What makes a movie your favorite?

I was flipping through the channels and found one of my all time favorite movies on last night. Return to Snowy River. I have loved this movie since I as a little girl. I think it is the combination of being set in Australia, the time period, the romance of it all and of course the horses that just draws me in. Not to mention the main character is also pretty good looking. I am pretty sure it is what started my fascination with the continent. The scenery in the movie is gorgeous. If I ever get to Australia I have to go to the Snowy Mountains. I have always enjoyed history and especially love the wild west of the mid to late 1800s. If I could be transported back in time this is the period I would choose, even though life was hard and most died young. To have horses be my main mode of transportation would be a dream come true. The relationships draw me in as well not only between the people but the people and horses as well. It is very easy for me to image myself in the movie.

Some people like movies based on how good the acting or directing is or because a certain actor is in a movie. Some because of the story. For me it is the emotion of it for the most part, only when they make me happy though. I hate sad movies. They can be good movies but I will never watch them again if they make me cry. Yes I just admitted to crying at movies.

What movie is your favorite and why?

Ten on Tuesday.

1. Where did you go to college?

Oregon State University

2. What did you study?

I studied general agriculture focusing on animal science, agribusiness, and environmental law and policy. I had a minor in political science.

3. Was college really all that it was cracked up to be?

I loved college. I had so many good experiences there and would do it again in a heartbeat if I could.

4. How far were you from home?

I was just about two hours from home.

5. Did you have the same roommate all four years?

No I had several different roommates. The most constant and longest running ones were Becky and Katie.

6. Where did you order food from at 2am?

We always went to Shari's and had either pie or breakfast.

7. Did you date in college or were you tied down?

I had a boyfriend for just under a year.

8. Funniest drunk college moment?

I don't think I had any drunk college moments but one of my roommates who shall remain nameless had a couple I will never forget. One time she was peeing along side the road and fell over in the bushes with her pants down and couldn't get back up. The other on was when we were walking back to our dorm. Another friend and I were helping her walk there and she kept falling down on her knees in mud puddles. Later she told us that she thought she little with her dad and her uncle jumping in the waves at the ocean. LMAO at that for a long time.

9. Did you make it to class on time?

I was usually always 5 to 10 minutes early.

10. What was your favorite class in college?

I don't remember having a favorite. Though I did like Comparative world agriculture because I got to go to China, Argentina and Chile because of it.

Ten on Tuesday.

1. Favorite way to travel (plane, train, automobile, etc.)
I think cruise ship is my favorite. My favorite part was being able to lay in bed and watch the scenery go by.

2. Where’s your favorite place to travel to that you’ve been to?
That's a hard one, I don't think I could pick.

3. Where’s the place that you want to go but have never been?
There are lots of places I would love to go, but I would have to say my top ones are Australia and an African safari.

4. Do you deal with traffic well?
I don't like it, but I can deal with it pretty well. I used to hate any traffic at all, but I think I have developed more patience as I have gotten older so it does not bother me as much.

5. Ever had an emergency while traveling?
I was in Argentina in December 2001 when the government collapsed. We were a few hours outside the capital where we were suppose to be going the next day, then home a few days after. All transportation was shut down. There was rioting in the streets everywhere, including where we were. It was a little scary. We had to change our schedule, but in the end got to fly out on time.

6. Do you have a passport? What countries have you been to?
I have had a passport since I was 16. I have been to Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, China, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, and Canada.

7. Are you’ve light packer or do you pack everything but the kitchen sink?
I always pack way too much. I just never know what I am going to need or want to wear.

8. Do you take the fastest route or the road less traveled?
Depends on where I am going and why. If I have something I have to be at a certain place and time for I will take the fastest route. When I have time I like to explore and take the road less traveled or at least a different route.

9. Do any activities on the road? (like road games, reading, sleeping, etc. )
If I am not driving I will sleep or read.

10. Use a paper map or GPS?
I print maps from mapquest.

My best friend for the last 21 years.

Not quite what you were expecting huh. This is Spring. I got her when I was eight years old. She was only three and quite scrawny and in need of some TLC. She was also quite ornery and in need of training. For some reason when I saw I her I just had to have her. My Mom on the other hand was not so sure. She was not real fond of appaloosas, the breed of horse which Spring is. But it didn't matter to me. I said pretty please enough and she gave in and let me have her.

That first year she probably bucked me off almost every time I got on her. Over the years she became my best friend. We have been through a lot together her and I. When I had no friends she was there for me. We went to camps and family vacations together. I told her all my secrets and she always there for me. The bond between a girl and her horse is very special and I am lucky enough to have kept that through so many years.

Why Choose Custom Photography?

Custom Photography as something "special"

Custom photography is more of a luxury than your entry level cookie cutter chain experience. Custom photography truly is not for everyone, it requires a level of commitment, investment in time and money, forethought and planning on the part of the subject/client and requires a larger time commitment for the photographer as well.

Clients who enjoy taking a more active role in the creation of their families’ memories have the desire to have portrait art that is truly personalized. These more discerning clients have been known to budget and allot time for a custom photography session. Many clients opt for it to be a once a year special experience, some opt to have custom photography sessions done to record their child's stages in life. Having said this, it is clear that custom photography is not in everyone’s budget, it is something that most families save for to splurge on from time to time to memorialize their children as they really are (not posed and primped in the cookie cutter studio setting).

There is a great deal of time involved in creating high end custom photography sessions for a client. The luxury of great service, better choices and a supberb end product. The result of all this are heirloom quality images. The time invested at the session is only a small portion of time involved in this process.

Custom photography has been likened to purchasing a fine vehicle. To get to point B from A let's face it, even a bus ride would suffice. If you want to luxuriate in a finely appointed vehicle, customizing your own experience by listening to smooth jazz while sitting in a climate controlled setting adjusted purely for your comfort in a body hugging leather interior, perhaps that Lexus you so desire is your cup of tea. Custom photography is much the same cup of tea. It is the Lexus of the photography world. It is where the intangibles make the experience truly wonderful and the images themselves make the investment of money and time truly worthwhile.

Custom photography can be broken down into even more levels. There are on location, studio, mixed studio/on location, specialty location and destination type photographers. The beauty of custom photography is in the choices and in the luxury of thoses options. The customized service level you are sure to experience will be amazing. The knowledge that your final images are the result of someone caring about those moments so much that they take extra time ensuring that the artwork you receive is good enough to stand by with their name on it. That level of quality and commitment is all but lost in the age of "mass produced," "mass marketed," corporate "everyone is a number". Custom photography is based on being unique to you. How great an experience would be, to be able to sit back and allow a photographer to do this highly custom work for images that you will most likely cherish for a lifetime?

Keep in mind more than anything that the Lexus will never appreciate in value the way your portraits will. The portrait art you become invested in from your custom photographer will no doubt increase in value and become more priceless as the years pass.

Written by Marianne Drenthe of Marmalade Photography

Ten on Tuesday.

This was suppose to go up yesterday, but for some reason it didn't get up as it was scheduled to.

I found this site through another one I don't remember which though. I always follow different links in different blogs and often forget where I began. I thought it sounded like fun so I thought I would give it a try and see how it goes.

1. Pretend it’s Monday morning–take us through a day in the life of you.
-I am usually woken up by Dylan between 6 and 6:30. Get him up, change him, get him dressed and settled in his high chair with milk and cheerios.
-Let the dogs out, feed dogs, cats, and horses. Then I vacuum and put Dylan in his play pen.
-Take a shower and get dressed and if I'm really motivated I will workout first.
-Eat breakfast, watch news, check email, facebook, blogs, then get ready to go to the store.
-Usually get to the store about 9 or 9:30. Do bookwork, get mail, go to the bank.
-Come home have lunch. Get Dylan his nap. Do dishes and pick up toys if needed.
-Chase after/play with Dylan, clean up after him, change diapers. Do some computer/photography work.
-Make dinner, feed animals. Eat dinner, watch tv, chase Dylan and clean up after him more.
-Dylan goes to bed around 8 and Cory and I follow about 9 or 9:30.

2. What’s your favorite reality tv show?
I watch a few but don't really have a favorite and for the most part just pass on them. Mostly just watch the Duggers and the Kardashians (a guilty pleasure). I know they are total opposites, but they both have strong family values which I like. I think it is the extremes of these families that draw me, seeing how th

3. What motto do you live by?
"Nobody ever said life was fair." My Mom's favorite saying when I was growing up.

4. If you knew you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt?
I would love to train a world champion all around quarter horse. I would also like to do a Triathlon. If you know me this is probably the last thing you would have ever expected.

5. What was your first job?
Babysitting was my very first, followed very soon by giving riding lessons.

6. What is your current job?
Stay at home mom, bookkeeper, and photographer.

7. What would you call yourself if you could choose your own name (and you cannot pick the one you already have)?
Never really thought of another name for myself. I always wished my name was spelled Aimee instead of Amy though.

8. What musical instruments can you play?
I use to be able to play the piano. Would like to learn again.

9. Is it easier to forgive or forget?
I find it easier to just move on and mostly forget.

10. What is one food you’d never want to taste again?
I guess I would have to say artichokes.

Fall Portrait Special! (Idaho and Oregon Photographer)

I am running a Fall Portrait Special. The session fee is waived with the purchase of a collection ($125 value).

Now is the time to update your family portraits and get a jump start on your holiday planning. Portraits make great gifts and are always appreciated. Now is the time to give custom portrait photography a try. Capture your family as they really are in your favorite location, relaxed and having fun. No stuffy poses and fake cheesy smiles. Experience the difference with Amy Schmid Photography. Great opportunity for Senior Portraits as well.

I am also planning a trip to the coast in late September at this point. So if you live there or along the way you can also take advantage of this offer.

Book your session now. Only available until Oct 15.

See more of Amy's work at www.amyschmidphoto.com or like us on Facebook.