new backgrounds!

I've been inspired by the retro patterns in recent magazine ads and decided I should offer some retro backgrounds to my clients.

So here are the 4 new backgrounds I bought (I'm REALLY excited about them!):

It's that time again...

It's the little things in life...

...that make me smile.

A hot vanilla latte in the morning,
a letter from a friend in the mail,
my favorite song on the radio,
a compliment from a stranger,
and
new red shoes.

school days, school days...

I taught a class on lighting this week. Nothing big, pretty much the photo equivalent of watercolor still life, but I had lots of fun and hopefully my class learned a thing or two.

What a strange feeling to be teaching after spending so many years being taught...

The results are in...

...and we are THRILLED!

Charity and I are excited to announce that PaddyWag made Evening Magazine's Top 5 for Pet Photography!

Congrats are in order to Erin Vey who took 1st place. Her work is amazing and it's such an honor to be listed in the Top 5 with her!

Charity and I want to say THANK YOU!!! to everyone who voted for us. Your support is what keeps us going every day! :)

all it takes is one...

Jamie, my youngest sister, called today to tell me two things:

1. she passed her driving test

2. she started an animal food & gift drive for the Humane Society

I was incredibly excited by both pieces of news, but I was especially intrigued by the Humane Society part. I asked what motivated her to start the drive. She told me she watched a TV program on animal shelters and was heart broken to find that many of them are in desperate need of animal supplies. She called the Humane Society that same day and told them she wanted to help by starting a food and gift drive.

The drive is only one week old and already she’s collected more supplies than she can fit in her room! She said that although it sounds like she’s collected a lot, it’s nothing compared to the number of animals that need food and supplies.

Right after my sister said that, I immediately thought of PaddyWag and knew I needed to post a blog letting you all know about this food and gift drive. If you’re interested in donating, please send me an email at art_of_subtlety@yahoo.com or call me at 206-661-8961. My sister is sending me a list of supplies that the Humane Society requested and I’d be happy to pass that along to you. Donations are being accepted until December 20th.

I’m so proud of my sister for doing this all out of the kindness of her heart and for her love of animals.

Remember…all it takes is one person to make a difference.

Take care,

Amanda

Your donations go to help sweet faces like these…

…and make it possible for the Humane Society to continue helping animals find loving homes.

a kid, a dog and a pile of leaves...it must be fall

One of my favorite things about fall is when a kid rakes leaves into a big pile then jumps right in them. What could top that? A kid and his dog jumping in the pile. This boy was camera shy, but I managed to get a few shots that made mom smile.