was probably one of the best choices I could have made. Because of the past 2.5 years, I have gotten to know my parents so much better, seen more of their daily lives, watched them grow deeper in their faith, and become more comfortable in sharing my personal life with them.

In return, they've continued to show me love & grace. They forgive when I am wrong, when I act out, or don't wash the dishes. My dad puts up with my cuddles & pokes, and my mom is always there to listen & give advice.  They're wonderful, really.

[oh hai, puppies! these are our slobber-machines, Rho & Chi.]

Dad & Mom, thank you for everything you've done for our family & continue to do! You've been nothing but an amazing testament to Christ's love for His church through your marriage, and your willingness to serve is something I'm still learning. I love you both so much! love always, Amelia Renee:)