First and foremost, when choosing a location, it's important to consider the variety of options available for different poses. A picturesque park or a charming farm, for example, can provide multiple backdrops that are perfect for your photo session. Not only that, these locations also offer ample opportunities for candid shots, capturing the natural beauty of your family as they run and play in the great outdoors. For parents, this natural feel can be especially helpful in getting your children to feel at ease during the session, resulting in stunning photos that truly reflect your family's unique dynamic.

Of course, lighting is another critical factor that can make or break your photos. While photographers can work around different lighting scenarios using settings and flashes, selecting the best time of day for your location can truly take your photos to the next level. Whether it's avoiding too much sun that leaves everyone squinting, or ensuring your skin is well-lit against a dark background, understanding the lighting situation ahead of time is essential. Most photographers are happy to visit the location ahead of time to assess the lighting situation and ensure your photos are as beautiful as possible.

Finally, your photos should reflect your personal style, decor, and the home where they will be displayed. A farm or nature park can be the perfect fit for those with a country aesthetic, while a rural park or city scene may be more suited for those with a modern style. For a unique and edgy look, alleys can offer a visually striking backdrop that is sure to make a statement.

At the end of the day, the key to selecting the perfect location for your photo session is to find a place that resonates with you and your unique style. With my expert guidance, we can work together to ensure that your photos are a true reflection of your family's beauty, captured in a setting that is just right.

Reach out today to get started in planning your perfect photo session!

508-269-6434

amylimaphotos@gmail.com

•  choosing outfits for the whole family (we know mom does this!)
•  booking a time of day that works for everyone's schedule - work around sports, spouse's work, nap time, meals...
•  spouses and kids may look at is as a chore or they'd rather be doing something else
•  will everyone cooperate and look natural?

Don't put off making those family memories and creating artwork that you will treasure for years to come. If you value photography, taking the time to have photos taken should be stress free. Let me help you make this experience a joyful one and not a task. 

1. Start in your own closets. In my opinion, there's no need to go out and spend tons of money on new outfits. Give everyone in the family a color scheme to start with and go from there. Mom may need to help the little ones, but older children and spouses should be able to come up with a few choices. I prefer a color theme that blends well rather than being super matchy-matchy. Don't wait until the morning of the session to prepare outfits. At least the day before, make sure everything is out, clean, wrinkle-free and ready to go (including accessories and shoes). 

2. Find a photographer with flexibility and you are sure to find someone to work around your family's schedule. For children, after a meal and not too close to nap time is best. Book well in advance to be sure you don't have any conflicts. Or if last minute works best for your family, photographers love getting a last minute opportunity to hop on a session. 

3.  Sometimes bribery works here.  I have had clients bring snacks or candy to encourage children and babies during their session. If you choose to do this please bring clean, light colored snacks. AKA no chocolate :)  Another idea is to plan something fun to do as a family afterwards and keep reminding them about it during the session. For example, "A few more poses and we get to go out for ice cream together." A few ideas include, out to eat, a movie, a park, a playground, a hike, shopping. If they have a fun activity to look forward to afterwards it will encourage them to cooperate and move the session along swiftly.

4.  I have had some sessions where maybe not everyone is cooperating, but guess what? We still make it work! If there is a cranky toddler, a crying baby, or a dog who won't sit still...don't fret! I'm very understanding and patient. All it takes is a few really great shots to get some quality images for your prints, cards, or however you plan to use them. Often times a session that feels like it isn't going smoothly, ends up with some wonderful photos. Let the photographer worry about catching moments and getting everyone posed and set up. Also, sometimes candids end up being the favorites. 

Don't let fear keep you from creating wonderful memories for your family. Go ahead and book the session and update your family photos. You won't regret it!

Book your on location photography session today!

Call or text: 508-269-6434

email: amylimaphotos@gmail.com

A wonderful spot to do a session during the winter is in your own home. There is plenty of seating to work with and we can look around and find the perfect locations. We can use your front porch/doorway, living room, fireplace etc.  

Outdoor sessions still work in the winter too! We can take outdoor photos in a spot that doesn't reveal the season. Another option is an outdoor session in a city location. I shoot lots of sessions in Uptown Greenville and Downtown Winterville. We can make use of brick walls, murals, alleyways, benches, doorways, and more. The weather doesn't typically get extremely cold, so even if it's a little chilly, we can make it work. If it's a brisk day you can bring a coat or blanket with you and use it in between poses.

I also like wardrobe choices during the winter. You can have a lot of fun with dark colors, different textures, and accessories. I can help if you need ideas for this as well! 

So don't wait, contact me today to book your Winter Session! 

Call or text: 508-269-6434

email me: amylimaphotos@gmail.com

Here are a few examples of some great winter time sessions!

The Painted Peacock -Paint your own pottery, board, or do clay impressions. Retail items are also available.

Flower and Folk - The greatest smelling soaps and candles!

Jennifer Lima Photography - New England friends - Get your holiday and family photos done here! Jen does weddings too.

Loop by Loop Studio - Rug hooking gifts and kits available!

Local Oak Brewing Co. - Stop in for a post shopping beer or purchase gifts. They have beer to go, gift cards, and apparel. You can order on line too!

Peachie Dolls Clothing - On line consignment shop. It's a great spot to pick some holiday wear for your little ones.

Crunchi - Clean beauty skincare and make-up. I love this stuff! Carrie is very helpful if you need help or suggestions.

1910 House - Traveling to New England this holiday season? Gorgeous suite in Warren, RI.

Amy Lima Photos - Of course you can shop with yours truly! Book your 2022/2023 photo session today. I also have prints and gift certificates available. 

Chrome Photo Co - For  business owners, Lia is your girl for product and marketing photography.

The Farmer's Daughter - Unique clothing, jewelry, and gifts. Freshen up your holiday wardrobe or shop for gifts. Located in Greenville, you can shop on line too!

Steko Strength - Personal training with one-on-one or small group options. They have virtual training too!

Spartan Pro Wash - Need a clean exterior for the holidays or new year? Chad is your man!

Oh Happy Day Balloon Decor - Having a party? Kelli makes THE best balloon decor!

Let me know some of your favorite small and local businesses!

I mainly do newborn sessions in the family's home. Everyone is comfortable and no travel is necessary. It's also a lot easier to take feeding breaks or do outfit changes in your own home. The nursery is a great place to take some of the photos to capture that special time. Although the new baby is the star of the show, I also include mom & dad and siblings if possible. I've even done some with pets too!  

If you're expecting or know a mom to be, reach out to book your session or purchase a gift certificate.  

508-269-6434

amylimaphotos@gmail.com

We had so much fun planning each month and coming up with different ideas. We did a lot of seasonal sessions and she was always prepared with ALL the props and outfits. She used Pinterest a lot and we did our best to recreate some of her favorites. Some were a success and some were not...which gave us lots of laugh! We had cat bomb photos, crying, squirming, feeding and diaper breaks, and some overall Pinterest fails. I loved being able to use my creativity, practice in different lighting situations, and learn more about photographing a baby. When her second daughter came along we started it up again with her. Unfortunately I moved away during her first year, so we were able to use some of the sessions I did but mom had to supplement with some of her own. Both collages came out fantastic and mom & dad had them printed on canvas to hang in their home. Not only do they have the photos to cherish for years, they also have the memories of each special photo session. 

Starting now through 2023 I am offering a very special Milestone Package. Instead of monthly like I with this project, I offer several mini sessions.

This includes newborn, 3 month, 6 month, 9 month, and one year.  $600

Sessions include an on line gallery with digital download. Additional sessions may be purchased at an additional cost.  Prints and products also may be purchased.  

Pre-purchase as a gift for mom-to-be is available. 

Call or email to purchase! 508-269-6434 or amylimaphotos@gmail.com

I love seeing groups of friends and family gather together for a girls' night out for a great cause. We even have a few men in attendance. Everyone enjoys a dinner + drinks, bingo games, perusing raffle packages, and taking photos. It truly is heartwarming to see everyone come together to support this important cause. All funds raised stay right here in our community helping local breast cancer patients going through treatment. 

Most of our lives have been affected by breast cancer in some way. My mom and mother in law are breast cancer survivors! My grandmother had breast cancer too. Volunteering at and photographing Bingo for Breast Cancer is one way I can give back and show my support. 

Save the date for next year, 9/28/23!!!

• The weather will be perfect - finally not too hot!
• The lighting is gorgeous at this time of year
• Many outdoor locations look so pretty in the Fall
• You can use fall florals or pumpkins
• Get a head start on holiday shopping - photo gifts are the best and you can check holiday card photos off your list
• Update your family photos - pets are welcome too

Put down your pumpkin spice latte and get in touch with me! I have availability on weekends or weekdays/evenings. 

508-269-6434

amylimaphotos@gmail.com

We did her session at the brand new pedestrian bridge in Providence, RI.  We had so much fun chatting and catching up and she was a pro at posing. It was super sunny morning with no clouds, so that was a little challenging, but we used different angles and locations to make it work. How beautiful! Thank you Lexey for including me in this special time in your life. I hope you have a wonderful senior year! I know big things are ahead for you, this is just the beginning! Yay class of 2023!
 

The first one I did on Friday afternoon with my cousin's son Mitchell. I'm very close with my family and have literally watched him grow up. It meant a lot to me for them to ask me to take his senior photos. Especially because it took a lot of coordinating since I don't live there anymore. I had to make it happen! 

We decided to do his session at Colt State Park in Bristol, RI. We had so much fun! I love how he incorporated some different things to showcase his personality and things that mean a lot to him. He had outfit changes, his basketball, a basketball jersey, and his dad's class ring. I love it when seniors bring meaningful items with them for the session. 

I hope you have a fabulous senior year of high school Mitch. I know you are going places and I am so very proud of you! Yay Class of 2023!

I wish ALL educators and students the best year yet!! Happy New School Year!

I'm booking for Fall and don't forget, for every event and session I book, I donate to a local classroom via Donors Choose.

In honor of the new school year, here's a little throwback for you...my senior photo circa 1994

Summer is my favorite season, but I am looking forward to Fall activities, cooler weather, and photo sessions. I'm already booking for September and October so if you want to get on my calendar, let me know! I also have some fun Fall and Holiday mini sessions in the works, so stay tuned for more information on that. 

Off to the pool! What have you been doing this summer? I'd love to hear about it!

The nation’s first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in the state of Washington. However, it was not until 1972—58 years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day official—that the day honoring fathers became a nationwide holiday in the United States.
 

I'm New England-bound and get to celebrate Father's Day with my Dad this year! Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there, and especially mine. The man who is the hardest worker I know, so much fun, and just loves his family with all his heart + more and loves, loves spending time with everyone. I know you'll be on the golf course, where you belong, but glad we have the weekend to spend time together and celebrate! You're the best Dad and Boppa out there!

• Home Decor - mugs, plates, coasters, or candles with photos on them
• Framed print - A classic! I love to decorate with memories. I especially like to frame photos of trips we've taken. 
• Photo book - Don't leave those digital images on a device! This is the new photo album. 
• Device case - phone, tablet, iPad - this is a great one for grandparents and parents. 
• Gift certificate - GC for Amy Lima Photos may be used for prints or a session

Hydrangea

Moms are quite special and they deserve more than one day to be thanked for all they do every single day and beyond. But of course we make sure our moms feel extra special on their day. This year I will celebrate with my mom one week later, and I can't wait to hug her!  

Life doesn't come with a manual, it comes with a mother.  ~ Good Housekeeping  

Happy Mother's Day to all the rockstar moms out there!!!!

I know how much teachers sacrifice. To show my appreciation for the teachers in our community I am offering this special:

On location mini session 

$30 ($90 value!!)

20 minutes

15-20  digital images with printing rights

** Session needs to be booked during the month of May, but can be scheduled during May or at a later date

** May be purchased as a gift certificate for an educator

** May 1 - 31, 2022

Contact me today to book! call or text: 508-269-6434  email: amylimaphotos@gmail.com

We both learned some lessons from these sessions. Getting in front of the camera is not easy! It can be awkward. We had a conversation about how we both now better understand how our clients feel when we are having them pose.  It usually takes a little time for people to warm up and get comfortable being photographed. Having our photos taken gave us both a better appreciation for what posing and following direction feels like. We agreed that this experience will help us to be even better photographers.  Check out a few of my faves that I took of Lia!

The day of the mini sessions was pretty, sunny, and warm....but it was a little windy at the farm. Everyone looked great and had fun despite the wind! I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to doing more floral sessions there. Sunflowers and zinnias are next, so be on the lookout for booking information!  Full sessions are offered as well. So if you are looking for a unique location for your Spring photo session, let me know!

• The lighting is so beautiful at this time of year. It's staying lighter later, so we have some pretty times of day and also more options when booking your time slot. 
• The weather is warm but not too warm, you want to get your session in before it gets too hot around here. 
• Spring holidays! Start gift shopping for Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Graduation, Teacher Appreciation, Weddings, Birthdays. You can use prints from your session as gifts and I have gift certificates available as well.  GC can be used for a session fee or to order prints.  My landscape prints make great gifts too!
• Graduation - High school and college grads it's time for your senior photos!  Even if you aren't crazy about the idea, you know your family will love them. 
• On location - There are so many pretty spots around and Springtime is just gorgeous. We can meet at the location of your choice or I'll come to your home. I'll help you choose the perfect setting.
• Pets are welcome! 

Ready to book? 

amylimaphotos@gmail.com 

508-269-6434

I'm offering a session special during the month of April for all college graduates:

On location session

$90

30 minutes

20-25 digital images with printing rights

Referral gift - refer a friend and receive a complimentary 8x10 print of your choice from your session

Contact me now to book! call or text: 508-269-6434  email: amylimaphotos@gmail.com

Do you need to freshen up your home decor? Need a gift? Check out my prints available in many sizes and styles. They are on sale for 20% off for the month of February! Use the code:  LOVE21

Happy shopping and let me know if you have any questions! 

• I donate a portion of every session fee to Donors Choose, helping local educators fund projects for their classrooms.
• I spend time before, during, and after your session to ensure I'm capturing your vision and meeting your needs. 

• As a former teacher, I love working with children. I am patient and friendly.

• Turnaround time is QUICK! You will have your gallery with beautiful digital images within 2 days after your session.

• I love doing on location, outdoor photos. You get to choose your location.

• Pets are welcome.

I also offer on location indoor sessions, don't let the cold weather scare you away. 
If outdoors is your preference, nice weather will be here before you know it, so don't wait, book today! 

508-269-6434

amylimaphotos@gmail.com

• First, I'm beyond happy for travel. I was able to host visitors, visit family and friends, and take trips with my husband.  
• My photography business continues to grow and I'm so excited about that! I'm grateful for everyone who chooses me and look forward to photographing everyone this year, both new and current clients.
• I started Teacher Tribe, an online community for educators on Patreon, and had so much fun creating content! I can't wait to share more with everyone and hope to expand my following.
• I'm lucky that I'm able to donate a portion of my session fees, volunteer with Greenville Women's League, and give to causes my husband and I believe in.

This year I hope to continue traveling and spending time with loved ones, book lots of photo sessions, write (journaling and blog posts), network much more with fellow creatives, make a difference in my community, and continue to learn about marketing and business.  

How about you? What did you love about 2021? What are your dreams for this year?

Happy New Year!!!

Shop Small - I wrote a post a few weeks ago highlighting some of my favorite small businesses, if you missed it take a look HERE

Experiences - Sometimes shopping for someone can be tricky because what do you get the one who has it all? I love giving the gift of a fun experience.  Some ideas include gift cards for ice or roller skating, an arcade, trampoline park, museum, play, concert, movies.  I like to think outside the box here and find something fun and different to do.  The first couple of  years that my husband and I were together we bought  each other birthday/holiday gifts. But then we started planning something to do together like going to a concert, sporting event, or on a mini getaway.  Quality time together is so much more meaningful to us. 

Gift Cards - I am not a huge fan of gift cards, but if you can get one for somewhere special, it's more significant.  Instead of a big box store or chain restaurant....try getting a GC for a local business such as a boutique, restaurant, or cafe. Etsy is a great site for a gift card as well. 

Photography - Photo gifts are wonderful.  People enjoy decorating their homes with prints from their favorite places and photos showing some fond memories.  Framed prints, canvas, metals, home decor, mugs, ornaments, and jigsaw puzzles are a few examples of great photo gifts.  You could also get a family a GC for a photo session.  This is an especially good idea for moms.  

Do you have any other ideas? I'd love to hear about them!

Happy Holidays!!

Throughout 2021 I am donating to teachers' classrooms via Donors Choose. It brings me joy to be able to support education even though I am no longer in the classroom. I know how much it means to the teachers and students to receive donations. If you are looking for somewhere to give back, Donors Choose is a wonderful organization. If you haven't heard of them, take a look!  Visit here

This holiday season I donated a portion of my mini session proceeds to local, Pitt County teachers on their Donors Choose pages. I love any opportunity to help our community and I'm grateful for all of my clients and that I'm able to give back for Giving Tuesday and all year long. 

I encourage you to choose your favorite cause and give back today. We can all make a difference. No matter if it's a little or a lot, you are helping someone and that is amazing. 

     "I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples." - Mother Teresa

Take advantage of this wonderful offer!  Now through Friday 12/3.

508-269-6434

amylimaphotos@gmail.com

In celebration of Small Business Saturday, I'm offering a Session Bundle.  Purchase 3 full photo sessions for $300!!

Contact me to purchase!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Throughout my childhood my parents hosted, and in later years my aunt and uncle. After I met my husband we went to my sister in law's in NH and for the last several years we have hosted in our new home in North Carolina. This year we have family coming down to NC and we are staying in an Outer Banks beach house for a week! I've always been surrounded by a big crowd on Thanksgiving and I love that so much. I could go on FOREVER about what I'm grateful for, I truly am fortunate in a multitude of ways. So today I will take a moment to reflect on and be present in the gratitude I feel. 

There is always, always something to be thankful for. ~ Unknown

I hope you find yourself surrounded by your loved ones and feeling grateful on this wonderful day! 

The Painted Peacock -Paint your own pottery, board, or do clay impressions. Custom retail items also available.

Flower and Folk - The greatest smelling soaps and candles!

Jennifer Lima Photography - New England friends - Get your holiday and family photos done here! Jen does weddings too!

Loop by Loop Studio - Rug hooking gifts and kits available!

Local Oak Brewing Co. - Stop in for a post shopping beer or purchase gifts. They have beer to go, gift cards, and apparel. You can order on line too!

Peachie Dolls Clothing - On line consignment shop. It's a great spot to pick some holiday wear for your little ones.

Crunchi - Clean beauty skincare and make-up. I love this stuff! Carrie is very helpful if you need help or suggestions.

New England Crochet Company - Handmade crochet apparel and accessories

1910 House - Traveling to New England this holiday season? Gorgeous suite in Warren, RI.

Amy Lima Photos - Of course you can shop with yours truly! Book your 2020 photo session today. I also have prints and gift certificates available. 

Kodachrome Photo Co - For  business owners, Lia is your girl for product and marketing photography.

I have more time slots available if these dates don't work for you. 

I have full sessions available as well. If you need a bigger time slot, I can give you more info on what type of session will fit your photography needs. 

Reach out and we will set something up!

amylimaphotos@gmail.com

508-269-6434

So why me?

As a former teacher, I love working with children. I am patient and friendly.

Turnaround time is QUICK! You will have your gallery with digital images within 2 days after your session.

I love doing on location, outdoor photos. You get to choose your location.

Pets are welcome. 

Now booking mini and full sessions. Message me at 508-269-6434 or amylimaphotos@gmail.com

I absolutely LOVE seeing everyone's back to school photos. Keep sharing them!  Here are a few shots of my first day of Kindergarten, 1981.  I didn't attend preschool, so it was my first time going away from home to school.  From the looks of it, I had a great time!

Happy New School Year!

First, I have known the bride since she was in elementary school, she is the best friend of my cousin. I knew her all through her childhood and also photographed her proms and took her senior photos.  It meant a lot to me to be there for her BIG day!

Next, my two cousins were in the wedding party. It was fun to be there with them while they celebrated with their lifelong friends and took part in the wedding. I knew most of the wedding party as well. They all looked gorgeous and genuinely enjoyed themselves so much!

Another wonderful thing about photographing back in Massachusetts is that I got to partner up with my sister-in-law Jen (Jennifer Lima Photography) again! When I lived in MA, we used to shoot weddings together all the time. We stepped right back into our roles like a day never passed and had so much fun working together again! I loved being back in action with my partner in crime!

Another reason that this wedding was so special to me was watching family and friends come together to celebrate in person. We all know how many weddings, trips, and events have been canceled since 2020 and it was heartwarming to see everyone celebrating, hugging, dancing, and just loving being together again.  

Finally, I was able to take this opportunity to visit family and friends. After not being able to travel for over a year...it's been so great to be able to see my New England peeps again!  This is something I will never take for granted. The wedding was a great reason to sneak in another trip up North! 

The day was FILLED with laughter, enjoyment, and love. Take a look at a few of my favorite moments. 

I'd like to give a huge thank you to Lia of Kodachrome Photo Co.  She made me feel very comfortable, involved me in the decisions, and I think the photos came out great! We spent a pretty afternoon in Uptown Greenville. I love taking people there for sessions, therefore I thought it would be the perfect spot. 

Here are a couple of my favorites. :) 

This year I won't see my dad on Father's Day, but I'll see him next week so we can celebrate together then! I'm so grateful that we are able to travel and get together with family and friends again. My Dad has always been there for me. He is one of the hardest working people I know, he puts his family and career on the top of his list. But he also makes time for fun! He loves golfing, swimming, and spending time with family. I miss my parents tons and I can't thank them enough for guiding me to the place I am today. They are wonderful role models. So on this Father's Day, I say THANK YOU Dad. Enjoy your day, I'm sure you'll spend it golfing and poolside. :)

This photo was taken 3 days after I was born. My mom wrote on the back of it "Your daddy didn't hesitate holding right on to you. And you snuggled right into his arms."

Happy Father's Day!

In addition to my mom, I have great female role models in my life. Aunts, cousins, in laws, friends, colleagues, and more! Mothers are the strongest women I'll ever meet and I hope they all know how amazing that they are. It truly does take a village and none of us would be where we are today without amazing moms...our own and others who come into our lives in big and small ways.  

I hope all the moms out there enjoy their special day. Happy Mother's Day! 

Enjoy a peek at their session and contact me to book yours today. This time of year is perfect!!

amylimaphotos@gmail.com

508-269-6434

I'll be looking for some new spots to take photos this Spring, if you have a favorite, please share it with me!

Please take the time to check out some of these amazing businesses and follow them on social media!

The Painted Peacock - Paint your own pottery studio. Create your own home decor or gifts or shop their retail line.

Salt Beauty & Wellness - Best spa in Greenville. Treat yourself to some pampering, shop their gift area, or purchase gift cards.

Everley - Shop green, toxin free beauty, fashion, and home products. In honor of this day, everything at Everley is 25% OFF with code WOMENSDAY25

Flower & Folk - The best smelling handmade candles, soaps, and accessories. 

Trades of Hope - Jewelry and accessories that make great gifts or dress up your Spring look.

Loop by Loop Studios - Rug hooking kits and gifts available. I have a lot of items from Loop by Loop and have bought gifts too!

Peachie Dolls Clothing - On line consignment shop. It's a great spot to pick some Spring wear for your little ones.

Simple & Sentimental - Customized gifts, make it personal this year!

Longest Time Design - Personalized stationery - perfect for a gift, yourself, or your 2021 wedding.

Jennifer Lima Photography - New England peeps - get your family photos done here! 

Amy Lima Photos - Of course you can shop with yours truly! Book your 2021 photo session today. I also have prints and gift certificates available. 

Firefly Wine - My favorite spot to find unique wines! Shop for gifts or your hosting needs. The staff is super helpful.

Crunchi - Clean beauty skincare and make-up. I love this stuff! Ryann is very helpful if you need help or suggestions.

New England Crochet - Handmade crochet apparel and accessories

Define You - Health & Wellness Coaching

Devoted Mental Wellness - Counseling for Children, Parents, and Women

I'm offering a session special during the month of April for all college graduates:

$90

30 minutes

20-25 digital images with printing rights

Referral gift - refer a friend and receive a complimentary 8x10 print of your choice from your session

Contact me today to book! call or text: 508-269-6434  email: amylimaphotos@gmail.com

I love IG because it's neat and clean and mostly photos. It's fun to look at without all the "noise".  Of course I post photos of my sessions and travel. But I also enjoy posting quotes, fun things, and some personal pics so you can get to know me better. 

Amy Lima Photos: https://www.instagram.com/amylimaphotos/
My personal IG: https://www.instagram.com/mrslima07/

Follow me and I'll follow you back!  

Check me out! Second year of teaching, 4th grade. 

We've all had difficult times in our lives before and we made it through, we will make it through this as well. Be kind, be patient, continue to support family, friends, and businesses. We are all in this together. 

My bright spots of 2020

• My husband and I took a trip to Asheville Super Bowl weekend. It was our last trip before the quarantine started.  We went to see the Lumineers!
• I worked out more and found an amazing virtual gym  - Camp Gladiator
• I walked outside - A LOT
• Spent quality time together and bonded with my husband
• Found new ways to keep in touch with family and friends - video chats, long phone calls, and lots of texts
• Kind deeds - I saw so much kindness on the news, in my neighborhood, in my community
• Cooked and baked a lot - Both old and new recipes
• Slowed down
• Listened to more music
• Education - I did lots of webinars, on-line workshops, reading
• Worked on some new business ideas
• Read lots of books
• Cleaned and organized
• Let go of some things that did not matter
• Listened to new podcasts and audiobooks
• Watched some great shows and movies
• Enjoyed lots of outdoor time 
• Went to the beach
• Supported local businesses - lots of take out, beer to go, and shopping on line
• I am grateful to have both of my jobs - photographer and nanny to the best 2 boys 

Look back at your 2020 and try to find the bright spots. Then, let go of 2020 and write a list of goals and wishes for 2021. 

Happy New Year!! Wishing you all a safe, healthy, happy 2021! Let's look forward to a year of hope, love, and happiness.

I am celebrating the growth of my photography business. I look forward to what awaits Amy Lima Photos in 2021! My heart is happy and I am grateful that I was able to keep my business running and my nanny job during an uncertain year. 

I set some 2021 goals for my business, so I thought I'd share them with you!

Donate to Donors Choose and support some amazing teachers

Connect with fellow creatives - This was difficult to do during 2020 so I'm hoping I get to start networking again this year.

Continue learning - I am a lifelong learner and I am constantly reading, watching videos, attending online workshops, etc. I plan to continue this and explore some new resources. 

Let's connect! I'd love to hear about your celebrations and upcoming goals!

Please keep me in mind for your 2021 photography needs.  I cannot wait to photograph your beautiful faces.

Text or call - 508-269-6434

email - amylimaphotos@gmail.com

Leave a little sparkle everywhere you go!

For each session booked, I will donate $10 to a teacher via Donors Choose.  I will aim to help teachers in Pitt County, NC whenever possible. If not, I will choose a teacher from my hometown area in New England.  As a former teacher, education is close to my heart and extremely important to me. I used Donors Choose myself as a teacher and was able to gain funding for lots of fun projects and necessary materials for my classroom. 

It brings me joy to be able to support education even though I am no longer in the classroom. I know how much it will mean to the teachers and students to receive donations. If you are looking for somewhere to give back, Donors Choose is a wonderful organization. Check it out here. 

I look forward to working together with my clients to give back to teachers and students in the upcoming year! 

The 2020 holiday season is the most important time of all for us to support small on line and local businesses.  

Small Business Saturday started as a campaign launched by American Express on Nov. 27, 2010, to help small businesses gain exposure and to inspire consumers to shop within their own communities during the holiday season. The day became official in 2011 when Washington State mayors, governors, senators and President Obama shared their support for Small Business Saturday. 

I'm excited to share my Small Business Saturday 2020 special with you!  The special will run from Saturday 11/28 through Christmas Eve 12/24.  

SESSION BUNDLE SALE! - Purchase 3 on location photography sessions and receive 50% off.  Normally $600, the session bundle is only $300.  The sessions may be used at any time, there is no expiration date. You may gift them to someone else.

What a great chance to receive a discount on photo sessions for you and your family or to give as a gift!

Payment accepted: cash, credit card, Venmo  

Contact me to purchase: amylimaphotos@gmail.com or call/text 508-269-6434

Happy Holidays and Cheers to 2021!

Some of your 2020 and 2021 events may be small and intimate, but you still want to capture your special moments. I'm available for small events, weddings, and parties. (Following safety guidelines of course) I enjoy seeing all the unique ways that people are celebrating these days, and I'd love to be the one to provide memories for you. 

Contact me for more information and pricing.

amylimaphotos@gmail.com 

call or text 508-269-6434

The Painted Peacock - Paint your own pottery studio. Create your own holiday decor or gifts or shop their retail line.

Salt Beauty & Wellness - Best spa in Greenville. Treat yourself to some holiday pampering, shop their gift area, or purchase gift cards.

Everley - Shop green, toxin free beauty, fashion, and home products. I'm loving the holiday gift boxes!

Flower & Folk - The best smelling handmade candles, soaps, and accessories. 

Trades of Hope - Jewelry and accessories that make great gifts or dress up your holiday look.

Loop by Loop Studios - Rug hooking kits and gifts available. I love the Christmas ornaments! 

Local Oak Brewing Co - Stop in for a post shopping beer or purchase gifts. They have beer to go, gift cards, and apparel.

Peachie Dolls Clothing - On line consignment shop. It's a great spot to pick some holiday wear for your little ones.

Simple & Sentimental - Customized gifts, make it personal this year!

Longest Time Design - Personalized stationery - perfect for a gift, yourself, or your 2021 wedding.

Jennifer Lima Photography - New England peeps - get your holiday and family photos done here!

Ocean State Pepper Co - Spices, rubs, and sauces all locally sourced. I can't live without them! Great addition to your pantry and of course makes a great gift. 

Amy Lima Photos - Of course you can shop with yours truly! Book your 2020 photo session today. I also have prints and gift certificates available. 

Firefly Wine - My favorite spot to find unique wines! Shop for gifts or your hosting needs. The staff is super helpful.

Crunchi - Clean beauty skincare and make-up. I love this stuff! Ryann is very helpful if you need help or suggestions.

Happy Holidays! Share your favorite small business with me! And stay tuned for my Black Friday and Small Business Saturday specials. 

Mailbox Minis

November 21, 22, 28 & 29

Winterville, NC

3-4 edited images - sent to you via email or dropbox within 3 days of your session

15 minute session

Siblings and pets welcome

$40

These will fill up fast! The first 3 people to book will receive a free photo Christmas ornament. 

Contact me to book yours! amylimaphotos@gmail.com     508-269-6434

Now booking holiday full or mini sessions, call or email me.

508-269-6434     amylimaphotos@gmail.com

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to stay updated on upcoming events.

Holiday Card Ideas

• Christmas tree lot 
• Everyone dressed in flannels
• Staged activity such as baking cookies, decorating the tree, opening gifts
• Cityscape
• Brick walls
• Reading Christmas books
• Include your pets
• Everyone wearing cozy sweaters
• Out for a walk
• Everyone dressed in black with silver or gold accents
• Show off your new engagement or wedding ring
• Drinking coffee or cocoa from holiday mugs
• Chalkboard or letter board signs
• Baby announcement
• Kids wearing matching holiday outfits or pajamas

1. Memories - Although 2020 may not have turned out the way you had hoped, it's no reason not to document this time for your family.
2. The lighting!!! - It's absolutely gorgeous and perfect during this time of year.
3. Holiday shopping - There are SO many items you can create using your family's or child's photos. From a simple framed print to coffee mugs to phone cases. (psssst....grandparents love this stuff!)
4. The weather - Finally!! It's not super hot and humid out and everyone will look amazing for your outdoor session.
5. Location - Your choice! Not sure where to go? I have a list of ideas!
6. Get dressed up! - I don't know about you, but I spent quarantine in my sweats and the summer in my swim suit. Cool air and photos is the best excuse for you and your family to get dolled up!

I have weekday and weekend availability in October and November. Contact me to book yours!

508-269-6434

amylimaphotos@gmail.com

Mention this blog post and book before Nov. 1, 2020 and you'll receive a free 8x10 print.

One thing I always did as a teacher was to write a "New School Year Resolution List". Kind of like setting goals in January, September is the perfect time to set goals for yourself. Although things are not the way we expected or wanted them to be right now, it is important to focus on the positive and take the opportunity to set some goals for yourself. Even though I am no longer teaching, I still keep up the tradition of writing down goals every September 1st.  

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's back to school photos!  Happy New School Year!

Seven years ago after gaining too much weight in a short period of time, I realized my diet needed a serious overhaul. With the assistance of my sister in law, my husband and I both started following a Paleo diet. We saw amazing results, along with many non-scale victories. Over the years we adopted a clean eating lifestyle and have done several Whole30s - 30 days of new, healthy habits.  Of course we don't eat clean 100% of the time, it's all about balance. But I do think our overall health, both physical and mental, has benefited from making changes in our eating habits and what we are putting into and onto our bodies. 

Last Fall, inspired by a friend, I decided that since I've cleaned up my diet and educated myself about clean eating, it was time to look into cleaning up my health and beauty routine.  I started off using Crunchi facial soap and moisturizers. After I fell in love with those products, I decided to gradually work on trying out new clean, toxin free products and free myself of harmful chemicals. I experimented with different make up, lotions, sunscreens, deodorants, shampoo, and more. It's been fun educating myself and trying out new products. Shop Crunchi here

Recently, another friend excitedly told me all about her new business venture. She shared her on line shop with me, Everley. They sell clean, green, toxin free health/beauty/fashion items, while giving back to the community. 

When I first started transitioning to toxin free products, it was very confusing. There is so much on the market, how would I know which ones would be best and which ones actually work? The best thing about Everley, is that all the products are researched and tried out for you. Everley showcases products that are used and loved by the founder and her employees and friends. All the guesswork is taken out!   Products are purchased from companies who give back in some way, so when you purchase from Everley you are helping support some wonderful causes. 

Visit Everley here!

Father's Day was first celebrated on June 18, 1910 in the state of Washington. Father's Day was founded at the YMCA by Sonora Smart Dodd.  Her father was a Civil War veteran and a single parent who raised six children. The day honoring fathers became an official holiday in 1972 when Woodrow Wilson was President. 

father (n) - 1. a person who gives endless love and encouragement

                  2. also someone who gives good advice, kills spiders, and is good at bad jokes

How will you celebrate Father's Day with your dad or children's dad this year? My dad is up in Massachusetts and we won't be together. We will send gifts and plan a family video chat. I hope he gets to spend the day golfing his heart out!

Just like birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, and weddings, Mother's Day will be celebrated in creative ways this year. I know so many amazing moms in my life and I hope they all get to celebrate and feel special on May 10, 2020.  I had a trip planned to visit my family at the beginning of April and we had to postpone it. I am missing my mom more than ever right now! We will most likely celebrate our moms with family video chats and mailed gifts this year. I am grateful for this technology and I'm happy that I've been able to stay in touch with family and friends. While I am missing all the special people in my life, I am counting my blessings and I have so much to be thankful for in my life right now. 

Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful moms out there. Let me know how your Mother's Day 2020 went. I would love to hear your stories!

Be well. Be safe. Be kind. 

Summer - the beach of course!

Fall - city and downtown areas

Winter - Christmas tree farms/stands

Spring - arboretums and gardens

BeachOuter Banks

Outer Banks, NC

Greenville, NC

Greenville, NC

Raleigh, NC

This is not permanent. It will end. We will get back to our everyday lives. When we do, I'll be here. Ready to create memories for you. 

Seniors - it's never  too late to have those photos taken to document this important milestone in your life. Reach out if you'd like to set something up once we are able to be out and about again. 

Stay safe friends. 

amylimaphotos@gmail.com  

Call or text (508)269-6434

• Outdoor lighting is pretty and natural
• There are many beautiful locations around Eastern North Carolina
• I love the variety I get when visiting different spots and homes
• Families, especially children, are very comfortable in their own homes or outdoors in a fun setting
• Children love running around and playing outside so I can get more natural, candid shots
• I enjoy deciding with clients where to shoot our session. I have my go-to list of ideas and I love it when people introduce me to new locations. 
• I can still decorate and use props 
• Outdoor backgrounds are timeless

Location Ideas:

• the beach
• a park
• arboretum
• downtown area
• In your home, backyard, front door, porch
• barn
• farm
• tree farm
• nursery

Look for a future post with some of my favorite Eastern NC spots!  Share your favorite photo shoot settings with me!

Now booking sessions for Spring 2020! Contact me today! (508) 269-6434 or amylimaphotos@gmail.com

Of course as a child, it meant crafts at school, choosing and filling out those little cards to give to classmates and teachers, and lots of conversation hearts.  

Throughout our childhood my parents always had candy and a little gift waiting for us when we woke up on Valentine's Day. One year they came out with SweetTart Hearts and I became obsessed! I'm pretty sure my mom bought them for me straight through college. 

When I was in college, my cousin Paige was born on Valentine's Day, so then it became a day to attend her birthday party!

As I got older I kind of lost interest in the "holiday" and it became either a reminder of being single, a high pressure situation if you weren't, and then I started to feel like it was overdone and over commercialized. What used to be a simple, fun day to show others you care turned into a Pinterest contest.

When I was teaching 4th grade I enjoyed bringing in cards and treats for my students and doing some of the same crafts I did as a child. (think doilies!!) They would pass out cards to each other and we'd watch "Be My Valentine Charlie Brown". One year I decided to make crayon hearts for my class. Of course I saw the project on Pinterest. The idea was to take old crayons, melt them down, pour them into silicone heart pans, then chill them and they will harden into crayons. Well, let's just say our house smelled for days, it took WAY longer than I thought, and I ended up relocating the project to my parents' house so my mom could help me finish it. The kids loved them and they came out pretty cool looking. But I did get a lesson in my crafting skills.  Never again, haha!

I still record and watch "Be My Valentine Charlie Brown".  And I enjoy celebrating with the little ones in my life. I take the boys I nanny for out for a treat. I always send a Valentine gift to my niece in MA. However, my husband and I don't buy each other anything. We'd rather spend the money on doing something fun and spending time together. 

This year I will attend a Galentine's Day event on February 13th. I am going to a flower arranging class with some friends and fellow local creatives. I'm looking forward to trying something different!

So, how about you? How will you spend February 14, 2020?  How do you feel about Valentine's Day? I'd love to hear your thoughts, memories, or celebrations! 

Cell phone photo of the crayon hearts!

Looking back on 2019, I'm grateful for all the TIME I spent doing things that are important to me. (in no particular order!)

~ Vacations and getaways exploring places with my husband, family, and/or friends

~ Trips back to Massachusetts to visit family and friends

~ Spending time with visitors we enjoy hosting here in North Carolina

~ Quality time with my husband 

~ Working out - Boot camp, walking, 5Ks, golfing, bike riding

~ Socializing with friends new and old. 4 years later, I still enjoy meeting people in our new home

~ Volunteering and giving back to the community

~ Networking and collaborating with fellow creatives

~ Earning money doing things I truly enjoy

~  And I could go on! 

In 2020 I want to spend even more of my time doing all the things I love and less of my time doing the things I don't.

Cheers! Happy New Year!

Wherever you are, be all there  - TS Eliot

Happiness, not in another place, but this place... Not for another hour, but this hour. - Walt Whitman

Recently, as I reviewed the calendar for the remainder of 2019, I started to freak out a little. I got down on myself for not reaching some of the goals I had set in January. Then I realized that I need to snap myself out of that mindframe, and quickly! If I don't accomplish a goal by December 31, 2019 does that mean it will never happen? Of course not! It just means I need to reflect on my progress so far, reassess, make some tweaks, and continue to go after that end result. I am not going to give up, I will continue to work toward those objectives for the rest of this wonderful year. This can be a busy time for people and the simple thing to do would be to just toss that focus aside and regroup in January. But don't give up! We have 31 days to continue to work on ourselves.

It's time to start thinking about what my resolutions and purpose of 2020 will be. Stay tuned for what I am aiming for in the upcoming year.

Share some of your goals, strategies, and wishes with me!

{"DeviceAngle":-0.014087566174566746}

 2019 was my 4th year volunteering for the event. From decorations to rounding up donations, we plan and prepare for Bunco all year long. The community support we receive each year is amazing. We get the most generous sponsorships and raffle items donated by local businesses and families. The event would not be possible without the kindness of others. The third Thursday in October  is something I know many of our community members and survivors look forward to every year.  Everyone had a blast this year, hope you can join in on the fun next year!

It's the most perfect time of the year to schedule your family photos.  Whether you need holiday cards, holiday gifts, updated photos, or it's a special occasion, I've got you covered! I still have some dates and times available in November, contact me to book. I also have gift certificates available. 

(508) 269-6434 or amylimaphotos@gmail.com

One of my favorite crops to watch is cotton. The plants are so pretty! The harvesting process is pretty neat too and I get such an urge to jump out of my car to touch the big rolls of cotton!  This year there is a cotton field right at the end of the road to my neighborhood. Every time I drove in or out, I kept thinking to myself "I need to photograph that."  I wanted to wait until they had popped open a little. One day my friend asked me if I had any pictures of the cotton fields. I told her I had been wanting to take some! She inspired me to wait for some pretty lighting right before sunset, grab my camera, and walk down to the field. While I was shooting I was being attacked by about a billion gnats, which was very distracting while I tried to figure out angles and settings! Haha! But I appreciate the motivation to get out there and I'm pretty happy with the way they came out. I hope you enjoy them too!

The LAYERS Fashion Show was on August 31 at Burning Coal Theater in Raleigh.  No detail was missed. The lobby looked gorgeous! There was a flower wall that made a wonderful smelling, pretty entrance and then at the end of the night guests could pluck flowers from the wall to take with them. The event was catered with adorable snacks and desserts, along with a signature cocktail and champagne. Local vendors were invited to share, display, and sell their goods.  Every seat had a little token of appreciation on it and the VIP seats had a fantastic swag bag filled with local goodies.  MC Matt White is a hilarious comedian and he did a great job engaging and entertaining the audience, as well as announcing the designers and models. Everything was perfect! 

Vendors:

Aimee Cuthrell Fine Art

Layers of Dignity

Carroll’s Kitchen

Noonday Collective

Style and Shine

Florist:

Flowers on Broad Street

Food and Champagne:

Sponsored by Highgrove Estates

I started off the day behind the scenes taking photos of hair and make-up being done. I was able to watch and photograph some fabulous hair and make-up artists!

Make-up: Ryann Owens of Bridal and Braids

Hair: Ravon's Talents 

        Adina from Metro Mane

Everyone enjoyed watching the models, checking out the outfits, and meeting the designers. You could feel the love in the room as Katie explained her story about honoring a friend and how she chose Layers of Dignity as the beneficiary of the event.  Katie was able to pair her passion for fashion and art along with her want for giving back to a cause that means so much to her. 

Designers: 

Sew Fancy

Kitty and Rhodes

Aliyah Designs

RIP Designs

Sade Sews

Boutiques:

Scout and Molly’s 

Cousin Couture

My niece Mackenzie had her first beach day ever at Scusset! My mom was babysitting her and we decided to head down for the day. She was less than a year old. She really loved watching the people and we brought her in the water. About a year later, we went with her again and my dad joined us this time. Typically there is plenty of parking, however this time when we arrived the parking lot was full. We did not want to turn around and make the drive back home, especially with a toddler in the car. Nearby we found a nice shady spot overlooking the Cape Cod Canal. We decided to eat our lunch there and then check back later to see if we could get parking. It worked out perfectly. We ate lunch, Mackenzie loved watching the boats go by, and there was a great breeze. After a while we packed our stuff up into the car and headed back to the beach where there was now parking available. Mackenzie had a blast, she must take after her aunt. She loved playing in the sand, people watching, and swimming in the water. We could barely get her out of the water to take breaks.

I've enjoyed days at Scusset with my mom, aunt Alison, and cousin Paige too. We like to sit where it's not too crowded. My aunt always cracks me up when she sets up multiple blankets and towels around our chairs so our space isn't invaded. We talk, go for walks, and go swimming. Scusset is a the perfect beach for swimming.

Scusset is also one of my favorite beaches to photograph. I've taken some really great photos at Scusset Beach and they have now become some of my bestsellers. I love that I am able to share my love of the beach and photography with others. It is a wonderful feeling to know that people decorate their homes with my photos. The first time I ever went there, I brought my camera with me and was so glad I did. Before I even got onto the beach, I saw multiple sights to capture. Outside of the snack bar they have picnic tables and in the center of each one was a beach bucket serving as a flowerpot full of planted summer flowers. To this day this print still remains one of the most popular. I just love the bright colors up against the earthy tones of the beach grass and sand. Another popular print and also a favorite of mine, is of the walkway leading onto the beach. I actually have two different versions of this photograph, the new walkway and the old walkway. I took pictures of the original walkway the first day I visited. It was a hit with everyone and I loved it as well. A couple of years later we arrived for our first visit of the season to find that they had redone the walkway. So of course on my next trip down there, I had to take my camera with me and get photos of the new scene. I also enjoy photographing the water at Scusset beach. The surf is typically very calm, but I have been there on days when there were big waves and the water was rough. I also find that the tide changes the scene dramatically. Because things vary so much it gives me so much opportunity to capture all different kinds of shots of the same place. I can get high tide, low tide, sandbars, rough surf, high waves, different colors, and the overall feel of the surf is just never quite the same each time. You're never sure what to expect, but one thing that remains is that it is always beautiful. The landscaping there is also very pretty. I find a variety of different hues of blues, greens, tans, and browns in the pictures I take there. It can really create some pretty contrast. Scusset will always be my favorite Cape Cod beach. I am hoping I can visit there again soon, of course with my camera in tow.

People often ask me what I do all day long at the beach. First of all, I need to have a good beach read with me at all times. I read many books all summer long. I also enjoy reading magazines. Usually Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, or some sort of cooking magazine. I love going for walks on the beach. It's a great way to fit in some extra exercise. Horseneck is pretty long so it's a perfect place to walk. I could either go to the right and walk over to the next 2 beaches, a private beach and a town beach. Or I could walk to the left and there's a camping area and lots of pretty rocks. I like looking for rocks and especially sea glass. I use the rocks and glass to decorate my home. I have collected sea glass, along with my mom, for years. It fascinates me that every piece has a story behind it and the colors and textures are beautiful. One day I went for a walk with my mom and my cousin Paige. We were looking for sea glass all along the way. We walked down to the camping area and didn't find any. On the way back my mom spotted the most beautiful blue piece of sea glass. Paige and I had walked right past it and did not even see it. It was huge, the biggest piece I've ever seen. I was so happy for my mom that she had discovered this gem. I actually ended up borrowing and taking it back to Horseneck one day for a “photo shoot”. It was just so pretty and I knew it would photograph well. I have a print of it framed in my bedroom. My mom has a print as well, and of course she still has the gorgeous blue piece of sea glass.

Beach chat is also a big part of the day. It's great to catch up and talk about everything and anything. Some of my favorite conversations ever have taken place on the beach. Some the funniest and some of the most serious. There's just something about the beach that makes it the perfect place to talk. Along with these chats, we also lunch and snack.

Chair #11 was the meetup spot during these days. I have photographed many of the lifeguard chairs here. I have a large one of chair #11 framed in my home. There's just something about a lifeguard chair that I love. I have one black and white photo of the chairs all stacked up to be stored for the winter after the season ended. I also have some taken during the prettiest of beach days. And I have taken some during sunset. These are some of my most popular prints, as well as my favorites.

I love going to beach at night. Sometimes my mom and I and sometimes some other family members would spend the day at the beach and then the rest of the family would meet us there at dinner time. We would play corn hole, go for walks, take pictures, and relax & chat. Everyone would bring dishes to share. Sometimes we would have a theme, like Italian or all types of salads. Of course beer and wine go very well with dinner on the beach. I have taken some great sunset and other beach shots during these family dinners.

I recall one day we planned a girls' night at Horseneck. My mom and I spent the day there and then my aunts, cousins, and grandmother met us there. My grandmother was in her late 80s at the time and I am still so impressed that she was able to join us. She walked from the car through the sand to our spot near chair #11. It gets breezy in the evening on the shore and she would get cold easily anyway, so she'd be all bundled up in the middle of July, but who cares? She was there to spend time with her family and we loved having her there.

Those evenings always flew by. It felt like as soon as we carried everything from the car and set it all up it was time to pack it in and trek back to the car. But it was worth it, we had a blast.

Throughout my life I always played sports, gone to the gym, exercised, and ate healthy. As I got a little older I found it a little tougher to stay in shape and I was splurging a little too often. I was going to the gym at the time, but felt that I really needed a boost. I found Doug Bramwell and he changed my life. Doug is a personal trainer and nutritionist. He set me up with an eating plan and weekly check ins and also got me to sign up for boot camp on the beach at Horseneck. The classes were at 6:00 a.m. The first time I went I was so nervous. What am I doing? I hate getting up early. I won't be able to keep up with everyone. Yikes!! Well, I loved it. Everyone was so nice, Doug is funny and motivating and kept our workouts interesting. The beach I had spent so much time relaxing and lounging around on was now my “gym”. We went running on the beach, did tons of crazy circuit exercises, had races, and most memorable, ran in the dunes. Those dunes were so extremely hard but I was so proud of myself every time I conquered them. The first day of boot camp I couldn't run from one telephone pole to another. By the fall I was running up to 8 miles. I even wore my bathing suit under my gym clothes some days and went into the water to swim and cool off after our sessions were over. I shed the pounds and had a blast doing it. I am truly grateful for those super early mornings spent at one of my favorite places while accomplishing my fitness goals. 

I've mentioned many photos I have taken at Horseneck, but one in particular is very special to me. I love taking pictures of walkways leading into beaches. First, because they are beautiful. But secondly because of what they represent. It's the anticipation of a beach day ahead. It's not knowing what you'll see once you get up and over the dunes. High tide or low tide? Depending on the time of day and the tide, what colors will the water be? Are the waves big or small today? Is it crowded? I had not been on Facebook very long, it was still pretty new to me and my friends, when I decided to post some of my Horseneck Beach photos. I posted a black and white one I had taken of the walkway leading in. Many people loved it and one of my dear friends asked me if she could have a copy of it to frame and hang in her bathroom. Of course I said yes! And this got me thinking, hey I could really do this. With some help from my artsy, talented brother and his wife, I set up an Etsy shop selling my landscape prints and then created my first website. One thing led to another and my little business was born! I started selling prints at fairs and shows. Then I began taking pictures of family and friends, which led to more family portrait sessions. That walkway print will always be special to my heart and I take nothing for granted as I continue to grow and build my little business.

I have moved to North Carolina and my summers are no longer spent on Horseneck Beach, but I treasure the fond memories I have, enjoy looking at the numerous photos I have taken there, and it will always be a place to visit when I'm up in Massachusetts.

Westport, MA is a seaside town in Southeastern Massachusetts. Horseneck Beach is a state owned beach located on the Atlantic Ocean. My beach memories of days and evenings spent here are endless.

As a child I spent memorable fun beach days with my family here. We didn't venture here too often when I was young, but when we did I loved it. Most of those days were spent with my immediate family, mom, dad, and two brothers. Some days were spent with cousins, aunts, and my uncle. The surf is typically pretty rough here, so we needed parental supervision. We would swim and play in the sand for hours on end. Our moms would usually pack sandwiches and tons of snacks. No beach day is complete unless you snack your way through the day. Just be mindful of the pesky seagulls. They are quite bold and have been known to grab food right out of our hands. Some days our parents would bring cookout food and we would stay for dinner and cook on the grill. We would pack sweatshirts and stay for the evening eating and enjoying the sunset. I would be quite wiped out after a beach day like this. There is nothing like the beachy feel at the end of a long day. Warm skin, salty skin and hair, the scent of sunscreen, and the lazy, relaxed feeling. When we got home we would get into the shower with our bathing suits on to rinse off. Then we'd peel off our suits and about half my weight in sand and seaweed would spill out. After a nice cool shower, time for bed. The chilly sheets against my warm skin was soothing. The best nights of sleep were after a long day spent on the beach in the sun and surf. They still are.

Once I got older I stopped going to Horseneck with my family and started to go with my friends instead. All summer long we went as much as humanly possible. Every day off was spent here with various groups of friends and man, it was serious business. We would take turns driving and paying for the entry fee and gas. Packing up took much longer than the days of going to the neighborhood beach with Gramp. I would pack my cooler of lunch and waters. My beach bag contained tanning oil, SPF 2 or 4, beach towel, sheet, and a radio or walkman. We had our “spot” on the beach. We sat there every single time, next to lifeguard chair #7 and this way other friends could meet up with us or know where we were. Our day pretty much went like this: Set up, spray body with oil, tan face up, go for a walk, tan face down, go for a walk, repeat. In between that we'd eat and talk to friends. Going for a walk was a big part of the beach day with friends. At Horseneck there is a tar boardwalk along the top of the beach. We'd walk along here to go to the bathroom or snack bar. Overall, I ate pretty healthy, but I couldn't resist getting fries or clam cakes from the snack bar once in a while. It was also a social walk. As we walked, we saw lots of people we knew. We'd stop, chat, talk about where we were sitting so we could meet up, and of course discuss any night time plans we all had. We didn't do too much swimming in those days. Most of the day was spent tanning and chatting. Occasionally we'd go in if the water was really clear and warm. Sometimes we'd just put our feet in to cool off. Our beach day usually ended when one or all of us had to head to sports practice (field hockey for me). We'd show up to sessions sandy, sticky, and tan. Sometimes I wish I could send some SPF 30 back to my 1990's self, but oh well.

During college my beach days at Horseneck were pretty similar to high school. Some notable changes were that my friend circle grew smaller and my SPF increased a little, SPF 8. After about 6-8 hours on the beach, we'd head home. We all went to our own houses to take a nap and get ready for a night out. I would again have that post-beach feel that I loved oh so much. I'd go in my room and put a blanket over my bed or on the floor so I wouldn't get my room sandy. I would blast the AC and watch Oprah or some other day time show and take a nap. After my nap I'd shower the beach day off and get ready for a night out, usually with the same friends I went to the beach with. We'd talk on the phone and plan out who was driving, where we were going, and what to wear. Of course we had to choose outfits that best complimented our tans. Most nights we went to Providence to go dancing. Perfect day with friends: beach all day and dance all night.

After college there was a little break from Horseneck as I spent many summers in Rhode Island. But of course when I moved back to Massachusetts, Horseneck became one of my beaches of choice again. I have countless memories of days and evenings spent on Horseneck with family or friends. I started teaching elementary school and had the summers off and spent several days per week on the beach. I also spent lots of early, early mornings at Horseneck attending beach boot camp. As a photographer, many photos were taken here as well. It has changed a lot, but it will hold a special place in my heart and mind. 

Bottom of Wyola Road

Swansea, MA is a little riverside town in southeastern Massachusetts. I grew up in Berkley, MA. Berkley is a small town about 15 miles north of Swansea. During the summers I spent a lot of time in Swansea at my grandparents' yellow Cape style house along with my mom, my two younger brothers, six cousins, and aunts and uncles. Several times a week my brothers and I would fight over seats in the car then pile in to head to my grandparents' house. “Do you want to take the high road or the low road?” my mom would ask us. We would choose the highway or back roads, and we were off. Early in the morning we'd arrive at the little yellow house and run inside to say hi then out to the backyard to play. Most of the time it was a game of whiffle ball, football, or kickball. The boy cousins tried to not allow us girls to play but we muscled our way in every time. I can walk into that tree filled yard with the pine needle carpet and tell you where each base and home plate was located. I can feel the sap I'd always get on my fingers or legs. It was my home away from home.

There was a little private beach at the bottom of their road, which we loved. During our visits, inevitably one of us would end up asking Gramp to take us down to the beach. My grandfather would take all 9 of us together by himself and we drove him crazy but he loved it.  This was usually after a fight ensued or someone was cheating at the game or got hurt. And sure enough he never said no. It'd take a few minutes for us all to change into our bathing suits and get our towels and we'd meet out on the front lawn. Back then it was no muss no fuss, all you did was throw on your bathing suit and grab a towel. It didn't even matter what kind of towel, bath towel, beach towel...who cares? And 99% of the time we were barefoot, no flip flops or sandals needed. Quite a difference from the beach bag I pack these days! Once we were all out front we'd all start walking, some of us running. Wyola Road is a hill and there is a Stop sign and an intersection at the bottom. My grandfather would try to keep up, shouting “Stop at the Stop sign!” Like we didn't know this, he yelled it ten times every time we went.

Once we all gathered at the infamous Stop sign, we'd trek across the road together and down a dirt road to the beach. It was a small neighborhood beach but to me it seemed like the best place on earth. The water was pretty calm and flat most of the time. In the distance were tiny houses and you could see the city of Fall River across the way. We'd all run across the hot sand and into the water. We'd swim, dig, and play together. My grandfather would have 25 heart attacks as he tried to keep track of all 9 of us and make sure we weren't swimming out too far. He loved swimming and would come in the water with us. He taught us how to dig for perriwinkles, crabs, and clams in the sand. We'd fill buckets of them and sometimes bring them home with us. Why we needed to take them home is still a mystery to me. I just know in my heart he loved every minute of these beach days.

Once we tired out or he got tired of watching us all, not sure which, we'd collect our towels and head back up to the house. We were starving by now and sometimes we would stop at Harry's, the seafood shack, on our way back up the hill. The smell of fresh, fried New England seafood is one of the best scents in the world. We'd get some fish and chips and clamcakes and one of us usually talked him into letting us get cans of soda. We'd climb the hill home and we'd all share the food with our moms and grandmother. Other times when we got back our moms or grandmother would have lunch waiting for us, sandwiches or english muffin pizzas. Back to games in the backyard or on to hide and seek or something of the sort. Many times we end up staying for dinner too. After dinner we'd get ready to head out and my grandmother would always say “You're leaving already?” We would pile back into the car and my grandfather would make a big fuss about telling us to get going and not come back. He'd push the car and say “Get out of here!” and we would crack up every time. We could spend ten-twelve hours at the house and it was never enough for them, that's love.

Swansea is also where I learned how to swim. About a 3 minute drive from my grandparents' house is Swansea Town Beach or as it was known “The Bluffs”. I loved the neighborhood beach most, but I also enjoyed going there. The way the land bends, you can actually see the neighborhood beach from the town beach. It was a bigger beach, but pretty much the same shoreline and same water. The moms and aunts usually accompanied us on these trips and occasionally our uncle.

We took swim lessons here. I first heard the word dog paddle at these lessons. Our moms would sit and chat on the beach and we'd hop in the water while the lifeguards divvied us up into groups. I recall being one of the Devil Dogs, I loved my group's name! After the lesson we'd eat lunch on the beach. Sandy sandwiches and chips for all. We'd then spend the afternoon playing in the sand, collecting rocks and shells, and swimming. Oh and of course eavesdropping on our moms' conversations. No beach day is complete without beach chat. At the end of the day we'd pack our sandy selves along with our beach treasures into the car and head back to the little yellow house.

Both of my grandparents have passed away and my brother and his wife now live in that little yellow Cape, however it is no longer yellow. I am fond of the memories I have in that home and treasure all the happy times we had there. The neighborhood beach became overgrown and is no longer taken care of. My brother recently heard of a possibility of a revival of the beach. I truly hope so and this way my brother and his wife can create new memories there. I occasionally visit Swansea Town Beach and a few years ago I went there with my Canon to capture a couple of shots. Thank you Swansea and my family for my first of many beach memories.

This little family has gone through a lot to get where they are today and I am beyond happy for them! I took their Christmas photos, which they used to announce their pregnancy with the ultrasound picture in the photos. We recently did their maternity session in the park. AND I cannot wait to do their newborn session in their home once the little guy arrives!

I just love sharing these special times with families, I truly am lucky to do what I do. 

We met at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, NC for a fashion shoot. If you're in the area you must visit! It's absolutely beautiful. There is such a variety of gardens, flowers, and trees. It was really like visiting 8 different places. Each area is so unique.  

Fashion Stoppe is hosting a charity fashion show in Raleigh this summer and I'm lucky enough to help out on this journey along with her and many other artists.  Save the Date and come check it out!

LAYERS

First Annual Fashion Show by Fashion Stoppe 

8-31-19

Benefitting Layers of Dignity 

Burning Coal Theater Company 

Raleigh, NC

Models:

Fashion Stoppe (Katie) https://www.instagram.com/fashionstoppe/

Bridal and Braids (Ryann) https://www.instagram.com/bridalandbraids/

Alicia https://www.instagram.com/neptunovah/

Artwork:

Aimee https://www.instagram.com/aimeecuthrell/

Photography:

Amy Lima Photos https://www.instagram.com/amylimaphotos/

Duelux Photography https://www.instagram.com/dueluxphotography/

Hair & Make-up: 

Bridal & Braids https://www.instagram.com/bridalandbraids/

Although many people say Mother's Day has become too commercialized, it's neat to take a look at the origin of the holiday. It was first proposed by poet Julia Ward Howe after the Civil War. Her idea was to recognize peace and protest war, while supporting mourning mothers. She organized events in Boston to honor mothers.  It didn't really catch on as a holiday. Later, Ann Jarvis, who had no children, campaigned for the holiday. She worked hard to provide resources for poor mothers. It became a holiday declared by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914.  It is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. 

Enjoy some of the beautiful photos I've captured of moms over the last year. Including a selfie of me and my wonderful, caring, amazing, strong, fun Mom. 

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and moms-to-be out there! You all rock! And especially to my own mom, family, and friends who are moms....I love you!

I look forward to photographing more ECU students. Contact me to set up your session:

amylimaphotos@gmail.com

(508) 269-6434

Inspired by my parents and grandparents, I have always had a passion for giving back to my community. I am so fortunate that I'm able to use my photography to do good deeds. Whether it's donating my time to take photos or contributing proceeds from my sessions, it's always an honor. 

I'm a member of the Greenville Women's League and I get to participate in a variety of wonderful events all year long. Last week we hosted a 5K benefitting juvenile diabetes research. One of the best things about this event is that run clubs from our local elementary schools participate. It's a lot of fun to see schools, students, parents, families, and local runners come together as a community to support an important cause. An amazing 14 year old patient who was recently diagnosed with diabetes presented an inspiring speech sharing his story with everyone. It was a beautiful morning filled with music, photos, food, and running. The race consisted of a 5K run and a 1 mile fun run/walk. I was so proud of everyone!

Follow us on Instagram!

Model: Katie Hammond https://www.instagram.com/fashionstoppe/

Hair & Make-up: Ryann Owens  https://www.instagram.com/bridalandbraids/

Photography: Yours Truly https://www.instagram.com/amylimaphotos/

Now booking for Spring 2019

• Update family photos
• Create gifts for Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, or any upcoming occasion
• Take advantage of the beautiful scenery and lighting at this time of year
• Freshen up your decor for 2019 with some new artwork for your home

amylimaphotos@gmail.com  (508) 269 6434  Email, text, or call for more information and to book your session.

• If you aren't healthy, both mentally and physically, you can't fully be there for your loved ones - children, spouse, extended family, friends, colleagues, pets..  I'm sure you've heard the expression "You can't pour from an empty glass."  
• Having a healthy body and mind helps you stay focused on your goals
• It gives you energy to accomplish your tasks for the day
• You will have more confidence 
• Your overall happiness depends on it

I practice self care and sometimes it's in a small way and sometimes it's in a big way.

• Getaways with my husband
• Working out at Fit Body Boot Camp as many days as possible per week
• Clean eating
• Going for a massage or pedicure
• Reading at night before I go to sleep
• Wine nights with my husband and our friends
• Girls' nights out

What have you done for YOU lately? If the answer is nothing, let's change that. Choose one small thing to do for yourself this week.  

I'd love to hear what you routinely do to take care of you!

This year, while I have many goals and ambitions, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my accomplishments and successes of 2018. It was an exciting year, both personally and professionally. 

Some reasons to celebrate:

• Vacations with my husband
• Strengthening and growth of friendships
• Collaborating with some awesome fellow creatives
• New family photography clients
• Mini session event with my local elementary school
• Photographed some local businesses for their websites
• Visitors who came to see us in NC
• Boot camp, races, eating clean
• Working on new business ideas and ventures with creative peers
• Learning about photography through practice, webinars, podcasts, articles.....and on and on!
• Photographed out in the community, including a 5K and a military homecoming
• The opportunity to add to my landscape portfolio taking photographs on vacation and in new places
• Met lots of wonderful people
• Photographing newborns at the hospital

Now it's time to get all my little birdies in a row and look forward to all that 2019 has to offer! It's off to a pretty great start!

https://www.facebook.com/amylimaphotos/
 

https://www.instagram.com/amylimaphotos/
 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/amylimaphotos
 

It is a tradition in my family to do the food prep the Wednesday before Thanksgiving day. I LOVE this day.  I always had the day off from school as a student and as a teacher and over the last few years I've been lucky enough to carry on the tradition. This has taken place at a few different places. For years, as long as I can remember, my parents hosted Thanksgiving. So helping them with preparations was something we always did and my extended family would come over and join in, we made a whole day and evening out of it.  Later on my aunt and uncle hosted so we just moved the prep party over to their house! And now my husband and I have hosted in our new home in North Carolina for the last few years.  We have carried on the tradition of doing all the preparations together on Wednesday. This year will be our 4th. I am so beyond fortunate that some of my family makes the trip down to celebrate this holiday with us. 

The first must-have is my family's apple pie. We use the recipe from Better Homes & Gardens, no super secret recipe here! But it comes out amazing every year! One year I accidentally peeled way too many apples. My aunt and I said "What the heck?", and threw them all in. Well, now we put too many apples every year! It is piled so high and just comes out beautiful and delicious. Another little twist is that we put a teeny, tiny bit of almond extract in the apple mixture. Just a touch goes a long way to add a little something extra special. 

My second must-have is my Grandmother's Portuguese stuffing. She passed away and her handwritten stuffing recipe is something I treasure.
Over the years she always made it, then my brother took over the task, and now that I've been hosting I make it. I have my Grandmother's recipe and you really have to follow it to a tee. Over the years we have made some minor mistakes, like too much bread, not enough water, and so on. And trust me when I tell you that you can taste the difference! I think I have perfected my version over the last couple of years and I'm totally looking forward to a huge heap of it on my plate this year! 

What MUST be on your Thanksgiving table? I need to know!

We found some perfect spots Uptown Greenville, NC and got to work. Our model is gorgeous and so is the lighting. Stay tuned for some more creative adventures from us and for now, enjoy these super fun photos!

"She's Bright Like Glitter and Bubbly Like Champagne"

Hair & Make-up: Ryann - Bridal & Braids

https://www.facebook.com/bridalandbraids/

Model: Katie - Fashion Stoppe

https://fashionstoppe.com

Wool Flowers for Crowns: Hayley - Loop by Loop Studio

https://www.loopbyloopstudio.com

Photography: Yours Truly - Amy Lima Photos

For our wedding anniversary in September, we always plan a getaway.  This year we decided to head to Asheville, NC for a long weekend. Ever since we moved down to North Carolina everyone has told us how much we would love it there. They were right! We fell in love with Asheville.  We stayed in an awesome apartment downtown and we had so much fun exploring all that Asheville has to offer.  Main highlights included restaurants, breweries, live local music, and taking in the sights. The mountain view from Cappella on 9 was a favorite spot for me.  It's such a cool spot and the sunset was amazing. There is so much to do there that we couldn't fit it all in over 4 days, we will be back for sure! Do you have any favorite spots in Asheville? Let me know!

I love this tradition that my husband and I started. It's so great to take a break from everyday life and spend special time together.  I look forward to many, many more birthday, anniversary, and holiday adventures!

Capella on 9Anniversary Sunset over the Mountains

* You will need gifts for grandparents for the holidays.  A calendar, magnet, or framed print of your baby, children, or family make the BEST gifts!

* Your family portraits need updating. When was the last time you took family photos? Most photographers run specials at this time of year, so it's the perfect time to book a session and get those updated photos you've been meaning to have done. 

* Holiday Cards! We all know how much everyone loves receiving a photo card of your family, children, and/or pets in the mail during the holiday season. Personally, I look forward to seeing everyone's pictures and love getting photo cards in the mail. 

* Photo ornaments make a great keepsake.  An inexpensive home decor item that everyone will enjoy on the tree year after year. They also make great gifts!

* The weather and lighting are amazing. The autumn days are beautiful for taking photos. The cooler air is comfortable for everyone and the lighting is gorgeous. Even if you decide to have your photos taken inside, the natural light coming in at this time of year will give you great results. 

 I have partnered up with W.H. Robinson Elementary School for a photography fundraiser. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the school. I am offering a very special rate for this event. Update your photos and help out with a great cause!

Contact me to book your spot!  508-269-6434 or amylimaphotos@gmail.com

Recently I partnered up with 2 friends for an exciting afternoon on a flower crown adventure.  We used a variety of crowns, make up looks, and outfits to create some great styles. We enjoyed experimenting and had lots of laughs! I felt so inspired after working with these 2 beautiful ladies for the day.  We worked well together and I can't wait to plan some more projects. Stay tuned!  

Enjoy and let us know if you'd like to schedule your own flower crown photo shoot or event! 

Model: Katie of Fashion Stoppe - https://fashionstoppe.com

Hair & Make-up: Bridal and Braids - https://bridalandbraids.wixsite.com/bridalandbraids

Photography: Yours truly, Amy Lima Photos

When looking for a place for this soon-to-be 7 year old to take her birthday photos, both of these outdoor local locations seemed perfect and they did not disappoint. The infectious giggles of this cutie kept me laughing the whole time.  It truly was a joy to watch her explore and interact with nature. We got a nice variety of posed and candid shots.  

Now booking Fall sessions, contact me today. 508-269-6434 or amylimaphotos@gmail.com

Now that I'm no longer teaching and I'm living in North Carolina, I get to enjoy the summer season a little longer. Summer doesn't have such an abrupt ending and the Fall weather down here is amazing. I know I still have lots more fun in store...Hello Fall beach and pool days! 

To me, August used to mean school shopping, classroom preparation, bucket list check offs, and sometimes tears. Now it means there's more outdoor fun ahead, football season is coming, it's time to prepare for photography mini-sessions, and I can enjoy the buzz of back to school happening around me. How about you? What does August mean to you?

PS Don't forget to book your Fall family photography session, it will be here before you know it!

Even though they symbolize late summer, I love sunflowers.  We had them in our backyard growing up. My mom planted them and I recall taking our first day of school pictures in front of sunflowers that were bigger than us.  I also planted a sunflower garden in our backyard. It was more work than I had expected it to be but it was worth it! I started the seedlings inside the house in Dixie cups and when they were strong enough, I transplanted them to a garden outside that I had created. It was work to keep up with watering them, but it was fun. I had planted different colors and types and everyone enjoyed them!

When I was living in Massachusetts, one of my August summer traditions was to buy farm fresh sunflowers. I would stop at a farm stand on my way home from the beach.  I loved decorating our home with them and they would last a long time. I got to enjoy them as summer wound down and I got ready to return to my classroom. 

Since moving to North Carolina, I've enjoyed lots of local produce and flowers at different times of the year. Here, sunflowers bloom in July and visiting one of the local sunflowers fields has been on my list of things to do. Recently, my mom was visiting from Massachusetts and we decided to take a short trip to a nearby farm with sunflower fields. Raised in a Barn Farm is located in Chocowinity, NC. It's a quaint little spot with produce for sale, animals to look at, and enormous sunflower fields. We enjoyed walking around, taking photos, picking sunflowers to take home, and chatting with the owners. If you live in Eastern NC, I definitely recommend checking it out. 

Here are some of my favorite shots from the day. :)

I went to visit my dear friend over Memorial Day weekend and we made plans to take their family photos. When she told me she had the perfect spot picked out, I couldn't wait to see it. It was amazing!  From Zen garden, to flower gardens with adirondack chairs, to a full size playhouse, to the koi pond, the photo ops were endless.   It truly is somewhere you need to see to believe, describing it does it no justice. 

The park is so well tended to. Admission is free. It's a great place for adults, kids, pets.  There is just a calm, peaceful feeling that washes over you when you enter the gardens.  There were people there taking photos, walking dogs, painting, walking around...but it felt like we were the only ones there. 

This strong, beautiful, single Mom had a blast running around (in heels!) with her two adorable kiddos. You can see the happiness and carefree feelings on their faces. I love, love capturing these true, sweet moments during sessions. Of course you have your planned, posed photos but the ones that always come out the BEST are the spontaneous shots. 

 I'm always looking for new places to shoot and this will stay on the list for sure!

You had the option of making the crown out of fresh or artificial flowers, I chose artificial.  I'm not yet sure where I'll wear it again, but I'll find a way! I found it very relaxing to work on the crown and got to go home with a pretty creation. The weather was gorgeous and the lighting was perfect for taking some really great photos. 

Brunch Menu:

Fruit salad, strawberries

Mini quiches

Cinnamon rolls, pastry, mini muffins

The most amazing thumbprint cookies.

Grapefruit mimosas

Sparkling wine

Flower Bar:

Greenery from the backyard

Fresh - daisies and roses

Artificial - variety of mainly pinks, blues, greens, and whites

Hair and Make-up - Bridal and Braids

Calligraphy & Invitation Design - Longest Time Design

Photography - Amy Lima Photos

Menu and Floral Design - Entire Team

Be on the lookout for more flower crown adventures! 

Here's the story. A second grader and his little brother had not seen their mom in a year. She is a nurse in the US Air Force and had been deployed to Afghanistan.  Mom made arrangements with the school, W.H. Robinson in Winterville, NC, and teacher to surprise her adorable little boys during a class Mother's Day celebration.  How perfect to reunite with her children for Mother's Day weekend.  Friday afternoon the second graders hosted a Mother's Day party where the students got up in front of the class and their moms and read a poem about their mothers.  Watching that alone was adorable! Lastly, having no idea what was about to happen, the son of the soldier read his poem and when he finished, Mom walked in the back door of the classroom. The look on his face was absolutely priceless! He was in utter shock, then immediately burst into tears and embraced his mom tightly.  His little brother soon joined him and the three of them held each other and laughed and cried.  The boys kept looking at their Mom like "I cannot believe you're here", followed by lots of smiles and tears.  Of course there was not a dry eye in the room!

Lots of media were present so there was some time for interviews and photos. Then the family proceeded to the hallway where the school had gathered to cheer on Mom and thank her for her service. It was so amazing to see the school community come together in support of this sweet family.  

I have cried taking photos many times...a groom watching his bride walk down the aisle, a mom and her baby, an engagement taking place, parent dances at a wedding...but nothing quite like this. I am grateful for this experience and will hold it in my heart forever. I had a hard time selecting photos to share, but here are some favorites from the day. 

I loved my childhood and grew up with fun, loving parents. My mom is the most selfless, caring, giving, strong, generous, kind, fun, loving person I will ever know. Besides my own mom, I have been surrounded by powerful, loving, kind women throughout my life. This includes grandmothers, aunts, cousins, friends of my mom, teachers, and mother and sisters in law. As an adult I am fortunate to know and spend time with the most amazing ladies. Many of them are moms and I admire what they do every day throughout the year. 

I've been lucky enough to photograph some of the most beautiful women and mothers. Here are some of my favorites.  Of course I had to include a selfie taken with my own beautiful, amazing mom!

“There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.” —Jill Churchill

“I realized when you look at your mother, you are looking at the purest love you will ever know.” —Mitch Albom

Head on over to my Instagram page and take a look! I'd love for you to follow my photography adventures.  https://www.instagram.com/amylimaphotos/

Here are a few of my IG posts:

{"DeviceAngle":-0.014087566174566746}

{"DeviceAngle":-0.016570156440138817}

Growing up, my parents always celebrated St. Patrick's Day with us. We would have a traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner and my mom would put green food coloring in our milk.  I would only eat the corned beef and some raw carrots, but these days I eat the whole dinner. It was a fun celebration in our house.  One year I won “Leprechaun of the Day” at school. I think I was in third grade. I wore green corduroys, a green turtleneck, a green sweater, and green socks. I also had green pom pom hair ties in my pigtails! I remember how excited I was to go home and tell my family! I also couldn't wait to tell my grandfather. My maternal grandfather is mainly Irish and St. Patrick's Day was always such a big deal to him. He would dress from head to toe in his Irish gear and take the grandkids and whoever else he could wrangle up to the local St. Patrick's Day parades. Of course he'd enjoy a corned beef sandwich and beer afterwards.  He was our family leprechaun. This is one of the many fond memories of my grandfather that I hold in my heart.  

Of course college St. Patrick's Day celebrations included dressing in crazy green outfits and drinking green beer. In my twenties my friends and I frequented an Irish bar, St. James Pub. We spent time together there year round, but St. Patrick's Day was always extra fun. We'd wait in line forever to get in, but we knew we'd see all of our friends and have a great time so it was worth it.  After college, I lived in Newport, RI...where St. Patty's is a HUGE deal.  They have an awesome parade and people come in from all over to attend. It was an all day affair. My friends would sleep over the night before and we'd head out by 9 am.  We'd kick it off at O'Brien's pub, then watch the parade, see some of our favorite bands play, and go wherever the day would take us. It's one of those things that you really have to experience to understand what it was like. Such a blast!

Another fun St. Pat's memory I have is the St. Pat's 5K in Providence, RI. I ran it twice with my brother Adam. It was a fun course. Of course it always ended up freezing out on race day, but we always had a blast together.  I love that we were able to run the race together and we would go out and celebrate after.  

When I started dating my husband, I wanted to continue the corned beef dinner tradition, so we'd make corned beef sandwiches. We had a special menu: corned beef on rye with mustard, sauerkraut, and swiss cheese. We had Cape Cod potato chips and a pickle on the side and served it with cold beer. Not your traditional corned beef dinner, but it was a tradition for us.   We always did this a few weeks prior and then we'd have actual corned beef dinner with my family on St. Patrick's Day. Also, one of our good friends hosted a huge St. Patty's party. It was so great to see our friends, catch up with everyone, and spend time together....along with lots of shenanigans. We have some of the best memories of these parties! 

Decorating for St. Patrick's Day is another fun tradition. My mom always decorated at our house growing up. It's a sign that Spring is coming! I usually decorate with tulips, daffodils, and some pops of green. This shamrock is from my grandparents.  It's made out of horseshoes. It was one of my favorite decorations at their house when I was growing up and since my grandmother passed it on to me it has been a special Spring decoration in all my apartments and houses.

Now that we're in NC, I miss the family dinners and time with our friends, but we still celebrate down here. We don't make the sandwiches anymore, but we do have the traditional corned beef dinner every year.  My parents came to visit last week so we had an early corned beef dinner with them. It was fun to continue the tradition with them! I'm looking forward to celebrating with friends this year. The holiday isn't as big of a deal down here in North Carolina as it is up in New England, but it's still a great time!  

Whether you're Irish or not, Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

When I'm out having fun, at some point I usually snap a few photos or selfies then put my phone away and enjoy the rest of my time. I can wait until I get home to see how many "likes" and comments my photos have. I would rather spend my time talking and laughing with my husband, family, friends...whoever I'm with and really be present and not miss any moments.  Watching the game or concert I spent money on because I really wanted to be there to see my favorite team or band is more important to me.

I wrote a post about this a few years ago. I was at a Boston Red Sox game and as I looked around all I saw were phones. People taking pictures, videos, selfies, looking at social media. I even saw a woman playing games on her phone. Is anyone watching the game? Are you here to see a great baseball game or post your photos then pick up your phone every 2 minutes to see who looked at them? It makes me wonder what is more important to some people, that you are actually at a Sox game enjoying yourself with your loved ones or that you need the world to know that you are?

Document those memories, but also remember to BE where you are. 

* You will need gifts for grandparents for the holidays.  Ask any grandparent. A calendar, magnet, or framed print of your baby, children, or family make the BEST gifts!

* Your family portraits need updating. When was the last time you took family photos? Most photographers run specials at this time of year, so it's the perfect time to book a session and get those updated photos you've been meaning to have done. 

* Holiday Cards! We all know how much everyone loves receiving a photo card of your family, children, and/or pets in the mail during the holidays. Personally, I look forward to seeing everyone's pictures and love getting those photo cards in the mail. 

* Photo ornaments make a great keepsake for you or to give as a gift. They are an inexpensive home decor item that everyone will enjoy looking at on the tree year after year. 

* The weather and lighting are amazing. The autumn days are beautiful for taking photos. The cool crisp air is comfortable for everyone and the lighting is gorgeous. Even if you decide to have your photos taken inside, the natural light coming in at this time of year will give you great results. 

In high school the new school year brought a lot of the same traditions, such as shopping and looking forward to seeing friends. But it also brought new adventures such as Fall sports, which we would start practicing for in the summer, and new schedules that you got to choose yourself. The buzz of meeting new teachers and friends was always a thrill for me.

College brought a whole new flood of back to school feelings. I was nervous, excited, and motivated. I commuted from home so I didn't have the added anxiety of moving away to school, but it was definitely a big change. I loved every minute of college and over the years I made lots of great friends and memories. Many of those memorable times took place in the Fall and the frenzy of a new year ahead. 

As an elementary school teacher, my outlook on the new school year did not change much. I looked upon the new school year as a time to regroup, get back to a routine, create an inviting classroom for my students, and of course go shopping! Even though I treasured my leisurely summers and beach time, by the time it was winding down I was ready to go back to school. Every August I would start having first day of school anxiety dreams. I was the most nervous for a new school year as an adult teacher than I ever was as a child or student. Each year I would write out "New School Year Goals". Kind of in the same way we set New Year's resolutions in January.  I would read them many times before school started and plan out how I would achieve each one as a teacher and for my students. I would revisit this often throughout the year and tweak and adjust as needed, but I never forgot about those goals that I set. It is a tradition I truly valued. Although I would joke that I was going to be missing my beach days, I was always truly happy to meet my new class and start a new year. I made sure my classroom was perfect and ready for my eager students and as I had done a million times before, picked out my perfect first day of school outfit. Each year began as a flurry of fun and hard work. 

At the moment I am not teaching but I still hold the start of a school year close to my heart. I truly enjoy hearing from my teacher friends as they prepare for their new year. The emotion of this can be difficult, I do miss it but I also love what I'm doing now so it's all good. I'm excited for my family and my friends' kids who are getting ready to start school and I LOVE seeing all their first day of school and back to school photos. It's super fun to see the college in the town we live in buzzing back to life. New beginnings are all around us and it's refreshing and fun to be around. 

Lastly, my absolute favorite thing about a new school year is photographs! My family has all of our first day of school photos and I can pretty much envision every single one without even looking at them. I can't wait to see everyone's back to school photos, keep em coming! Happy New School Year everybody! 

Why is Spring a great time to book a photo session?

* You will need gifts for upcoming holidays and events.  Lots of gift giving happens during the Spring season ~ Easter, mother's day, father's day, graduations, and other end of school year happenings.  A canvas, framed print, or magnet make the BEST gifts!

* Your family portraits need updating. When was the last time you took family photos? Most photographers run specials at this time of year, so it's the perfect time to book a session and get those updated photos you've been meaning to have done. Spring colors are so pretty and fun, it's a great time to use pops of bright colors. 

* Wall art makes a great keepsake. After you have your session done, do not let your photos sit in a gallery while you keep meaning to have something made. Spruce up your home decor with a beautiful canvas or framed print for your home. Many people love to decorate their kids' rooms with wall art. 

* The weather and greenery are amazing. The springtime days are beautiful for taking photos. The warm air is comfortable for everyone before the heat of summer heads to town. Of course the flowers are in bloom and the trees are full of leaves, need I say more? A park or your backyard are ideal spots. 

* The lighting is oh so pretty.  It stays lighter longer, which makes it easier to book your session. Any time of day is great, but I really love the hour before sunset at this time of year. Most any outdoor spot will do. People usually think of the summer for water pictures, but springtime is really pretty at the beach or by a river. I highly encourage outdoor photo sessions during the Spring, you will not regret it!

Don't forget, $10 of all session fees are donated to a local charity.  It's always a good time to give back!

We would make a day out of it and go see the daffodils, go for a walk on the trails nearby, stop by the beach and take in the view and salty air, then go for lunch at one of our favorite seafood spots. Of course I would take tons of photos. 

I miss this tradition, but I was happy to stumble upon this little gem just up the road from my house. We are having unusually warm weather here in North Carolina and I am loving it! All around us flowers have been in bloom a little early. So the other day, on a beautiful 80 degree afternoon, I grabbed my Canon and headed over to this sweet spot. The daffodils were planted and are maintained by a local family, the Ellis Family. The bulbs date back to 1932.  There were lots of people enjoying them and taking photos when I went to visit. I love that the family keeps up the tradition for our community and I was glad I was able to take some new daffodil photos in my new home. 

A little brother looking up to his older sister. A proud older brother adoring his small siblings.  Expectant parents who are in love with their child before they even meet him or her. The over the moon love grandparents have for their grandchildren. The ridiculous love that we have for our pets.  My cats are even in love with each other! The never-ending love that we have for our parents. Families who love each other in all their craziness. Couples spending time together doing the things they love. A husband or wife doing something special for their spouse just because. Friends who unconditionally love each other through all the years of laughter and tears. Reuniting with an old friend and picking up where you left off, and then some. Co-workers that make workdays so much more than going to a job.  Gym members that add laughs and fun to make your workout more than just minutes of torture. Strangers doing random acts of kindness. People we haven't even met...sports figures, heroes, musicians, celebrities. Actually some aren't real! Book, TV, and movie characters hold places in our hearts. We also love things and places.  

Love is all around us. Where do you see love around you today? Everyday?

As a 4th grade teacher I strived to instill this value in my students. I would read them books about helping others and giving back. I taught them that a small act can go a long way and really make someone's day and make a difference in their life. My close friend and colleague was also very passionate about charity and helping others. Together we taught an after school class that combined doing art projects and activities with giving back to our community. We also planned lessons together to teach to our classes. We would teach kindness lessons with our students throughout the year. They would do things like make gifts for younger students and deliver them to their classroom, read with a younger class, collect items to donate to a local charity, and the list just goes on. Each year during the holiday season we would do a huge drive for items to put together gift bags for Meals on Wheels recipients. This activity in particular touched my heart. It amazed me to see the students come in the classroom each morning during the collection time with armloads of items. They were so proud to help out. We worked hard to make sure everything was student-led. We were there to guide them, they were in charge. Another big event we held was an annual book drive. Our 4^th graders would collect gently used books from the entire school and hold a book sale during reading week. They would donate all the proceeds to a local charity. Again, they did it all on their own. They had to ask the principal for permission, decide on a charity to sponsor, make and hang up posters, send home flyers, organize the books, run the sale each day, clean up, count the money. Those are just a couple of examples. I truly hope I was able to inspire those young little minds and hearts.

I have since left the classroom but still enjoy working with kids and remain passionate about helping out. I am part of a women's group and volunteer in the community. I take part in races and other charity events around the community. I decided it was time to combine my joy of helping others with my love for photography.

During the month of December I ran a special promotion. For every photo session booked, I donated $10 to the client's favorite charity. I got such a positive response that after giving it some thought I decided to do it year round. Beginning in January, 2017 $10 of each photo session or event will be donated to a local charity. Since working with children is something dear to me, I chose local organizations that help children and their families. When you book a session or event, choose which organization you would like me to make a donation. Or you can choose a cause that is important to you. Let's give back together!

I checked some things off my "list" in 2016, so I need to add some new ones. Looking forward to 2017, stay tuned for more of my photo adventures! Cheers to 2017!

* You will need gifts for grandparents for the holidays.  Ask any grandparent. A calendar, magnet, or framed print of your baby, children, or family make the BEST gifts!

* Your family portraits need updating. When was the last time you took family photos? Most photographers run specials at this time of year, so it's the perfect time to book a session and get those updated photos you've been meaning to have done. 

* Holiday Cards! We all know how much everyone loves receiving a photo card of your family, children, and/or pets in the mail during the holidays. Personally, I look forward to seeing everyone's pictures and love getting those photo cards in the mail. 

* Photo ornaments make a great keepsake for you or to give as a gift. They are an inexpensive home decor item that everyone will enjoy looking at on the tree year after year. 

* The weather and lighting are amazing. The autumn days are beautiful for taking photos. The cool crisp air is comfortable for everyone and the lighting is gorgeous. Even if you decide to have your photos taken inside, the natural light coming in at this time of year will give you great results. 

Pier at Atlantic Beach Atlantic Beach Atlantic Beach

Emerald Isle - Moon

Emerald Isle

1. Charge, charge, charge! Whether you're using your phone, iPad, digital camera, or DSLR…don't forget to charge it up ahead of time. 
2. Also don't forget the memory card. You want to make sure it's in the camera and there's lots of space free. I usually put it in the camera the night before I use it , clear old photos, and snap a couple of practice shots to make sure the card is working okay. They can act up sometimes!
3. Open the curtains and shades. You want to let in as much natural light as you can. 
4. And speaking of lights, turn on the tree lights and any other lit decor when you wake up. 
5. Take a couple of shots of the room before all the ripping and tearing begins. I have lots of photos from my childhood of the living room before we opened the gifts and those are just as fun to look at. Get the stockings too. :)
6. If you can, try to get a couple of the kids in front of the tree in their pi's before they open the gifts, it'll be much easier than trying to round them up after they open them and they are playing. 
7. Last, but in my opinion most importantly, live in the moment! We all love candid shots but do you want to experience the look on your child's face behind a device? Capture the memories but also be present and enjoy this special time with your family.  Wait til later or tomorrow to post to your social media. 

Happy Holidays to All!

The look on a groom's face as he sees his bride coming down the aisle.

Seniors on their way to the prom

Nurses as proud as can be on their pinning day after all their hard work and dedication ~ their new career path begins!

Parents walking their daughter down the aisle

Tears of joy during a wedding ceremony

 Having fun together during a photo session

A bride in anticipation on her special day

Smile!

Devon Rowland PhotographyDevon Rowland Photography

How did you spend your Valentine's Day this year? Well, I had the most fun shooting this Valentine's Day wedding with a wintery, rustic theme. The couple met on Valentine's Day so they decided to have their special day on the same date. The ceremony and reception took place at the Waypoint in downtown New Bedford, MA.  I love the cobblestone streets and architecture of the area. It was a perfect spot to capture some great moments. How pretty are those red shoes?! Take a look!

Her shoe was stuck in the gap!

9G7A7715

ROS_0204

I love watching the groom as the bride comes down the aisle

Quilt ~ made by great-grandmother

Chair ~ belonged to auntie, purchased by great-grandparents

Sox/Pats shirts ~ for her Grandpa and Dad!