Amy Sandoval Photography Blog

Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk Portrait Photographer, Wedding Photographer: Newborn, Maternity, child, family and wedding coverage.

My name is Amy Sandoval and I am a portrait and wedding photographer serving the Hampton Roads, Virginia area.

For me, this blog is my photography journal. I share sneak peeks from sessions with clients and also like to post personal tidbits and photography tips here from time to time. I invite you to subscribe to the blog via email by entering your email address in the box on the top right of the page and clicking on "subscribe by email."

For full details and session pricing info, visit the portfolio site at www.amysandovalphotography.com. You can also connect with me on Facebook or the Curves Boudoir Facebook fan page .

And check out the Curves Boudoir website at http://www.curvesboudoir.com.

Please note: The images on this blog are property of Amy Sandoval Photography and may not be used without permission.

{Detail Friday} The 10th Anniversary Edition

Friday, August 20, 2010 Posted in Detail Friday!, Details, Personal Notes, Wedding

Yesterday was our 10th wedding anniversary. My husband is the reason I’m here talking to you right now on a photography blog. Really, if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have the flexibility to pursue a seriously time-consuming second career in addition to my full time job. He takes care of Olivia when I have weekend shoots and takes care of all of my tax/business paperwork (thank God I married a math person and now he’s a CPA, handy!). He also accepts that I’d rather be taking photos than say, cooking dinner or being a great homemaker.

He’s an amazing dad, so kind, seriously funny (don’t tell him I said that!) and is a fully vested partner in our marriage and in fatherhood. He watches entirely too much sports but does not complain when I buy another camera lens even after I say I am done buying lenses. His British accent could use a little work, but Olivia and I laugh like crazy when he says, “Chip, chip cheerio!” (Confession: We like to talk with British accents for fun around the house. And Olivia’s getting pretty good!)

The older I get and the more I look around, the more I realize how lucky I am. It’s too easy to take a person for granted. In short, Steve is a fantastic husband. And a fantastic, hands-on dad. We couldn’t be luckier. Our wedding photos were taken with film, so I can’t easily share them, but I do have a few scanned. That’s us dancing together – our first dance. We look so young!

My wedding ring setting was custom made and holds diamonds that were given to us by my mom, my Steve’s mom and some that we picked together. I don’t know why I got it set in yellow gold, but I did despite never wearing yellow gold! So for our 10th anniversary, we decided it would be a nice time to have the stones reset. It was a challenge finding a setting that would work with the stones I already had, but it was important to me to keep the family stones in my ring.

I found a great ring setting online (you know me, I did most of my research online). And I took the info to Long Jewelers in Virginia Beach. They were incredibly patient and helpful – literally taking several hours with me to figure out what I wanted and how to make it work. (I can’t recommend them enough – I have never seen so many beautiful pieces of jewelry in my life and they custom order and design jewelry.) They also custom-made a band to match the engagement ring and hold the remaining stones. I love it, love it! So I had to take a few “detail shots” of my own rings. For our anniversary, I asked Michele Duncan of One Sweet Day to make us cupcakes that look like our wedding cake, which had chocolate shells on it. She made gorgeous cupcakes and they happened to arrive within an hour of me picking up my new rings. So yes, I did stick my rings on a cupcake and take photos!

P.S. I got Steve and iPad and I haven’t seen him since. (Just kidding. But he absolutely loves it! It fit right in with the fact that the 10th anniversary traditional gift is supposed to be aluminum. Hah!)

P.S.S. Thinking about a Family Mini Portrait Session? (See details in the post below this one.) They are going fast. In fact, out of over a dozen sessions, I have about 2 left to reserve. So don’t wait if you’re interested in booking a session!

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NatalieAugust 22, 2010 - 6:15 pm

Many congratulations on your 10 year anniversary I love the story behind the stones in your rings, I think it’s wonderful to have stones from both your moms and ones of your own, so special! and they are beautiful rings too, of course. I hope those cupcakes were yummy cos they sure look it! Your cupcakes and ring shots are gorgeous!
Now… read this comment again, but in *my* (Northern) British accent HAHA! you make me smile

{Fall 2010 Family Mini Sessions} Get ‘Em While It’s Hot!

Friday, August 13, 2010 Posted in Child, Family, Holiday Cards

Saturday, October 9: Family Portrait Mini Sessions – $200

(Rain date of Sunday, October 10) at a Virginia Beach or Chesapeake park, location TBA

I am pleased to announce 2010 Family Mini Sessions. This is a great opportunity for 2010 clients who would like to get just a few more photos in time for the holidays. It is also a nice opportunity for those families who have not been able to book with me due to my busy schedule. Sessions will be booked on a first come, first served basis and I do anticipate them going quickly. To book a session, please email me at amy@amysandovalphotography.com or click on the word “Contact” at the top of the blog to send an email for details. A deposit is not required but you will be given a time slot and asked to commit to it. Final payment will be due on the day of the sessions and can be made by check or credit card. I am really looking forward to catching up with current clients and meeting new ones.

Sessions Include:

15-20 minute session for up to 2 children or one immediate family
10-15 fully processed, high-resolution digital files presented in a private online gallery and given to you via a downloadable link from the gallery (suitable for printing, enlarging, etc.)
Printing tips and release so you can print the images and/or use them for photo cards, etc.
5-day ordering period for holiday cards, etc. (additional products are an additional fee)

Amy Sandoval Photography holiday card designs will be available to use with the photos from your mini session. Holiday cards are not included in the session fee. Only photographic cards will be available for purchase with mini sessions (not press-printed cards). Photographic cards are priced at $1.50 for the first 100 cards and $1.25 a card for additional cards.

Location:

I will announce the location within a month of the sessions. I have several options in mind and want to see which one has the most fall color potential when the date gets closer. It will either be a park in Virginia Beach or Chesapeake.

Tips:

Be on time! These sessions are booked with very little down time between them. If you are late, you will have less time for your session.
If possible, please reserve the time you are assigned for Sunday, October 10 as well. That will be the rain date if we have bad weather on Saturday, October 9.
Due to the time restrictions, we will focus on capturing a specific shot – family shots, individuals of two children or less, sibling shots, etc. If we have time after we have gotten that shot, we will set-up additional shots. Obviously we won’t be able to get as many shots as a typical session, so come prepared to tell me which groupings are most important to you.
Because of time and location limitations, mini sessions are not available for babies that are not able to sit unassisted or clients looking for a variety of poses or multiple backgrounds or outfits. (If you have a baby and would like family photos, that will work. I just won’t have my props there to “prop” up baby for individual poses!)
Mini sessions are perfect for clients who have already had a full session but need just a few updated shots or are thinking about holiday card photos.
Watch the blog for tips on what to wear – I will be previewing some fall wardrobe tips when the weather gets cooler. (There will not be time for wardrobe changes.)
For the best printing results, you will want to use the lab recommended on my printing tips sheet, which you will receive when your online gallery is ready.

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{Sneak Peek Two!} Anniversary Portrait Session in Virginia Beach

Thursday, August 12, 2010 Posted in Engagement

I’m back for more from this fun anniversary portrait session. There’s a trend right now in the photography industry to capture couples not just at engagement sessions but at all stages in their relationship. It’s such a good idea. You shouldn’t just have great photos made for your engagement or wedding – but seek other occasions to have photos of the two of you. Anniversaries are a great time to book a portrait session. So are other milestones. I can picture a wonderfully creative session taking place at the site of a first home or even the empty lot where you’re going to build a home.

What I noted about this session is how relaxed and fun they are together. They really know one another. There’s a comfort and real joy between them. They are celebrating their 10th anniversary this month as am I – and I felt a real kindred spirit with where they are in their relationship. Speaking from personal experience, there’s so much more appreciation for that partner who has been through so much with you and knows you better than anyone else in the world. Such a nice sentiment to capture for them together.

On with more photos from their second sneak peek! Love this first one because that’s a surfer with a board in the distance on the walkway behind them. Very beachy.

For some reason, I love “headless” shots. I’m not sure how clients feel about them, so this is your chance to let me know – leave me a comment! I think the reason I love them so much is because they convey emotion in a secondary way without the direct facial expressions – the way they’re holding hands, casually, but comfortably and how she’s leaning into him, it tells a little story in itself. The photo above is a more traditional take on the same shot – it conveys the same warmth but in a different, more direct way than the photo below.

The way they look at each other is awesome. (Cheesy word but I can’t think of anything better because it’s true, it’s awesome!)

Such beautiful light on the beach and cooler weather, too.

They’ve both got their serious-but-not-really faces on here. This one is one of my favorites, too.

Definitely one of my session favorites – I picture this type of photo framed and sitting on the groom/husband’s desk at work!

Love, love the smiles here.

show hide 5 comments

TinAugust 12, 2010 - 6:40 am

love the light! what a beautiful couple, such beautiful photo’s of them!

David ReedAugust 13, 2010 - 9:59 am

Just a gorgeous photo session. I dig your style and perspective with your subjects, great stuff.

Amy SandovalAugust 13, 2010 - 1:02 pm

Thanks so much Tin and David. I appreciate it and I know they will, too!

suzanneAugust 13, 2010 - 9:05 pm

Hi Amy,
Great pictures! Nice light, you captured their personalities beautifully!
“Aunt” Suzanne

lizetAugust 16, 2010 - 2:54 am

beautifull! love that light and bright colors!

{First Peek} Anniversary Session

Monday, August 9, 2010 Posted in Engagement, Family

This fun couple came to Virginia Beach to vacation and celebrate their 10th anniversary. He gave her the photo session as a gift. Love that idea! Here are a couple of first peeks to get them started – more coming soon!

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ValerieAugust 11, 2010 - 10:45 am

OMG I luv this one! Can’t wait to see the rest..

Jody AveryAugust 11, 2010 - 4:17 pm

Wow, these are so amazing! What a wonderful anniversary gift.
Sounds like you had a great time visiting VA.
Jody

Melanie SelvitellaAugust 12, 2010 - 1:30 pm

These photos are just beautiful. Hope you had an awesome anniversary. It certainly looks like you did!!!

JenAugust 12, 2010 - 11:17 pm

These are great and I love the little comments she writes for each photo. The last one is my favorite!

{Featured Session} Indian River High School Senior Portraits

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 Posted in High School Senior, Senior

Meet Emily. Down to earth, obviously drop-dead gorgeous, second in her class at Indian River High School, on the volleyball team and involved in many other things as well. In short? She’s a keeper.Seriously – I love high school senior portrait sessions for this very reason, these teens are inspiring (not to be too cheesy, but they really are). ALL of the high school seniors I’ve photographed are kind, beautiful inside and out (I need a new saying for this because I am always saying it, but it’s *true*!), and a blast to work with as well.

Emily’s high school senior portrait session took place at two locations in Virginia Beach – one of which was obviously the beach. When possible and when clients are interested, I love to hit two locations. As you can see, it creates such variety in the photos. Emily also bravely and willingly changed clothes (behind a sheet her mom held up – thank you!) several times for more variety. It CAN be done, even outside! And changing clothes is encouraged – you can go for an informal look (jeans and a t-shirt, etc.) and a more formal look (for girls, maybe a skirt/top or dress and for guys, khakis, etc.). All in all, senior sessions should be about you. They can be longer or shorter (guys, I hear you and you typically don’t want to take photos for long and I get that, too!), and they can be personalized to who you are.