Amber Engfer Photography

Sneak Peek: Angela and Grant

amber — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 04:03:50 +0000

Grant and Angela got married in Rice Lake, WI last weekend! I couldn’t help myself – I had to post just ONE before the weekend and I LOVE this photo. :) Can’t wait to show you more but I’m a little behind on blogging, so a teaser is all you get for now… Happy Weekend!

Sneak Peek: The P Family

amber — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 02:07:46 +0000

Cutest… family… EVER! More to come sometime this week on the session I did with my lovely college friend Gretchen and her family last weekend as well as a peek from the Rice Lake, WI wedding I shot yesterday! Lots happening this month… stay tuned!!

Sneak Peek: Emily and Chris

amber — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 03:46:31 +0000

I’m getting ready for yet another busy weekend, but came across this shot from Emily and Chris’s fabulous Stillwater, MN wedding last weekend and had to post! Happy weekend!

The S Family: Just Because

amber — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 04:49:14 +0000

And, of course, just few from the family session taken during John’s high school senior photo shoot. I LOVE the red door and stucco wall, which coincidentally was a happy little accident, thanks to a little too much wind in the wrong place!

John: Senior 2011

amber — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 04:37:33 +0000

Well, this post is LONG overdue! John is going to be a Senior at Mounds View High School next year, so I drove out to his parent’s house for a combo High School Senior/Family Session last month. We spent some time in their beautifully landscaped yard, then took a jaunt through the North Oaks area for some of what may be my favorite locations ever! John, like a lot of guys his age, didn’t want much to do with photos, but he was a great sport and I’m pretty sure, though my Zoolander references were completely lost on him (apparently I’m old and need some new material), by the end he may have even started to have a little fun! That or he was just happy to be done… :) Either way, we got some great shots out of the deal, which makes me happy as a clam. Congrats John and good luck next year!

Sneak Peek: John, Class of ‘11

amber — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 01:39:26 +0000

Just a quick post from John’s recent High School Senior session. As always, more to come soon!!

Braden: One Year

amber — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 17:31:50 +0000

This little man melted my heart when I met him, and not because it was 85 degrees during our session… Just LOOK at those eyes! I met up Braden and family in Stillwater last weekend for a quick “Braden is One!” photo shoot and quickly realized that Braden’s parents attended UW-Stout like me! I love meeting new clients and finding we have so much in common – it makes this job so much fun! I had a blast reliving our college years while chasing after Braden, who recently learned how to walk and kept us all on our toes. I wouldn’t have had it any other way though – sometimes action shots make for the best photos! :)

Sneak Peek: Baby Braden

amber — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 03:07:39 +0000

Braden is ONE!! Thought I’d post just one from my session last weekend with Braden and family. Don’t worry, I’ll have more up this weekend!

Baby Luke: 9 months

amber — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 03:53:31 +0000

Luke’s parents invited me out to their house last week to photograph their sweet little baby Luke – isn’t he the cutest? And such a smiley, happy nine month old! After a week of rain and one reschedule due to weather, we ended up with a perfectly sunlit evening for photos. Luke’s parents have a fabulous yellow house with some of those awesome rolling St. Croix Valley hills as a backdrop. Oh, AND a wrap-around porch! I dream of wide, open porches at night, no kidding, they’re by far my favorite feature of a house. I loved the little details so much, I may just have to sneak out there for photos of my own family soon…!! :)

Sneak Peek: Baby Luke

amber — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:10:24 +0000

Just a quick peek of little cutie Luke from a session earlier this week - I think this photo may be one of my new favorites!!

Kara and Zach got Married!!

amber — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:30:50 +0000

Kara and Zach tied the knot yesterday in the beautiful town of Savannah, GA… Hooray K&Z!! I wish I could have been there as I’m sure it was absolutely fabulous!! Kara and Zach won their wedding photography through a contest given by the amazingly talented Katee Grace – how awesome is that!?!? Check out Katee’s website in the coming weeks for a peek at the festivities (which, knowing Kara, are bound to be full of uber fantastic DIY and vintage touches!)

Congratulations guys!

Sabrina and Family: Maternity Session

amber — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:36:55 +0000

Remember Hannah, my cute little water lover from last year? Well her mom, Sabrina, is due with TWINS next month!! Isn’t that just awesome?! The whole family came over to Hudson last week for a maternity/family shoot on what turned out to be a perfect summer-like evening. Hannah even played on the river’s edge without getting soaked! All in all, a great day – and I can’t wait to meet the new additions!!

Ethan and Family: Hudson, WI

amber — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:03:59 +0000

Ethan and his parents came to Hudson a few weeks back for their yearly family photos and I can’t believe how much he’s changed in a year! Full of spunk and personality, this little man is going to be a heartbreaker for sure! We were fortunate enough to beat the rain showers that have been torturing the area for the last few weeks, and with the overcast skies, we had lots of options for great lighting. Sometimes rain isn’t a bad thing! Oh, and according to Ethan, Hudson smelled like bacon that day, so we had that going for us as well. :)

On a business note – I’m slowly working on making some updates to the site, so check back often for new and exciting stuff! Happy Tuesday!!

Sneak Peek: Sabrina

amber — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 02:01:27 +0000

I hope to have a few sessions up by weeks end, but thought I’d post a quick peek from the maternity session I shot last night. Isn’t that just the cutest bump?! I can’t wait to share more!

Sneak Peek: Ethan and Family

amber — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 17:14:34 +0000

I got to see my buddy Ethan again today!! It’s hard to believe a whole year has gone by since the last time he and his parents came to visit me for a family shoot. Fortunately for us, the weather held out just long enough for some great shots and playtime at the park. Here’s my favorite of the day, more to come shortly!!

2010 High School Seniors: Graduation!

amber — Mon, 31 May 2010 19:18:53 +0000

Celebration is most definitely in order as all my super awesome 2010 High School Seniors are graduating in the coming weeks! The Hubs and I spent Saturday of this weekend enjoying time with family at the first of many graduation parties this summer. Among the acres of food and cupcakes and good company, it reminded me of how many fabulous Seniors I met in just the 1st year of my business.

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.

Email Crisis Averted!

amber — Tue, 25 May 2010 11:44:38 +0000

My little email situation has been resolved – thank goodness! Of course it was user error, having to do with spam folder settings and such, as all email related issues tend to be for me… :)

Since no post is complete without a photo – here’s a quicky from our recent trip to the North Shore and Canada. I have lots more where this came from, and hope to post some soon! Happy Tuesday – have a great week!!!

We may be having some technical difficulties….

amber — Mon, 24 May 2010 16:21:25 +0000

Hi All!

I may or may not be receiving emails in a consistent manner – so until I can get to the bottom of this, if you’ve sent me an email recently and have not received a response, please PLEASE try again!

Happy Monday!
-a-

Olivia and Connor: Minneapolis Studio

amber — Sun, 23 May 2010 03:04:53 +0000

Ahhh, the wonders of modern technology… I’m currently on a plane on my way home from a quick trip to Atlanta, GA, so figured, “what better way to pass the time then by posting a ridiculously passed due session?”

Olivia, Connor and their parents drove all the way from Menomonie, WI a few weeks back for a shoot at the studio I rent; isn’t that awesome!? Olivia and Connor’s mom is friends with Adia’s mom, so booked some time after seeing Adia’s recent modeling post! Even though Connor wasn’t completely up for photos that day, (partly my fault since I think I allowed for just a little too much fun before getting down to the photo nitty gritty) we still managed to get some fabulous shots in of brother, sister and the whole fam… and I even snuck a few in of Mom and Dad! :)

Cousins: Calvin, Elias, Sophia and Oden

amber — Fri, 14 May 2010 12:23:33 +0000

A few weeks back I met with Sarah and Jason and Jason’s sister, Christine, to photograph their little ones as Sarah and Christine wanted some pics of the cousins for a Mothers Day present. You may remember Sarah and Jason’s kids from our last session, taken when little Elias was just a wee babe! After quite a bit of bribing with jelly beans and playground promises, and a lot of patience from the wee ones, we ended up with some fabulous shots! Getting four children engaged at the same time is a challenge, but no joke, these are four fantastic kids!!!

I couldn’t help myself on this next one… Elias, Calvin and Sophia just look so…. concerned about poor Oden! Love it!