Amy Close Photography

SAMUELSON FAMILY | PORTLAND FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY

Amy Close-Pepe — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:49:33 +0000

Spring has sprung and so have the days of weather ups and downs, sunshine teasers, and random storms. Only 3 days ago, it was a warm and eventually sunny day, that I and the Samuelsons tried to take full advantage of! We couldn’t have lucked out more that day and they deserved every bit of it. This family was so nice to work with while Siena (4 1/2) and Gabriel (21 months) gave me quite the show! The Samuelson family came to me via my *debut* in the Oregonian this past fall, which makes putting myself out there (and ON VIDEO ack!) all worth it. As we were leaving, Siena said to me, “I don’t know what I will do without you, Amy”. I think that might be the single most amazing thing a client has ever said to me, even if she is only 4 1/2! Thank you to all four of them for their support of (my) local business and for such a fun and outgoing photo session! Enjoy.

If you haven’t already, please click on that tiny “like” button over there on the right to become a fan on Facebook! You will keep current on posts, promos, and giveaways! I appreciate your support. Thank you.Siena brought her princess dress and glass slippers for the end of the session….I am SO glad that she did!Princess Siena was serving me blue cheese sandwiches on this bark *platter*.

GROWING UP | LIFE OF JOE

Amy Close-Pepe — Mon, 20 May 2013 05:35:13 +0000

On Friday, I had my backdrop out for some product photos I was doing and somehow convinced Joe (aka, bribed him) to let me do a *studio photo* of him. As you can see, he was having a Bob Dylan kind of hair day! I almost hardly recognize him anymore, as my baby is turning into a little boy. SLOW DOWN TIME!!

BUG PARTY FOR JOE-BUG | LIFE OF JOE

Amy Close-Pepe — Sun, 19 May 2013 22:21:10 +0000

Before Joe was Joe, when Tony and I only had guesses about whether it would be a boy or a girl, our growing baby belly was called “bug”. Actually, it was “baby bug” since Tony and I always called each other Bug. My shower was a “baby bug” shower and since the day he was born, he became “Joe Bug”. So….it was QUITE ironic that my little bug wanted (unsolicited) to have a bug-themed birthday party. It all stemmed from a “Bug Mountain” birthday cake he saw in a book. I had thought he would choose the fire truck cake, since he’s so into being a fireman right now, but nope! He wanted the ugliest and grossest BUG cake, out of all the cakes in the book. I was happy to oblige because it’s more fun to have a bug party than you would think. On his birthday, May 3rd, a few of Joe’s best bugs, I mean friends, from school and the neighborhood came to partake in the Bug Mania. We not only had the bug cake (which changed in design a little bit from the one in the book), but there was a Bug Hunt with bug bungalows and magnifiers, Bug Tattoos, Pin the Antenna on the Bug, Gunny Sack Races (which have nothing to do with bugs, but I found them at this salvage yard for super cheap and thought it would be fun), Worms on a Stick, and instead of party hats, Antenna! Oh…and no Bug Party would be complete without Ants on a Log. Heh heh. Joe came equipped with his Bug Wrangler safari vest and in the end…I’m pretty sure a good time was had by all. We had a GORGEOUS Friday afternoon, the first time we’ve had weather like that on his birthday, which had everyone in a cheerful mood and allowed us to be in the backyard the entire party. IT. WAS. FUN. I hope you enjoy the photos…

The first photo is really the last photo I took of the day, after everyone had gone home and the sun was setting. It’s the quintessential photo of Joe in all his Joe Bugness. ”These are magic years…and therefore magic days…and therefore magic moments.” —Anonymous

Let the Bug Bash Begin….A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO KATIE ANDERSON FOR HELP WITH CAPTURING THE CAKE CEREMONY!!To end…another quintessential photo of my avid reader. All the presents are opened and toys are out, but he prefers to sit on his own with a good book. Gotta love that!

I wanted to include this year’s (sample taken from) Joe’s 20 Questions (see last year’s here for comparison). This year, I made them into Thank You cards, which was fun, and am now considering offering this as a mini-session/product package. Let me know if you are interested.

RENCHER FAMILY | PORTLAND FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY

Amy Close-Pepe — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:32:32 +0000

Yes, believe it or not, it was sunny and warm (80 something) less than a week ago and a perfect day for family photos! The Rencher’s live just about 2 minutes from this gorgeous park; an ideal place for Uliana (4 1/2) and Nicholai (14 months) to frolic and play. In fact, they exhibited extreme patience and restrain, while getting through our session, before mom let them loose onto the playground. Yay! They were both very sweet and perfect angels…and the kids did pretty dang good too. Heh heh. Enjoy.

LUKE 6 MONTHS | PORTLAND BABY PHOTOGRAPHER

Amy Close-Pepe — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:49:15 +0000

Little Luke is 6 months old now and more handsome than ever! You all know by now that I LOVE the 6 month session; I’m pretty sure it’s my all time favorite. I mean, what’s better than a super smiley baby, who can sit up on their own, but can’t crawl or run away from you yet!? It’s picture perfect! Luke strikes me as an old soul who was hardly impressed with what I was trying to do during our session. We had our ups and down that morning; we laughed, we cried, he rolled his eyes at me a few times, posed for me, at one point fell asleep (out of boredom I’m sure), and…the best part…we hugged (did you see that photo on facebook?). It was a true bonding experience. Until next time Luke…. Enjoy.

If you didn’t get a chance to see the photos of me working with (and hugging) Luke last week, please click on that tiny “like” button over there on the right to become a fan on Facebook. You will keep current on posts, promos, and giveaways! I appreciate your support. Thank you.

SPRING FESTIVAL | LIFE OF JOE

Amy Close-Pepe — Thu, 09 May 2013 02:28:38 +0000

On Saturday, We Gathered Together to watch 12 beautiful children sing and dance around the maypole in celebration of spring. Adorned in flower crowns, made by the loving hands of mamas (and some dads too), the children wore bells on their ankles, smiles on their faces and their best “uniforms” (as Joe called it) to thank Mother Earth for this beautiful weather we have been having and the other spring fruits of her labor. Could anything be more adorable and sweet?! After the performance, the parents got to take a turn around the maypole, followed by an amazing and delicious Mexican/Cinco de Mayo themed feast, and to-die-for strawberry shortcake, that the children had prepared in school the day before. It was a very warm day inside (our hearts) and out! Enjoy.

SOPHIA TURNS 3 | PORTLAND BIRTHDAY PARTY PHOTOGRAPHY

Amy Close-Pepe — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:12:17 +0000

Birthday party season is in full swing now! Little Sophia warmly welcomed me to her party. She took my hand and led the way to the Richard Scarry Busytown fest that was happening out on her back deck. Adorable! Sophia couldn’t have asked for a better celebration; complete with pizza, cake, candy, beanbag toss, presents, and THE SUNSHINE!! What a day! That’s one lucky little girl. Enjoy.

Do you have a child’s birthday coming up? Don’t forget to become a fan on Facebook to keep current on posts, promos, updates, and giveaways! Just click on the *like* button in the box to the right! Thank you.

ZOEY | PORTLAND PET PHOTOGRAPHY

Amy Close-Pepe — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 06:50:43 +0000

Meet Zoey, half lab-half German shepherd, happy as a pig in you know what! She was so funny…I mean just look at her, she was literally smiling for me in almost all her photos. Sometimes it’s just not polite to talk about age, but this ole’ gal is growing a little grey these days and moving just a wee bit slower. I can relate! Zoey has had a tiny roller coaster ride in the health arena lately. She is currently doing well, so what better time to capture her essence in photos and give her mama-owner something she will treasure forever. This was such a fun shoot! It’s amazing the personality animals can have. Enjoy.

Do you have a pet you would love photos of? Don’t forget to become a fan on Facebook to keep current on posts, promos, updates, and giveaways! Just click on the *like* button in the box to the right! Thank you.

NILAH 6 MONTHS | PORTLAND BABY PHOTOGRAPHY

Amy Close-Pepe — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 04:46:48 +0000

Nilah Jo. Seriously. So. Stinkin’. Cute. With her fuzzy hair, bumblebee outfit, and babiators…get out of here! This little girl had me at hello when I did her newborn photos, but she made my heart grow three sizes (what’s with all the movie references-sheesh) on Saturday, when I saw her again. I think it might have just a *little* bit to do with how much I adore her mom and dad too! I missed out this time, by not making the trip to Corvallis…no pastries, cappuccinos, or little sandwiches at this photo session, but we still had SO much fun and made the most out of the bizarre weather we were having. I’ve been singing Spanish nursery songs in my head for the last 3 days! Sweet Nilah Jo. I can’t wait to see you all again. Enjoy.

More cute baby photos coming up! Don’t forget to become a fan on Facebook to keep current on posts, promos, updates, and giveaways! Just click on the *like* button in the box to the right! Thank you.

JANUARY STILL EXPECTING | PORTLAND MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHY

Amy Close-Pepe — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 06:28:08 +0000

You may remember January’s pregnancy announcement post, then fast forward 4 1/2 months, and here we are today! For me it went by so fast, for January…maybe not so much. I think she is ready now and there is still 2 months to go! And so…the waiting game begins. Hang in there mama! She is looking absolutely gorgeous (as she always does) and she is such a good mommy to Elliot (as you can see here). I am positively certain this new baby boy is the luckiest little fella that there ever will be! Enjoy.

Are you expecting? Don’t forget to become a fan on Facebook to keep current on promos, updates, and giveaways! Just click on the *like* button in the box to the right! Thank you.