Tragedy in the Family | MN & IA Photographer

This is going to be a tough blog post for me.  Not only because I can hear the, "yea uh huh ok...I get it," cries, but it involves a member of my family who needs a lot of help right now.

These are photos from my sister's house.  On June 14th, 2012 her house, and ultimately her family, became the victims of a total house fire.  Everything was lost.  Food, clothes, cell phones, medication, and one of our father's last paintings he ever did the year he died.  Obviously she needs all the necessities again, but she'll get those back in time.  The biggest concern are her kids.  She has 2 girls, Whittney (14) and Sydney (11), and 2 boys, Bo (6) and Blake (3).  Sydney was born with cataracts and requires check up's every few years to see if her prescription glasses need to be changed, Bo has Autism and Blake requires special attention.  It would be easier for my sister to get these items back but as of right now, she's currently unemployed.

By a miracle of some kind, everyone was okay.  Whittney saved the life of her mother and her brother Bo and suffered minor smoke inhalation.  She didn't even think twice about it and this is what makes her a true hero in my book.

I'm not asking for sympathy.  The damage has been done.  But what I am BEGGING from anyone who is reading this, is help these kids out.  They need clothes and supplies for school, a new place to live, food in their stomach's and very important medication.

So here's what I'm offering until September 31st:

Unforgettable Memories Package - $250
1 hour session
12 4x6's in a 24 page album (so you can add your own unforgettable memories)
4 5x7's
2 8x10's
1 13x19
Archival disc of all edited photos from session ($200 value)
50% of the proceeds go to my sister and her kids


After seeing first hand what a fire can do to a family's safe haven, I don't want anyone to go through the same thing my sister did.  While the home, clothes, cell phone's, food and everything else that has materialistic value, memories are one thing that should never be lost.

PS: I know this is kind of choppy to read but I still don't have the right words to describe this or explain how I feel.  Still somewhat numb knowing that family could have easily died.

PSS:  Sis, if you're reading this, I love you and the kids very much.  Give them hug's and kisses from Uncle RyRy every night for me.



Sincerely,
Ryon McCamish
Owner/Photographer/Brother/Uncle of AMP Studios

Friday Favorite - Cutie Extraordinaire | Albert Lea MN Family Photographer

Have I got a treat for you!  I got a message on my Facebook page from a mom by the name of Lisa.  She said she had won a free session from a benefit that I had donated to and she wanted to have her family photos done before the session expired.  So we set up a date and time and within the first 15 minutes, I got this.

www.amp-studios.com

Here's why this is my favorite: he's innocent, he's adorable, he's a clothing model for AE and A&F and he's a heart breaker.  All the things I strive to be(some day...).



Cheers & Allons-y!

Friday Favorite - 'Nuff Said | MN & IA Photographer

So it's been awhile since I've done a Friday Favorite.  I've got a legitimate excuse though.  My other job got in the way, I did a redesign of the website and then this came along.

www.amp-studios.com

I don't think there's anything else I need to say about this photograph.  I think you can imagine why this is a Friday Favorite title 'Nuff Said.

Behind the Lens - Newborn Photography | MN & IA Portrait Photographer

I recently had the pleasure of being the photographer of my friend's twin newborn boys. I've never photographed newborns before, and for a while, had no intention to. I loved looking at newborn photos but I just felt like I couldn't be gentle enough nor create that "Awww!!" factor. But I eventually started getting curious and anxious to photograph a newborn. It's something I've never done before and I wanted to see what I could create or if it was for me.

Oh Boys...

It was getting closer and closer to photograph these two absolutely adorable newborns.  Usually when I do something new as a major milestone like this, I tend to get "wet myself" nervous.  This time though, I was utterly excited.  I went searching online for posing ideas, prop ideas, safety tips - just about anything you can think of when it comes to photographing newborns.  Of course I had the problem of finding anything for twins.  Did you know that twins are a pretty rare natural event?  Whudda thunk it...  So the day came to photograph these two boys and here's what happened.

 Be Still My Beating Heart

So I actually got to my friend's house later than I said I would be there.  Luckily, they weren't even fully up when I told them I was on my way.  I walk into his house and his wife starts going frantic.  "I'm so sorry that my house is a complete mess!"  You just had twins lady, I think you're allowed to have a messy house.  She starts cleaning while me and my friend play a little catch up and then I remembered why I was there.  So I bolted to the twins' room and just stand there with complete awe and amazement at what I was seeing.  I've seen plenty of newborns in my time, but never twins.  Just seeing these little guys made me think of my own newborn that's coming into this world.  Something so delicate, so precious and so amazing.  Thinking of one life coming out of a woman is still awe-inspiring but TWO?!  That's just sheer strength and power of a woman right there!  Now comes the fun part :-)

Becoming A Newborn Photographer

After I was done gawking at these two babe's, I went out in the living and started shifting stuff around to make way for my portable studio.  (Imagine carrying 50+lbs. worth of gear on your back, your arms are a perfect spot with anything that has a hole in it and you're doing a circus balancing act with anything in your hands.)  All I can say, and all I should say or I might just bore you to an eternal sleep, I spent 4 hours bossing my friend and his wife around, holding these two babies, seeing plenty of boy giblets, laughing, oo-ing and aww-ing, and completely forgetting everything else around me.  There have only been a few times in the past 2 years or so where I forget life even exists.  And this was one of those times.

To my friend Sam and his wife Annalin, thank you.  It was my pleasure to create something for you guys to enjoy for many years to come.  After photographing your two precious gems, I feel that this will be something I want to do more and more and will never get bored.

My Favorite

Here is my favorite shot that I took of Khristian.  I just love everything about this.  The colors, the pose, the feeling.  Every time I look at this, I become speechless.  If you want to see the rest of this session, you can go to my Website or Facebook page.

www.amp-studios.com

Khristian & Kheaton | MN & IA Newborn Photographer

Do I have a treat for you!

A friend of mine recently had a set of twin boys.  I sent him a message congratulating him on his new additions and that I want to take their newborn photos.  His sister was the one who actually contacted me and wanted me to do them.  I should note, my friend doesn't check his Facebook very often so he never got the message.  (He's kind of a loser like that...)  I got his wife's phone number, told her I would love to photograph the little bundle's of joy and set up a day and time.  As the days went on, I got more and more excited.  Looking at all the props out there for newborn's, some posing ideas, ideas on how to handle twins...everything you could possibly imagine.  I ran to the local hobby store the day before (20 miles away local) and picked up a few things that I had for some ideas.  And the results are below.

Those adorable hats were provided by Amarama Art (Facebook and Etsy)

I should mention, this was my FIRST EVER newborn photo shoot.

:-) Enjoy :-)

Khristian & Kheaton | MN & IA Newborn Photographer

Friday Favorite - Time Machine | Rochester MN Wedding Photography

"May the 4th be with you." -Star Wars geeks around the world

And ironically enough, it's Friday!  I decided to stick with the wedding theme this week and poke some fun at one of my best friends...

I have the pleasure (more like forced to do it) to be the photographer at my friend Richards' wedding.  That girl next to him?  His wife ChrisTina.  It was a very small wedding in downtown Rochester MN with about 40 people attending.  This was an interesting day for me.  The girlfriend wore a dress (she's a Tom Boy at heart), was in THE ideal location to be shooting a wedding (I love me some questionable alley's) and I was the best man.  Yea...I was doing double duty.  I was the photographer for their wedding AND I was the best man.  Luckily, I have a wireless remote so I could be in the shot as well.  Here's my pick of the litter:

http://www.amp-studios.com/wedmenu.html

The reason why this is my favorite is because it sets a tone for a more "yesteryear" feel.  Him wearing a white button-up shirt with just his vest, his goatee, her wearing a dress that's been in the family for a few decades...just the absolute perfect setting for a big city 1940's style wedding photo if you ask me.

Friday Favorite - Mission Complete | Owatonna Wedding Photography

In case you missed last week's blog (Friday Favorite - Pre-Wedding Excitement | Owatonna Wedding Photography), here's the conclusion.

"As they step into the light of the world for the first time, an emotion of glee and delight envelopes ones' heart, body and soul.  For now the world shall no longer know of two, but only of one."

That little quote was written by yours truly. (And on only one cup of coffee mind you!)

Jennifer and John's wedding was definitely a first for me.  They're both of different denominations so they had an officiant from two different churches.  Never seen it before, but I thought it was cool.

What I really like about this photograph, is it's their first time as a unite couple.  And you can see the utter joy the two have as well.  The color version of this wedding photo just didn't do this shot justice.