Each and every one of you are amazing, unique individuals that I am thankful for getting to know, no matter how short or long our time together.  I can’t wait to see what impact you make on this world!!  It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle of life so remember to stop every once and awhile to reflect on the past and observe the present. Before you know it, you’ll be in your 30′s, 60′s, 80′s… single, married, with children… wondering where the time went and what the kids these days see in the weird music playing on the radio.  (TRUST ME!)  As you prepare for the next chapter of your life, do me one favor, go to your music source of choice and listen to “Everybody’s Free (to wear sunscreen)”.  Yes, it’s cheeeeeeesssssssy, but it’s message will remind you of the important things in life.  I promise.

Congrats to all of you!!!

Desiderata -  Max Ehrmann
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.

And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

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Little Henry and Baby Amelia met me in Minneapolis for a family session a few weeks ago… I recently found a studio to rent on a temporary basis when I need an indoor location (perfect for Midwestern winters!)  It’s such a great space; just an old building with exposed brick, iron staircases and vintage hardwood floors.  Pretty sure Henry loved it as much as I do, because he spent much of the session exploring and playing with his favorite green truck, which gave me time to snap some shots of sleepy Amelia!  I just love when things work out like that…  :)

Oh, and Happy St Patty’s Day!

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ps…  check out the uncanny resemblance of the mary tyler moore statue to the statue of liberty!!!  ;)

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Have you heard of Etsy?  No?!  Oooohhh…. it’s awesome!  Etsy is a website that’s : “Your place to buy and sell all things handmade” and I drool over everything they have to offer.  It’s a site where all the goods are made and sold by individuals with a common bond to create things like jewelry, clothing, stationary, accessories, art, fun vintage goods, etc. and now you can even find some fancy photos by yours truly!

I’ve officially opened up my shop, and plan to add even more prints within the next couple weeks to keep things fresh, so be sure to check back often.  :)  I’m really excited about the Fine Art side of Amber Engfer Photography, as it’s long been my passion to make art with a camera and photographing objects, landscapes, and antique architecture is my favorite way to gather inspiration for my portrait and event sessions.  (it’s amazing the things you can learn while staring at a dried up flower through a lens at sunset!)

You can access my etsy shop a number of ways; either by clicking the following link:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/amberengferphoto
or through the “My Etsy” tab
on my Facebook fan page.

….. you have my permission to go check out my little shop now…  I’ll wait…..

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Oh, hey!  Welcome back!  I have some really fun things in the works for 2010, am shooting a crazy-awesome posh hotel wedding in March that I’m SO excited for, and have been acquiring a few photo props that I can’t wait to blog about, so stay tuned!!

Since no post is complete without an image or two, I thought I’d include a few food photos from the fun tea party/baby shower I attended over the weekend.  My friend Lisa is due next month and is starting a tea cup collection for her little girl-on-the-way, so our super fab shower hosts Van and Lauren asked everyone to bring a teacup to help out!  Cute, right?  Do these girls know how to throw a party or what?!?!  :)

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For last year’s words belong to last year’s language, And next year’s words await another voice.  And to make an end is to make a beginning. ~T.S. Eliot, “Little Gidding”

Already on day two of 2010… Since I planned to post this yesterday, I’ve already begun the year a little behind….  whoops.  Anyway, the only way I could see fit to properly begin a new year is with a wrap-up from the last 365 days… an out with the old and in with the new tribute of sorts… so… here it is,  9 of my top 9 Most Favorite-est Things from 2009! 

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Number 1.       Favorite Places Visited

1.      Akumal, MX
2.      Muyil Ruins – Quintana Roo, MX
3.      Coba Ruins – Quintana Roo, MX
4.      Tulum Ruins Beach
5.      San Francisco Supermercado – Tulum, MX
6.      The Joshua Forest Scenic Byway -Mojave Desert – NV and AZ
7.       Grand Canyon – West Rim – AZ
8.      Main Street Station Casino – Downtown LV
9.      The Bund – Shanghai, Asia 

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Number 2.       Favorite Restaurants/Food/drinks

1.        The Creamery Restaurant and Inn, Downsville, WI – anything and everything on the menu, for reals.
2.       Azia, Minneapolis, MN – Witches Brew Mojito.  Bubbly blackberry goodness!
3.       Akita, Woodbury, MN – All-you-can-eat Sushi for $25.  Yup, you heard me, Nope, that’s not a typo…
4.       Porter and Frye, Minneapolis, MN – The Starlight cocktail.  Absinthe and Ginger are truly a mix from heaven
5.       Mon Ami Gabi, Las Vegas, NV – Steak Frites.  To die for.  And even better when eaten on the balcony overlooking the Bellagio Fountains.  Go… Do…!
6.       La Lunita – Akumal, MX – Dinner by flashlight on the ocean, can’t get much better
7.       Lucy’s Kitchen – Akumal, MX – The best shrimp tacos anywhere and homemade coconut ice cream to boot
8.      RJ’s Meats, Hudson, WI – Black and Blue Brats.  Ohmigod, I’m not kidding, drive to Hudson right now and buy their entire stock.  They’re THAT good.
9.       Savories, Stillwater, MN – Breakfast Quiche of the week.  Even if you don’t like quiche, you’ll like their quiche.  yum! 

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Number 3.       Favorite Bloopers

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Number 4.       Good Reads – books, blogs, websites

1.      The Sookie Stackhouse Series – Book.  True Blood inspiration.  9 books and counting about your typical vampire/human mystery/adventure/romance.
2.      The Lettered Cottage – Blog.  A day in the life of a couple renovating their vintage home in ‘rustic shabby beach chic’ with no prior experience.  LOVE.
3.      Jasmine Star – Blog.   A fabulous OC wedding photographer whose not afraid to put it all out there.  An inspiration to ANYONE with a dream.
4.      The Pioneer Woman – Blog.  There’s nothing this woman can’t do!  She’s fabulous, she cooks, she decorates, and she documents with amazing photos.
5.      The Twilight Series – Book.  4 books about your typical teenager/vampire love connection paired with lots and lots of angst….
6.      Young House Love – Blog.  A day in the life of a couple renovating their mid-century home in ‘affordable chic’.  The transformation is amazing!
7.      Grooveshark – Website.   Free music listening radio/search site.  It’s like Pandora, but different, though just as awesome.
8.      Life In the Fun Lane – Blog.  She’s like the Canadian Rachel Ashwell, and named her daughter Wren.  Nuff said.
9.      Postcards From Yo Momma – Website.  “A repository of modern day maternal correspondence” and a guaranteed good laugh! 

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Number 5.       Random Thoughts

1.      I don’t like Las Vegas, but I’ll go back anytime for the steak at Mona Mi Gabi in Paris and a microbrew during happy hour at Main Street Station.
2.      The 1st year of my very own business was successful!  THANK YOU!
3.      Seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time was more beautiful than I ever imagined.  I highly recommend as 1 of 100 things to do before you die.
4.      I may – just may – have entirely too much stuff
5.      I live 7 blocks from the river – I need a boat.
6.      I’m going to need a bigger house for said boat and stuff.
7.      I love that my brother moved within 7 minutes from me this year.  I like him and I’m glad he’s around. :)
8.      My cat, Leya, hates having her picture taken – she just won’t hold still.  Wicket, on the other hand, is a camera hog.
9.      When I win the lottery, I’m going to buy a house on the ocean in Mexico, and you’re all invited to visit. 

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Number 6.       Most Favorite Random Shots

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Number 7.       Most Favorite Stuff

1.       HOME Egyptian Solutions Mattress Pad – Target.  Shameless plug, but ask anyone that has it.  Best… Mattress… Pad… EVER.  You’re welcome.
2.       My grandmother’s art easel.  my grammy, my inspiration and hero, attended art school way back in the 1930′s.  She took a bus to the Mpls Institute of Arts every day when most women were home taking care of their husband and children.  To have a symbol of her determination, independence and creativity means the world to me and I will cherish it till the day I die.
3.       Sirius Satellite Radio- because I can listen to fabulously obscure indie rock and my hubby can get football, anywhere… anytime…
4.      Minnesota Public Radio Sustaining Member Status – because I don’t mind paying for good music, and they deserve it. Because they’re awesome. :)
5.       SYNC – I can talk and drive hands free, I can tell my car to play ‘Tiffany’ when I want to hear it and a lovely voice gives me directions when I don’t know where to go…. how did I live for so long without this completely unnecessary and ridiculous luxury??
6.      Merona Shawl Collar Sweatshirt – Target.  The  unofficial casual Friday shirt of choice for women everywhere.  It’s a dressy sweatshirt – you can’t get any more stylish/comfortable/awesome than that!!
7.      Set of 2 vintage velvet occasional chairs – Craigslist – can’t WAIT to crank these babies out for a future photo shoot!
8.     My husband’s grandparent’s antique credenza – it sat in the same spot in their house for 50+ years, it’s perfectly weathered and is just the coolest piece of furniture we own.
9.      28 f/1.8 lens – *drool* and highly recommended to anyone with a crop sensor camera body.  Or a full sensor, for that matter. 

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Number 8.       Songs I Couldn’t Stop Listening To

1.      You Got the Love -  The XX/Florence and the Machine
2.      Supermassive Black Hole – Muse
3.      Zero – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4.      Velvet – The Big Pink
5.      Daniel – Bat for Lashes
6.      Sleepyhead – Passion Pit
7.      Kids – MGMT
8.      Sugarfoot – Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears
9.      Heavy Cross – Gossip 

and about 85 more…. if I dwell much longer, this list will change 12 more times…. as it already has.  :) 

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Number 9.       9 of 100 of My Favorite Photos

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This is Dreyfuss, he’s a lab/basset hound mix and he’s just as cute as that sounds.  Really!  Dreyfuss has short basset legs and huge basset paws with a ridiculously adorable lab face.  He’s sweet and careful and really funny, and boy oh boy is Dreyfuss spoiled!  His parents can’t help themselves, since he’s their first dog together….  But really, shouldn’t ALL pets be spoiled?  :)

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I digress.  Not only did I have a great time shooting little Elias, but I also got to play trains with big brother, Calvin.  Calvin LOVES trains.  And cars, and helicopters, planes….   We had a blast!  My favorite part about this ‘job’ is getting to bond with my clients.   Taking a time out to play in the sand or check out some toys or talk about the Jonas Brothers is a sure way to build some trust and ultimately capture better photos.
(plus, I get to have FUN in the process.)   :)

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This year’s sale is just around the corner, so I thought I’d share a few of the prints I’ll have for sale, just to get you geared up!  In addition, my lovely mom will have a few crafty items available as well, including her ever popular mitten clips and some fun, felted catch-all bags.   For more early looks at what will be available this year, make sure to check out Finch’s Boutique Blog all week for updates!

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Anywho, besides the whole soul reading thing, Patty’s your typical high school senior living in a small town, connected to the outside world through Facebook and ready to explore the world.  She’s planning on going into the medical field after graduation – I couldn’t be more proud of her!  I’m excited to see where life leads my littlest sister-in-law, and I know for certain it’s going to be fantastic.  :)

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okay…  I know this one isn’t totally in focus, but I just loved his expression sooo much, I HAD to post it!

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Congrats again and thanks!!

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At the end of the shoot, we headed down to the river to catch the setting sunlight…
little did I know, Hannah loves water…

I mean, REALLY loves water…

What started out as an innocent walk to the waters edge ended in a surprise bath in the St. Croix River!!!  Seriously, I was all, ‘aww look how cute with her wet bottom and the ripples in the water… pretty sunlight, wait, hannah, nooooooooooooo!!!’  Fortunately Hannah’s mom was just as excited about the photo op as I was, so we just laughed it off, I kept shooting, and Hannah continued to splash around while dad went to get the car….  :)

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