Thompson Family | Ames Family Portrait Photographer | Ada Hayden

I don't remember the taste
of sweet strawberry summertime
completely grey
without you in it
the world just wasn't the same
I Know What the World was Like || Alli Rogers

Last fall, I got a sweet surprise when the Thompsons emailed me and asked if I was available to do their family photos. I was even more delighted when they asked for updated family photos this fall! To me, family portraits should happen more often—especially with growing kiddos. Last year, baby Ben was just a month or so old. This year, he's all grown up at 1 and cooing and smiling to get any attention he can away from his older sisters! Which, by the way, are two of the sweetest girls in the Ames area. ;)




















If you live in the Ames or Cedar Falls areas, I'd love to talk with you about updating your family photos! No time is better than now…especially since pricing will be going up at the end of the year. [Spoiler: that also means new and fun things ahead!] Email ameliareneephoto (at) gmail.com :)

Love always,

Amelia

Nelson Family | Jacksonville Beach Family Mini-Session

I've known the Nelson's before most- if not all!- of their kiddos were born.  Back in the days of learning about photography, I took Toby's 4 year old photos…look how time has flown! It was a fun adventure to head to the beach with this family of five, and run around in the sand for a short while before a TORRENTIAL downfall! Maybe someday we'll actually get in a full family session;)

If you're looking for some family photos in the Ames or Cedar-Loo, Iowa areas, look no further! I would love to play with your family & do something you enjoy while capturing memories to keep for a lifetime. Shoot me an email to talk about openings & details!

Love Always, 

Amelia Renee :)

Family Portraits | Hansen Family | Waverly, IA

'Tis the week before Christmas...and also the week of finals! Here at Iowa State, 23/7 quiet hours are in effect, hot chocolate & coffee is being drunk 'round the clock, and students are still putting off studying for that last final they have coming up this week. ;)

Since I'm possibly in that boat (just kidding, mom!), what better to do than post a sampling of the photos I captured over Thanksgiving break of the Hansen family?!  Katie is a photographer herself, and so it was definitely a sweet surprise when she emailed me & requested that I do photos of her family!  They were so much fun and I loved exploring Waverly (it's such a fun little town) while we were there.

 

Love Always,Amelia Renee:)

Thompson Family | Stuart Smith Park | Ames Portrait & Family Photographer

you're my favorite part 
of this story
so tell it again,
and again, to me

tell it again || jj heller

The best kind of people are the ones that make you feel right at home—no matter where you are.  The Thompson family did just that for me.  Erin emailed me after finding my blog online, querying if I was available to do a family session...in Ames!  Of course I said yes, and we set up a time to meet a few weeks back.

The Thompson family is full of sugar & spice & ideas about the world through little girls' eyes.  Abigail and Elizabeth warmed up to me so quickly, and we enjoyed the fall sunshine & leaves alllll over the ground!  Baby Benjamin made sure we didn't forget about him, too!  He's probably the most loved little brother in Ames:)

Thompson crew, it was a true treat to spend my afternoon playing in the park with you.  Thank you for encouraging me in so many ways!  It means more than words can express that you would trust a complete stranger with capturing your family's photos, so that in 10 years you can look back on "the days of diapers, sticky fingers, and sloppy wet kisses" and see the faces of your most loved ones & all the memories they remember.  Your family holds so many beautiful stories, and I'm thankful to have been part of one on a windy October afternoon! 

Love always,
Amelia Renee:)

Grady Family | Fall Family Mini-Session

This family has grown to be so near to my heart. If I was still at home, I'd probably beg them to let me watch their kids because I think they are pretty much the coolest! ;) I've actually only known these five since this summer, when the Weimer family was staying with them...and we ended up hanging out all the time! Athena saw my post on instagram about family mini-sessions & didn't waste any time asking me to include them. Of course I said yes to that!

The way this family loves each other is so evident, and I just love each personality these kids bring to the table! I feel like they definitely show through the photos—Addison's sweet & sass, Lucas' gentle self, and Dawson's uber-goober silliness! Thank you so much for trusting me with your family's photos and always being so supportive. Squeeze those kiddos tight for me! :)

Sesterhenn Family | Cedar Falls Family Mini-Session

Wayyy back in my youth, the Sesterhenn family moved down our street, and blessed our family big time! My sister and I had new friends to play with, my mom had someone to borrow flour from (or mainly just to walk with in the mornings;) and the neighborhood was filled with more joy and laughter than before.

Although our family has since moved out of the city proper, we've haven't forgotten this wonderful crew! So I was extremely excited to see an email in my inbox from Lisa, asking if I had a spot for them in my fall mini-sessions. These five (plus Daisy Mae) were so fun to hang out with on the most gorgeous fall afternoon. Thanks for rocking your session, Sesterhenns! :)

let's enjoy fall....together!

fall is here.

somehow, she snuck in through the open window while summer danced out the door on a warm breeze. and autumn is already seizing her opportunities to decorate the browning, crunchy grass with even crunchier leaves and the skies with silhouettes of birds flying southward each evening.

autumn is full of both sugar and spice, exemplified in every pumpkin spice latte bought while wearing your warmest cardigan. she brings hours of family fun and bonding—regardless if you spend it raking leaves, picking apples for homemade cider, or cheering on your latest rookie football star on friday nights.

this beautiful season manifests herself in every nook & cranny of your life, but she doesn't stay for near as long as you think she will. 

that's why I'm helping you enjoy the gorgeous fall weather, your family & your favorite sweater with fall family mini-sessions! they're the perfect way to spend some time together and get a head start on a family photo for that christmas card. (you know they always sneak up on you!) 

details are below—please shoot me an email or a phone call if you are interested in grabbing a spot! let's take some time, spending it outside in the glorious beauty of fall, with the ones you love the most, while this season lasts:)

Ganfield Family | Cedar Falls, IA Family Photographer

Families can be easy or super hard to shoot...and I've been super blessed with amazing clients! The Ganfield family is like awesomesauce in a box. On a stick!!! ('Cause everything is better on a stick, right?!) On second thought, that sounds kind of strange. ;) But you get the point. This family is made up of two loving, gentle, kind, amazing parents & two even crazier, giggle-ier, adorable kiddos! We had a super fun evening chilling, snuggling, tickling, and playing in the lovely golden fall sunshine—check it! Here are some of my personal favorites:)



















Love Always, Amelia Renee:)