Kids, Kids, KIDS

Just a preview of whats to come. Lots and lots of cute kiddos to hit the blog shortly!

Contest!

So I'm sitting here making my grocery list because we have NOTHING right now. I am at a loss. I feel like we eat a lot of the same stuff lately. I want to "spice" things up a bit in the kitchen and for you faithful followers out there so I decided to run a contest. This idea seriously just came to me less than 5 minutes ago. I am pretty fly by the seat of my pants so this should be fun. This has NOTHING to do with photography but another love of mine! FOOD!!!

I want your recipe's. What is your favorite?

It must be something that doesn't cost me a fortune to make, hours to prepare, and it has to be a main course. It can be a meat, casserole, soup, whatever. Just something that could be a main course. Share your family's secret recipe (I won't tell), your quick fix meal, something that will make my mouth water! All recipe's must be submitted by this Sunday at midnight.

I'll pick the 5 that sound most appealing to me and make them over the course of the next couple of weeks with your recipe and a photo of it posted on my blog.

Who will judge these prize winning dishes?? My husband. He loves food almost as much as I do. I won't tell him who submitted the recipe so it will be all about the meal. I'd consider myself a good cook. Don't worry, I won't screw up your dish! :) P.S. He doesn't really love vegetables, liver, or ranch dressing--just a couple of hints for you.

Whats in it for you??

The winner gets a 50.00 print credit towards their next scheduled photo session! That's right! Fifty dollars in free prints!


To submit your recipe, send me an email at amycloudphotography@hotmail.com



And because a post is way more fun with a picture...I snapped this of my nephew T.J. a few nights ago. He LOVES his bike. Doesn't he look like a future BMX pro or XGames champ? My husband Tony was the Western United States Amateur Champion when he was a kid. It's in TJ's blood. I'd say he has a good chance!

Half Off Session Fee!!!

I'll be in the Midwest this coming weekend and will have some free time on Monday morning before I fly back to Utah. Because I can't stand to sit and do nothing with myself, I am offering a huge deal!

The first person who contacts me for a portrait session for this coming Monday, will get half off the sitting fee. The session must take place in Omaha and before noon. Portrait sessions consist of a baby, child, family (limit of 6 members), senior, maternity, or engagement shoot.

Please email me at amycloudphotography@hotmail.com to take advantage of this amazing deal!

Before & After

So I know it's been about a week since my last blog post. I've already had 2 people ask me "what's up with that?" Bottom line. I am trying to get sessions edited for ordering before I blog or post on Facebook. While at the same time I am hoarding my blog posts--yes hoarding--because I want to save them for something new and exciting I have coming up. Should only be a week or two. I have a couple of surprises in the works but this one has been a LONG time comin'.

Until then, here is something to tide you over. A before and after of cute little Zackary! He knows kung-fu! Watch your back! :)

Little bit of cropping, de-fogging, and color pop! Voila!!!

Proud to be an American

From the back seat of the boat I watched him as he peered over his shoulder every few seconds, looking up into the sky with a smile on his face. As I watched him, I secretly cried behind my three dollar Miley Cyrus sunglasses. It was a good cry though. One full of pride. I tried not to cry, I wanted to play it cool. But I have a big heart and just a few moments before, the strings attached to the bottom of it were violently yanked on and the flood gates came open. He didn't see me cry. Phew---he teases me for being so soft but also tells me how much he loves me for that.



I quickly wiped the tears that had managed to run down under my glasses and replayed what I had just witnessed in my head for the 3rd or 4th time. I know that he must have been too because every time he turned around, I am sure that he was praying for the jets to fly by again.



It was Monday, the day after the 4th of July. We had spent the weekend at Lake Powell in Southern Utah. We were tired, sun burnt, and bruised, but as we headed back to the marina to load the boat, we took in the last few miles of beautiful scenery we had been a part of all weekend. As I started to doze off on the squishy back seat, the relaxing peace was put to a halt by a very excited husband.



"LOOK BABE, LOOK AT THE JETS!"



At that moment, two very handsome USAF fighter jets flew over top of us down through the canyon. Twisting and turning. It was almost as if they were playing a game of tag. The were so close to us, maybe 60 yards above us. And so loud. Nellis AFB in Las Vegas is not far from Lake Powell, and from what I understand, the pilots will fly through the twists and turns of the lake's steep canyons for practice.



It was an amazing site. I couldn't help but smile watching them and feeling proud to be an American. This minor event in my life is one that I will never forget. I hope you all had a safe and happy 4th of July weekend!