Weekend-ing || Ledges State Park || Ames, IA Photographer

sometimes, one of your best friends comes to visit for the weekend, and consequentially, all responsibilities are put on hold while time stops and instead you breathe in the vitamin D that your body has lacked for so long. 

windows down in the car, petting strangers' dogs and "parkour!"-ing off of trees work magic to shed the skin of winter from your soul. beautiful creations basking in the beauty of creation—these are snapshots of life. 

Audrey | Anytime Portraits | Ames Portrait Photographer

the sun is shining down
i'm looking all around
and this is just so beautiful
this is just so beautiful || jenny & tyler

 

This gal is full of love and life. These photos are proof of that—it was a freeeezing day in the middle of February and she still let me chase the sunlight for twenty minutes, even though she couldn't move her fingers for at least that long afterwards! Audrey is my roommate this year & one of the greatest parts of this adventure called college is living with her. She's got big dreams and ideas for her future, and I have no doubts that they'll be answered in amazing ways! 

Audrey | Anytime Portraits | Ames, Iowa Portrait Photographer

Life is more fun with a roommate that blesses your socks off everyday. Audrey exudes love & it shows.

More coming soon. 

Kelsey + Katie | Roommate Session | Iowa State Campus

Before I came to Iowa State, I'd heard stories and seen photos of a gal named Kelsey.  She lived up to my expectations (exceeded them, actually!) and over the course of time I was also introduced to her roommate and live-in-best-friend, Katie J.  These two girls are full of fire & fun!  If you need to laugh, cry, or to do both simultaneously—find these two and you'll be set.  For life.

Kelsey and Katie both love dancing, Jesus, people, laughter, and of course, they both share gorgeous copper locks!  Although it runs in my family, I wasn't gifted with the lovely red hair of my mother, grandmother, and cousins.  But I still believe that I have a little bit of ginger soul in me;) Which comes out even more when I'm around these gals! Haha.  Anyhow, to the point...these photos were taken on an unusually warm day in December around finals, when I needed to get out and shoot.
I love what we captured!

Iowa State is one of the most beautiful schools, and I am always excited to do a session! Shoot me an email if you are looking for a friend, roommate, engagement or even a senior session on campus. Spring is just around the corner!

Love always,

Amelia Renee :)

Australia | Part One | Personal

Australia. The Land Down Under, where supposed wallabies and koalas run rampant. 

Continent-country and home of the Sydney Opera House (also, the place of Nemo's tank, amiright?!)

And, let me say, I never would have thought I'd actually see the day I'd step foot on this magical land. But then, life throws some curveballs and God works some wonders and next thing you know, your childhood friend is engaged to an Australian chap and wants you to be there when they covenant to walk together for the rest of their days. And to say no would just be, well, silly!

So, almost-last-day of the year and you, your mother, and favorite sister step foot from snowy Iowa into the airport.  (It only takes you 6 hours to get to Minnesota instead of the planned three, thanks to icy plane issues, so you spend the night in a hotel in the land of snow instead of making it to LA and out of the country.) Eventually, though, you make it through all the required step and set food—tired and SO READY TO SHOWER. In Australia. AUSTRALIA!

in the airport—before we knew that we'd miss our first (and rest) of our flights.

Day One in Australia! They kept us moving by taking us to an animal reserve. So much fun!

I'm excited to share more (eventually) of our trip to the Land of Awesome!

Love,

Amelia