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Amanda Blythe Photography bio picture

Welcome to my Blog!

Hello all!  My name is Amanda Ratcliff and I am the photographer of Amanda Blythe Photography.  A small fact you may be wondering about is “Blythe.”  Blythe is my middle name, also a family name that goes way back on my mother’s side of the family.  I hope you enjoy navigating through the site and more than anything, are able to see my heart here.  I believe that when you view different photos, you can always see a bit of the personality of the photographer.  I have quickly developed such a passion for this very interesting art form.

 

 

            I love to catch a mother and child in a loving embrace or right when she kisses their cheek in that sweet moment.  Or when I tell the parents with small children, “Ok, it’s a wrap!  I think we’ve got enough pictures for this session.”  The children scream with excitement because now they can run wild and play without having to worry about getting their little clothes dirty.  That is the image I want to capture – the real happiness of a child – the parents running after them.  These are the things parents will want to remember for years to come.

 

 

            I also love the thought of shooting the “in love” couple – whether newly engaged, newlywed or many years into their relationship; to be able to capture those in love, in the moment shots is something that excites me, the frame where the man gently kisses his love on the shoulder as if to say, “I’m here for you… forever.”  To see that love on camera is a thing of wonder.

 

 

            I am a mother of one beautiful daughter, Abrielle Lynn.  She is full of spunk and charm.  So when I am taking pictures, I imagine what will capture people as they are.  Whatever beautiful personality it may be, it is my job to catch it!  I want to accentuate the positivity in people and see the joy in their eyes.

 

 

            More than any of this, my passion for photography is something that I fully recognize was given to me from the Lord, Jesus.  He is the One who put this excitement and passion here.  He is my Father and without Him, I could do nothing.  With that being said, many thanks go to my Savior, without whom none of this would be possible.

 

 

                                                                                    Much love,

 

 

                                                                                    Amanda

 

My Sister’s [Loving Family] Session

Friday, November 6, 2009 Posted in A Bit More Personal, Little One's Session, Loving Family Session

HEY EVERYONE OUT THERE!!!!  YAY!  It’s Friday!  Thank God it’s Friday!  I’m so stoked that later today I get to go on a Bridal Session for one of my bride’s… that will be fun.  Busy weekend of sessions for me, but I”M EXCITED!  Maybe I’m using so many exclamation points because of the strong cup a joe I had a little while ago.  hehe  ;o)

Ok, back to the point….  Not too long ago, I had a free day to shoot with my sister, Jennifer and her husband, Kirk and their newly adopted son, Lincoln Paul!  Lincoln is such a sweetheart and has been such a blessing to my sister and bro-in-law.  They have been trying to have a child for a long time now, and finally God opened the door for them to have their very own son.  I’m so happy for them right now, this is a very exciting time in their lives right now.  ALSO…. they are now pregnant!  Jennifer is pregnant with twins… actually got pregnant right around the same time that Lincoln was born.  So they’ll have 3 children under the age of 9 months!  How crazy is that?  They were already planning to go through with IUI [Inter Uterine Insemination] before they ever found out about Lincoln, but they decided to take on the challenge of having Lincoln as well and this has been nothing but a blessing for them.  Jennifer and Kirk look happier now than they have ever looked and Jennifer is just glowing.  [those pregnancy hormones sure do work wonders!]  Enough jibber jabbering – but these photos that you’ll see, includes Jen and Kirks whole new family, Jennifer, Kirk, Lincoln, and in Jen’s belly are the twins!!!  So, enjoy!

xoxo

Amanda

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by Amanda

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[Finally Graduate] Session – Curry

Wednesday, November 4, 2009 Posted in Finally Graduates Session

Hey all!  Well, I’m pretty stoked about this session that I’m about to post.  Curry is about to be a graduating Yellow Jacket [my alma mater!] - – - and I’m very happy I had a chance to shoot with him.  You know, it’s so easy to get great photos out of someone so silly as Curry….. [that's a good thing by the way Kim and Curry]  ;o)  I had alot of fun shooting these photos out at Curry’s Grandfathers property.  Cows, horses, BEAUTIFUL barn, everything was so pretty.  The light was getting low as I’m not used to this daylight savings time deal yet, but I think they are definately workable.  :)   You’ll also see a few photos of Curry with his girlfriend Mallory… she’s gorgeous and sweet as pie.  From what I’ve seen so far, I think they’re perfect together! 

So here we go!  Enjoy….

Amanda

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by Amanda

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NEW CLIENT CHALLENGE!!!! :)

Monday, November 2, 2009 Posted in Client CHALLENGE!

Ok everyone!  Listen to THIS…….

I have decided to create a sort of friendly competition here on the blog between all you [my favorite] clients and potential clients.  Bloggers are so much fun!

Every month starting today…. I am sending you all out on an assignment.  I will tell you more about the assignment in a moment, but first lets get to the good part… the REWARD!!!!  :o )  I have a $30 cash gift card up for grabs for the winner.  It’ll probably be a VISA card or something like that, but more than that…. it’s CASH!  Cold hard CASH!!!  Yipee!  And everyone knows that’s a great way to get another Christmas present paid for… or a birthday or anniversary.  You name it, it’s just something extra for you… the winner.

[Now onto the details]

Your first challenge… 

I am about to post the challenge “caption.”  From here you will go out into the world around you and try to find a photo that will best capture the caption I’ve assigned you.  This month I will choose the winning photo and post it up on this blog on December 1st for you all to see!  Now, of course I have to have the photos in on time… so your deadline is November 27th by NOON!  ***Every person is limited to one entry – so if there are 5 people in your family, you may all enter 1 photo per person*** 

Here is your checklist…

1]  Go take your photo that matches the caption I’m about to write below.

2]  Edit the photo if you’d like – touch it up a bit – if you don’t know how to do that, it’s all good – just send it on over.  It doesn’t have to be PERFECT~!~  Remember this is FUN!

3]  Email me your ONE photo entry at info@amandablythephotography.com by November 27th at 12pm [NOON].  I will send you back an email letting you know that I recieved your entry so that you don’t have to worry if I got it or not.

4]  Check back at the blog on December 1st to see who the winner is!

*** Remember, please let’s be honest here and send only photos that you have taken – - -  If you are the chosen winner, you will have to electronically sign consent for Amanda Blythe Photography to display your photo on the Blog and you will also have to electronically sign as the owner of the photograph.***

Keep in mind the time of year we are in…. Thanksgiving – and this is the inspiration for this caption.

ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR CAPTION?  HERE WE GO!

“These Autumn trees are a spectical of “God-made beauty,” in which remind us to be Thankful

for the many things He has blessed us with.”

Good luck, and get out there finding those Autumn Trees!

by Amanda

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The [Loving Family] From Heaven – Casie, Stephen and Little Olivia

Sunday, November 1, 2009 Posted in A Bit More Personal, Little One's Session, Loving Family Session

Hello all of my fun friends and clients out there!  This post is another special one for me….  This family you are about to see have been wonderful to me.  Long story short… I have been wanting a Yorkie dog for a long time now and they have been wanting to have family photos and 1 year old photos of Olivia.  Well, we found each other and have worked out a trade!  Casie has been such a sweetheart throughout this whole process.  I can imagine how hard it might have been for them to let go of their sweet doggie…. but boy am I grateful that they were willing… because Abby and I have a much warmer home now because of this sweet fellow.

Casie and Stephen…. thank you both for being such sweet people… and I hope that I have given you both memories that will really last a life time.  I hope that you will cherish these photos of little Olivia.  She is such a sweetheart and I can’t wait to shoot with ya’ll again next year…. maybe with another little one around???  hopefully?  hehe

Talk to you all soon…

Amanda

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by Amanda

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Fun one from [The Serette Wedding]

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 Posted in Uncategorized

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by Amanda

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Josh and Monique [Get Married]

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 Posted in Wedding Session

Hey everyone… boy I have really been wanting to get these photos up big time!  And I’m finally able to!  Josh and Monique got married on October 3rd… and had an absolutely explosive day.  From the ceremony when Josh saw Monique for the first time… then when Monique gave her vows to Jase (Josh’s son – - – boy was THAT a tear-jerker! she had the WHOLE church bawlin’ crying – - – including me) to the rockin’ reception where there were definately some people who knew how to cut-a-rug!  I was so jealous of Monique’s dancing abilities… she just glided around the floor like Cinderella!  [I still am vowing to make time for myself to take a ballroom dancing class.... teehee] 

Monique, Josh and Jase…. thanks again you guys for welcoming me into your families new life together and I am just so happy for you three.  I hope this is a good teaser until you get the cd!

Much love….

Amanda

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 This was the “tear-jerking” moment…. where Monique told Jase just how much she planned to love him and take care of him…  her words exactly which pretty much were etched in my mind… so sweet were…..  “i do not want to replace anyone, but only want to make a place in your heart…”  [tear]

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I titled this pic, “Good Examples.”  These are Monique and Josh’s parents.  Monique Mom and Dad are on the left and Josh’s Mom and Dad are on the right.  The whole night when these two couples danced, you could just SEE how much in love they were…. laughing with each other and giggling…. like they’re still in high school!  haha…. I loooved seeing this. 

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This is actually the replacement cake…. Monique’s beautiful cake fell down right before the reception… so they rushed out and found this absolutely beautiful cake to replace it with…. I think it’s perfect!  :)

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This was the night of the LSU game…. of course we WON!  You can tell we have some hardcore Tiger Fans on the guest list! 

[and yes, those are beer bottles.... after I snapped the pic, I told them to call a cab!]

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And of course I had to add a funny one of Monique’s Dad….  NO MOE’ MONEY!!!!  :o )

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by Amanda

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“Baby’s First Year Package” – Mommy-To-Be, Jennifer!

Monday, October 19, 2009 Posted in Baby's First Year Session, Mommy-To-Be Session

Yesterday morning, I had a great time driving out to Slidell for my first Baby’s First Year Client, Jennifer!  Jennifer is now 35 weeks along and if couldn’t help but think about just how much she was glowing.  I think this is one classy Mom we have on our hands here, and I couldn’t have been more honored to take these photos for she and her family.  Jennifer’s husband, Richard and son, Bobby came along with us too…. We got in some wonderful photos of their ever growing family in and around their hometown.  Jennifer told me that it would be great if they could take some photos of their family there in Slidell, their hometown, seeing as how that is their home, where they are from.  Well, I am so glad we did.  I saw new areas of Slidell that I’d never seen up close and personally before.  Even though Katrina really hit that place pretty hard, some years back, there’s still something that’s so great to photograph there.  I hope you will see just a glimpse of it in these photos.

There are talks of Jennifer and Richard having me come out for the birth photos of when their new little one arrives (oh yeah, I didn’t tell you that they aren’t finding out what it’s going to be!  They’re going to be surprised!), so if that happens, it should be pretty soon!  Talk to you all more later…. And enjoy these photos for now!

Thank you Jen and Richard for having me come out to your hometown, I really had a wonderful time.

Amanda

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Isn’t Jennifer just such a beautiful Mommy-To-Be?!?  If only I’d have been this beautiful at 8 months!!!  hehe

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Such a wondeful capture of Bobby kissing his little brother or sister!  I can’t wait to see what they’re having!

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I think this might be my favorite one of Jennifer for the day…. she just looks so content.  I LOVE it!

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Definately love this one of Richard and Jennifer

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by Amanda

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PLEASE BE PATIENT!!!

Monday, October 19, 2009 Posted in Uncategorized

Hey everyone…

Please be patient everybody!  I’m trying my hardest to fix up the blog the way I want it, and it is REALLY bad looking right now.  Much photo love to all of my clients and here’s something to hang onto for my next sneak peek…

Amanda

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by Amanda

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