all in a day's work by amy parsons photography

a few changes....

NEW feature....I just installed a way for you to subscribe to my blog.  All you have to do is type your email in at the right------------>Go through a quick email confirmation and YOU ARE DONE....Now, all you blog stalkers out there can stay updated on my exciting life and business.  I know you are out there!!! (wink, wink)

xoxo, Amy 

School is almost out, time to play!!!

Hooray!!!  There are only 5 days left of school!!  I don't know about you, but I'm counting down the days until I can hang dark blankets on the windows of my daughters' rooms and pray that they sleep in past 7am.  (does anyone else do this?)  This year has been a hard and hectic year for me.  Grace is finishing the first grade and I drive her (the other 2 just enjoy the ride) to school in the mornings.  Then I come home and have about 2 hours to either do running or 1 load of laundry or pick up the house a little before I have to get Holli, our middle daughter, down to catch the bus. (she goes 1/2 a day)  Then I get back and hope it will be an easy task to get Charley, our youngest daughter, down for her nap. (can you believe she's almost 2?)  IF she naps, I work a little more either on the house or my photography work, make phone calls or do whatever else I need to do until time to get them off the bus at 3:30.  Then it's playing, homework, dinner, baths etc. and off to bed they go by 9:00pm.  I usually go straight back to the computer to work without any interruptions and I work until anywhere from 11pm to 2am.  This all depends on how much tea I have consumed during the day.....lol...and how loudly the dog is snoring at my feet. (Oz, our English Bulldog)  Usually I drift off to "LaLa_Land"  pretty quickly until my hubby's alarm goes off at 4:45.  I try to tumble out of bed to pack his lunch and see him off to work, then lay back down for 45 minutes until time for my alarm.  Now, on most mornings lately I stagger to the couch to watch the weather and I end up getting TOO cozy and I have been known to drift off to sleep.....waking up in just enough time to get them out the door just in time for the tardy bell.........but ONLY 5 DAYS LEFT!!!

We bought the girls something special last week to play with this summer.  It's something that I always wanted as a child.  See, growing up in a house with 2 other girls, we were forced to use our imagination constantly.  And boy.....did we have wild imaginations!!  (right girls?)  Here are a few things we pretended...now, keep in mind, we are from the boonies.   lol....

We turned the double sinks in the bathroom into a pool and a hot tub for our barbies.      

We would go into the tall grass and play "Jungle Barbies" and they would drive their cars in the safari wild.  They would loose each other and have to survive alone all night.  This particular grass was literally past our little bony knees, so these barbies had a big jungle.  And the 2 outside dogs were the MONSTERS.....lol...Barbie just can't outrun a Shephard.  That's probably my most fun memory with the barbies. 

Turning the sidewalk into a Barbie corvette/jeep racetrack.

Using a pogo ball for a circle counter top.  (Please tell me you remember what a pogo ball is!)  Like a pogo stick, but you squeezed your feet together and bounced...very hard to do, so we came up with other uses for it.  OH, and the Trapper Keepers......we used them for walls and all sorts of things.

I remember not wanting to sleep on the bed, because we had spent all day turning it into a Barbie Mall or House. 

THEN.....when we thought we were getting "way too old" to play with barbies, but the younger sister(s) wanted to play, we'd agree to play but "only fix their hair and change their clothes", we'd say.  But by then, I am ashamed to say, we were almost teenagers!!! 

lol....there was this one doll.  He was the only KEN doll we had and we used to fight over who played with him.  I mean , come on, he could get ANY girl he wanted, right?  The only problem with Ken, was he only had 1 arm.  I'm not sure what happened to him....lol.  I just know he could only stand on the left side of whatever barbie he chose, so he would look like he had his arm around her........lol...

We would play with those barbies until they fell apart. Even after they lost limbs.... We'd put them in the tub and pack them in our suitcases.  I remember the little details of everything.  My mom actually saved them for us.  I went and dug through them a few months ago.  It brought back SO MANY memories to look at all those barbie clothes we used to fight over.  There was 1 wedding dress, (early 80's style, long sleeve and collar), 2 sequin prom dresses, a stonewashed bluejean suit, bikini's, hotpants, halter dresses, and even a pair of legwarmers.......lol.  What a trip to see my daughters playing with the same exact things I spent so many hours enjoying.

SO........back to what we bought them....A little girls dream, or 3 girls in our case.  The PLAYHOUSE of IMAGINATION....

    Here is one of each of the girls in their new playhouse.

Grace was rocking her baby doll in the wood porch swing.  She was singing her to sleep... notice their window boxes full of new flowers they planted by themselves. 

   ...and Holli was mad that I wanted in and I hadn't knocked yet OR said the password. (the back double doors open for adult axcess.  Once you get inside the front, you can stand up)

Here's Charley playing "Pee-tye" with me through the window screen.  That's her favorite game....

and the WATCHDOG is always on duty at the Parsons Playhouse.  Here he is peeping over the half front door.  He kinda reminds me of "The Grumpy Ole Troll, who lives under the Bridge" ..lol.  Oh, I know you moms know exactly what I'm talking about, don't you?   I guess I've been watching too much Dora and Diego (Aye-go is Charley's favorite cartoon)

Holli told me the only thing that would make the playhouse more fun was if it had a TV in it.  It looks like I'll be teaching them a little about "Using their Imagination" all summer and keeping the TV off...lol

Thanks for reading.....

Their first born....

Last week, I took photos for the sweetest couple.  They have been married for almost 3 years and are now expecting their first child, a daughter.  The couple are teachers in our county and he coaches the high school football team.  I went to school with both, Tera and Aaron, and they work at the same schools we attended together.  This lovely couple bought a house that they personally remodeled for their new family.  Tera and Aaron were so much fun and I think we laughed the...entire time.    I wanted to share some of MY favorites so far of their session.  I hope you enjoy them...

We tromped through the wet grass for a few shots. (sorry about your shoes)

They snuggled across the bed...

...and snuck in a few kisses when they could.( I just adore the way he is touching her belly)

I am telling you, her ultrasound has the be the most perfect ultrasound I have ever seen.. what an incredible photo of her face.  At this VERY MOMENT, the baby was kicking her.  The expression on her face tells it all !

I must say, that this is one of my favorites.  Please check out their complete album. 

I've GOT to get better at this.....

So here I am on a rainy day, sitting at my desk.  Wishing the rain would stop so I could work in the garden and the flowers.  Needless to say, I haven't  written a blog in awhile, either.  I'm SLACKING.....I know.    I feel TERRIBLE about it.  If it makes it any better, I have thought, "I need to go blog that" numerous times and then I get side tracked.  I used to pick on my mom for this...now I feel like I am looking at her when I look in the mirror and hear myself talk..go figure  ;)

We have been balancing a hectic schedule lately.  My girls have had field trips and girls scouts meetings and parties.  Daddy has been working midnights, so mama is completely zonked... School is nearing it's end and we are attempting to plan our vacation to FL to see my big sister.  Her baby is due in June and we should be there about 3 weeks after. Love you, Stacey  :)

Yesterday, was another field trip.  We went to a play at MSU and the fish hatchery.  We saw tons of fish.  On the way home, Grace asked for FISH for dinner, cause seeing all those fish swimming made her HUNGRY.  lol....and I was afraid she wouldn't want to eat fish anymore after seeing what we saw earlier. Trish, my little sister, watched Holli for me.  We went to get her and apparently Holli kept her laughing the whole day.   I swear, these girls take after their daddy.... and I see him in them when they laugh and smile.  (In this image you can see my name tattooed on his wrist.  I love it...)

He keeps me rolling on the floor.  They amuse me on a daily basis.  They were being silly, giggling and cackling in the back of the van, the other day on our way home. (one of my favorite sounds in the whole world)  They were laughing hysterically at each other..Charley of course has to immitate them both by forcing her laugh out. Then out of the blue, Grace says, "Home, James...off to the looney farm we go!" I just don't know where they get this stuff from.  NOT ME......lol.

I've been trying to get some deep cleaning done.  I'm failing miserably...  I tried to run the sweeper and it won't work.  I checked everything..wondering what has happened to yet another vacuum. (we have a bad record when it comes to them)  I took the cover off and tried to clean it.  I flipped the vacuum head upside down and "low and behold, MY TOOTHBRUSH fell out!!!"  My TOOTHBRUSH......of all things!  I've been looking for it and lucky for me I have a backup for occasions such as these.  Apparently it got placed in there and I ran the sweeper anyway.  I know what you are thinking, I didn't run over it.  It was placed there when the head was off the canister.  It fit perfectly down the tube and got jammed there.  Hmmm....I wonder?   Yes, there is only one CULPRIT....and she's the 21 month old walking around here with Q-tips sticking out of her ears. (??)  Holli said she was pretendiing to be an alien.  lol....

 

She is into everything, and I think she is destined to climb Mt. Everest!  She can be on top of the table in 3 seconds flat...I guess this explains why my vacuum started smoking this morning and why my house reeks of burnt rubber....blugh! 

I have taken some fun and awesome sessions lately.  I will be posting about them soon. 

Off to Paris you go.....Seth!

This past Friday, I went with my assistant to Downtown Huntington and the Lake.  I photographed, Seth, an aspiring model.  We did a modeling session for his portfolio for him to take to his modeling agency in Cincy in the hopes of traveling to Paris this summer for a modeling career. 

In the hours we were together, I had the poor guy walking the railroad tracks, a railroad bridge overpass, in an alley, in a park, up a staircase, wearing boxing gloves, water pouring over him, and last but not least in the sand and lake.  Yes, by evening the temperature wasn't as high and he took off his shirt and tromped out in that water like a champ!!!  I hope it was all worth if for these images. 

He looks like he just walked off the runway and onto my computer screen.  This guy has all the perfect features and the personalliity to boot.  Seth, GOOD LUCK WEDNESDAY!!  I'll be rooting for you. 

Thanks!!!

Jaylee is here...

This family has been with me for a long time.  She was actually the one that talked me into doing their wedding, with much resistance from me.  Nine months later, we were shooting a maternity session of her beautiful belly and here we are....today....showing you their genuine creation.  Jaylee was 2 weeks old here.  In the 3 hours I was there I only heard her cry one time.  She is such a good baby and gorgeous to boot.   Now you know, everyone who looks at a baby has to deliberate on which parent the baby looks like the most...you know you do it!  At first glance, this baby girl looks just like her daddy!!!!  Then...she yawned and changed her facial expression and it was just like looking at her mama. 

It's the place a baby fills in your heart that you never knew was empty.  The fulfillment of holding the baby that you felt kicking inside of you for months.  Knowing that you and your true love created this little person.  Aaah, the miracle of life and the beauty of it all.

So, without further delay let me show you, MY favorite photos of Little Miss Jaylee Michael.  (her complete album is to the left)

 

Thank you for looking. 

There once was a girl named Averie.

The first time I ever saw this little girl was in the arms of her Mama.  She was so tiny and fragile...yet the twinkle in her eyes said she could conquer the world.  Her mama was so proud to show me her one and only daughter, Baby Averie.  She had the bluest eyes and a headful of this dark hair.  As I must admit, everytime I see a newborn and hold it in my arms, as I did my own,  it makes me dream for another baby for my family.  Reminising of the days when yours were this size and so dependant on you.  Well, of course, this little darling made me ponder on the past.  This blessing has 2 older brothers, Curtis and Eli, to watch over her and parents, Nicky and Michael, who adore her every move.  It is easy to see the love this family has for each other and the fun times they have together. 

Below are a few of my favorite images of her.  Please check out Averie's album on the left side.  I hope you enjoy them. 

{It is unlawful to SCAN, SAVE, DOWNLOAD from the web, COPY, PRINT from your printer or any other photo printing, or DUPLICATE in any way ALL photos and is punishable by up to a $150,000 fine.  These photos are the sole property of AmyParsonsPhotography.  Please respect her business and livelihood by not duplicating these photos.  Amy thanks you in advance for your respect}.

Sweet, sweet baby

                                "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. 

                                    Before you were born, I sanctified you."

                                                      Jeremiah 1:5

Welcome into the world little one.  Back several months ago I photographed this precious little darlings' parents, Selina and Shane, and her 2 year old big brother, Tyler.  Needless to say, she was still inside her mommys tummy getting the tender love she needed to grow healthy and strong.  She blessed this world with her presence on January 16th weighing a whopping 7 pounds and 10 ounces and measuring 20 inches long.  This little girl is now ready for her debut.

"Ah-hem....da...da.da.da.     Introducing......Tori Dawn!"

May you stay healthy and be surrounded with love every day of your life.  Bless you!

Tori's album has been posted and is complete.  This album will be posted for 10 days, until March 18th, at which time the order is due to receive the current pricing.   If album is requested to stay posted for longer, a $50 fee will be added.  Please contact me for any questions.

...Waiting for Jaylee

So my first session this year was for my friend, Tabitha and her husband, Josh.  For those of you that have followed my work, I also did their wedding last year.

So now they are expecting their FIRST BABY!!!  It's a GIRL, and her name is going to be Jaylee.  Tabitha isn't due for another 3 weeks and seems to be doing great.  No signs of labor yet.  So I wanted to share MY favorites from the session and show you all how she GLOWS....you are glowing, my dear.

 

 

Just a preview from this session.  I was excited to share them....:)  When the little bundle arrives I will be doing her newborn session, too!  Hooray!!  Oh, .....I can't wait to meet you little girl.

Watts Wedding

On December 17, 2007 I was honored to be the photographer at my uncles wedding.  Congrats, Mike and Michelle WATTS!!  Michelle, we are so blessed to have you be a part of our crazy family.  With the immediate family now totaling 44 (I think I got that right, you ALL know we have to stop and count).  From what I hear you also have a big family, which explains why you fit in beautifully.  They got married before Christmas and I am working on the finals for their album right now.  NOT MUCH LONGER GUYS, then it's on to your SLIDESHOW.....  I can't wait for you to see the finished product.  I think I am as excited as you are!