Dylan: One Year Old! (North Idaho Children's Photographer)

Well we finally made it. Dylan is now one year old. What a year it has been. It was quite a birthday week for our little man as well. He had two birthday parties. The week started out in Spokane where he had his first party with the Schmid side of the family at Chucky Cheese. He had a great time. Having his first pizza and a cupcake.

Then three days later we were on the road to Tilamook for his actual birthday, where he got his first happy meal. The next day in Tillamook he got to go to the beach for the first time and crawl around in the sand and get a little wet. We also did his one year pictures there. He loved crawling in the sand. We put him down and off he went. Then the next day we had his second birthday party. He got lots of presents and his very own cake to eat, smash, and play with. He also had a blast with that.

This last month he has been doing a lot of new things. He snorts, waves his arms, and bounces when he get excited. He says num when he is eating or when he wants a bite of what you are eating. It is very cute. He is starting to learn the word no. It didn't take too long. I would tell him no and then he would instantly start crying and put his face down on the couch if he was near it. At one year old he is wearing 24 month clothes, which he has mostly been wearing since Christmas. He also got his first haircut, which was a little too short in my opinion. It is growing back much faster than I thought though. All in all he is definitely looks just like a little boy and no longer a baby. Which I guess is appropriate now that his is a toddler and no longer an infant.

Dylan: Eleven Months!

One more month before Dylan turns one. Hard to believe, but not really for me. It seems like he has been with us forever. He is now starting to try to stand by himself, but not quite there yet. He is eating as much as ever. We have not found anything that he won't eat and eats more than some adults. He makes me laugh all the time now. He is getting into everything and is starting to learn what no means, not that it does any good. This months pictures were squeezed in during our road trip last weekend. They were taken at my parents place where I grew up. I wasn't going to use these because I didn't get very many, as he was being a little fussy. But he is now practically bald after his first hair cut. Cory got a little carried away and now Dylan has no hair. Oh well it will grow back.

I love how his big blue eyes stand out here.

Senior Photos: Warren!

Warren is a high school student that we met not long after we moved here. He started working part time for us at the store not long after. Now he is a little on the short side and looks younger than he really is, but I was still concerned when people started asking if he was mine and Cory's son. Did I really look old enough to be his mother? It has become some what of a joke with us. We some times call him Dylan's brother. Well he has finally made it to his senior year. Both his mom and I have been after him to get his pictures done. A few weekends ago we finally got out to do them and it turned out to be crappy weather. We got about a half hour in before it started to rain. So we will have another session soon. I just thought I would share the first bunch we got because for the amount of time we had and the weather there was actually quite a few keepers in the bunch. I was quite pleased how well they turned out considering the circumstances.

Newborn: Jaxson Wyatt Hopkes!

Well last week I became an aunt again. My sister in-law gave birth to a baby boy Wednesday. Jaxson Wyatt Hopkes was born at 6:13 pm. Weighing in at 8lbs 10oz and was 22 3/4in. He had good timing in so many ways. It was his doctors first day back from vacation and I had planned on a trip over there this last weekend. Now I am a little biased here, but he is a pretty darn adorable baby. He is also the best baby I have ever been around. He sleeps all the time and when he does cry it is no louder than a new born kitten. Pretty unfair considering that Dylan did not sleep and screamed constantly for the first five months or so. We did a quick shoot while I was there. Being his aunt I had a very hard time narrowing these down so there is a few more photos than normal.

Destination Family Portraits!

Does your family enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, boating, and the many other recreational opportunities available in picturesque North Central Idaho?

Do you look forward to your weekends and summers spent on the North fork of the Clearwater River and the Dworshak reservoir?

Aren’t these are the moments that you want to capture and remember always?

This is the time to capture your family for those portraits that you have been meaning to have done. Everyone is relaxed and having fun in a beautiful setting. Not only will you get your portraits done, but will also capture your family participating in some of their favorite activities as well. Preserving those moments and memories with everyone involved.

Amy spends time with her family in these places doing these same activities. She knows the value of preserving these memories.

Do not try to squeeze time into your busy schedules at home with all the activities your family is involved in to get those family portraits done. Instead schedule a few leisurely hours on you next trip to the North fork or the Dworshak for them Everyone will be in a great mood and have tons of fun doing what they enjoy.

Amy will capture your family doing their favorite activities, as well as some relaxed portraits with beautiful scenery at every turn.

You will get high quality photography printed on the finest professional papers, canvases and albums. You spend lots of money decorating, why not invest in pieces of art that feature those you love most in memories you will never want to forget.

Wedding Guest Book.

Last year I did a few engagement shoots for my sister. She thought I was just being nice because she loves having her picture taken and wanted a photo for her programs. I actually had an ulterior motive though. I need those pictures for her Christmas present. I put them together in an album to use as a guest book for her wedding. The idea was to cross a traditional guest book and the big photo mats that everyone signs. At my wedding I had both and I got about half of all the guest on each one. This book would be easier to store than the big mat and more interesting than just a signature the traditional book usually gets. It also ensures that all guest will sign in the same place. There is a photo on almost every page and lots of blank space for good wishes, advice and signatures from the guest. You can view the sample here.

I am offering these as part of some wedding packages and as an add on if desired. They are a great way to showcase your engagement session and an unique way to allow guest to be remember on your big day.

Dylan: Ten Months!

Well we are almost to a year if you can believe that. We have now reached the point I have been dreading. Dylan has finally mastered crawling. He is also pulling himself up and walking with help. He is no longer happy when contained. He wants to be moving and getting into everything. He is also eating all adult food now. Pancakes seem to be his favorite right now, but then we have not really found anything that he doesn't like. We are up to four teeth as well, now that the top two have broken through .