Amy Sandoval Photography

The Debut of the New Amy Sandoval Photography Blog

It's been a great run here with Typepad, but it was time for the debut of a blog that would allow me to go big - really big! - with photos. I'm thrilled with the look of the new blog - larger photos, cool colors and a flash header to really show the diversity of images I have the pleasure of shooting.

The new blog is located at http://www.amysandovalphotography.com/blog

Get ready to bookmark it - I'm also going to try to do some neat new things with it - a few photo tips here and there and lots more updates for past, present and future clients.

Wedding Sneak Peek

I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of "A" and "A" a couple of weeks ago - two beautiful individuals who had a moving ceremony at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Virginia Beach. The ceremony was spoken in their native language as well as English.The bride's beautiful details - lace gloves, lace-tipped veil and gorgeous jewelry went perfectly with her layered-tull dress.

To the happy couple, congratulations and enjoy your sneak preview!

Love this shot from the ceremony of the bride's beautiful hands holding the candle.

Got several shots of her veil and hair - the updo was perfect!

Always love the "kiss the bride" shots!

So playful with one another!

Love how you can see her personality in this one!

Their first dance at the reception at the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center.

Holding hands.

One of the detail shots from their reception - love this beautiful cake.

Close-up of cake details.
      

Sandbridge Beach Wedding

It was a real pleasure to photograph this Sandbridge beach wedding a couple of weeks ago. The sneak preview was tough to put together - there are so many fun, beautiful photos of this beautiful couple and their family and friends. We started by capturing as many family photos as possible - as this was an opportunity for the bride and groom's families to get together, have some fun and witness their beautiful beach-front ceremony.

So, without further ado, here are your sneak peek photos - to the beautiful bride and groom, hope you enjoy these photos and I look forward to sharing the entire gallery with you soon!

The bride's beautiful hair - I wanted to give this photo some texture to set off the beautiful tones.

A moment during the ceremony - again, this version of the photo has texture. The bride and groom will also receive the non-textured version. A beach wedding offers an opportunity to capture some interesting perspectives since you can walk around the ceremony.

Their joy-filled kiss in black and white.

Also loved this photo in vintage tones - the tones work beautifully with the white clothing.

The new family - love those happy smiles!

These two were also a joy to photograph!

Post-ceremony smiles - at the water's edge.

Had to share one of the group shots - a memorable reunion to remember for many years to come!

Love this shot of the two of them with the full moon behind them. Many of their relationship milestones were also marked by a full moon.     

The senior session in which I got my nephew in trouble with the police.

Meet my super-cool nephew, Travis - he's from Alabama, y'all, and he's got a slight southern drawl to prove it. This guy is the real deal. I've never met a nicer, more genuine teen. This kid - also so witty - seriously. He's that somewhat quiet guy who occasionally just drops the best line of the day into a conversation as if it's the easiest thing in the world.

Also, while he was staying with us a couple of weeks ago, he introduced me to the song "Handlebars" by the Flobots, and for that, I will forever be grateful. I have hope for the future of America when my 18-year-old nephew is listening to good music.

Travis is heading to the University of Alabama/Huntsville this fall and we are all looking forward to seeing the mark he will make on the world.

We did a couple of mini senior sessions while he was in town a couple of weeks ago. I headed right out to a spot I've been wanting to try for a while now - under the Rudee Inlet Bridge. Who knew about those "No Tresspassing" signs right in that very spot? Well, I sort-of ignored them and right as we were finishing up, an oh-so-friendly police officer on a bicycle kicked us off the bridge pilings.

As the responsible aunt I am, we headed right over to the rocks at Rudee Inlet - another place I've been wanting to try. Dang if there aren't signs there, too. Yes, we took a few photos. We just kept a watchful eye out for the police. And you know - it was worth it. We got some funky, experimental and somewhat masculine shots. The second shoot was not nearly as excited - no cops, no rain, either.

Travis - here's your sneak preview. Can't believe you're off to orientation and college. Congratulations!

Under the bridge:

This is the "not your average" senior portrait - love the moody sky, the way the angle makes his arms and legs look like they go on forever (and they do anyway) and the vintage tones. (The preset used to create this look is called "300" like the movie - you can definitely see the similarities.)

We did a second session to capture more traditional shots. I rarely have to worry about rain for summer sessions, but we had to really work to get these two sessions in the week he was in town.

 

 

Beach Engagement Session

Engagement sessions are absolutely one of my favorite types of sessions to shoot - you get to photograph two people madly in love with one another at one of the most exciting times of their lives. Great combination, right?

I met this fun couple at the Virginia Beach north end for their session. We happened to catch a beautiful sunny day, despite all the recent rain. (Though it was a tad on the humid size - my hair definitely grew "larger" as the session progressed!) The light that evening was just right - so without further ado, here are the sneak previews from the session.

Congratulations to you both and enjoy your destination wedding! Your online gallery is also nearly ready, so stay tuned for that info soon!

One of the final shots of the night - love how the sunlight was making the dune glow behind them.

Engagement sessions are always a good excuse to get some kisses in, too!

Her dress was the perfect choice - the fabric photographed beautifully.

I'm a known sucker for using light in creative ways - so I had to get a few shots of them backlit by the sun. It almost looks like they're in a field here instead of on the dunes!

For other couples thinking about what to wear to an engagement session - here's another great tip from this couple - she wore a casual but flowing summer dress with a simple but colorful pattern. He wore a polo shirt in a similar tone with white shorts - I like how the combination looks elegant but not too formal.

One of the parting-shot moments. The black and white tone really sets a romantic mood here.      

Sandbridge Vacationers

I've lived here all my life, so it's great to interact with families visiting the area. This session was shot in Sandbridge for a family visiting for the week. What a gorgeous and photogenic bunch!

Hope you enjoyed your trip to Sandbridge! Your online album includes lots more choices and will be ready soon!

Love their family shot in black and white - so classic.

Mom and daughter are beautiful together. Love how the white building in the back gives it a slightly old-fashioned feeling.

They were so good about having their photos taken - each one of them. Love those baby blues on each one!

    

The Simplicity of Three Months

This little guy is three months old. I discovered that I really enjoy photographying this age - it's less about props and more about just getting the details of their ever-changing faces and body. And those great, gummy grins have to be captured, too!

I got to know him while doing his mom's maternity session - well, I didn't get to know him, exactly! And then I did his newborn photos. Here I am, back again, with adorable previews from his three-month session. He has amazing blue eyes and a smile that just can't be beat!

Looking forward to seeing him again for the six months session. He changes so much each time! For his mom and dad: Here are sneak peeks - your online album is almost done, too!

Hitching a ride on mom's shoulder and looking at the strange lady with the big attachment (aka camera!) on her face!

Mom began knitting this blanket while he was still in her tummy. It came in handy during the session and the blue was just right with his beautiful blue eyes! This one is one of my favorites, too. I just love the look he's giving me!

Mom knows just what to do to get a gummy grin!

Big sister - who he really favors when I look at the photos closely - was just waking up from an afternoon nap and joined the fun. She's beautiful, too!

Caught a quiet moment on dad's lap just as I was wrapping up the session. Love how content they each look. 

   

The "Beat the Heat" College Graduate Session

A couple of weekends ago - specifically when it was hitting near 100 degrees for several days - I had the pleasure of photographing a college senior. We hit the downtown Norfolk area to capture a cool and somewhat masculine backdrop. He stayed cool and calm throughout the shoot - making my job easy.

And since I don't often have the opportunity to linger (photographing children requires speed as a technical skill!), he was kind enough to let me do a few "fun" shots, using my wide angle lens and experimenting with the light. Here's one such fun shot:

Congratulations and best wishes on all you pursue!

Here's your sneak preview - lots more to come in your online gallery!

 

The session that was re-scheduled and re-scheduled....

Last fall, I tried to get in a beach session with this family. I was only about 1 minute away from Little Island Park in Sandbridge where I shoot beach sessions, when it began to spit rain. Time to reschedule the session. We repeated this several more times in 2007 and 2008. Finally - a couple of weekends ago - we got the session in!

The session was squeezed in among several others, so I am more than a little behind posting their sneak peek - but the good news is that their online gallery will be ready soon! So, to my patient friends, here is your sneak peek!

Couldn't decide if I like this one better in color, or black and white, so both choices will be available in the online gallery!

 

We included the lifeguard stands in this session - and one of the best parts about the stands? Jumping off them, of course!

Something a little different...different types of photo processing are "in" right now - this happens to be one that's pretty popular. Faded colors and darker tones are added along with contrast to give the photo a retro or aged look. I really like how it looks on this photo.    

Fall 2008 Session Update

I can't believe school is out and summer is here.

It's barely summer but it's time to talk about booking your FALL session! Fall sessions book up far in advance. If you would like a session in October or November 2008, contact me right away to schedule it. I am now full for September and I won't be booking any sessions in December. I hate to turn away clients because I'm booked, so if you're thinking about a session, drop me an email or give me a call.

I have holiday card options available year-round and have already started designing Christmas cards for some clients.

Time flies!