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Amy Holst Limelight Images bio picture

putting the REAL you in the Limelight

I have a passion for photographing your family the way they REALLY are--favorite tattered jeans, attitudes, untied shoelaces, and wacky personalities. The things that make your family REAL--that is what I want to capture for you. 

So leave the khaki pants and black shirts at home. Dress in your fun and comfy clothes cuz we are set to relax, play, poke fun, be silly, show some love, give a little sugar, and be REAL. Because that is what makes your family who they are. 

My goal is to make your photo session a fun family experience and not just something for the men to complain about.

Onica & Ryan + bump (Roseburg, Oregon–Maternity Photographer)

I got to spend time with an AMAZING couple last weekend! Onica and Ryan came down from Salem for a maternity session and we had such a great time capturing the love they share and their excitement for the little life growing inside Oni. The love between them was so apparent that I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face after their session. Here’s a little preview for them.

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They were such good sports and played along with my dorky idea.

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And my favorite so far!

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Congratulations, you two. I can’t wait to meet Ava!

Give Life (Roseburg, Oregon–Custom Photographer)

I used to have a fear of needles.

Then I started reading about kids with cancer. Kids who are in the hospital more than they’re at home. Kids who undergo horrific treatments all in the hopes of reaching remission. So, in 2006, I donated blood for the first time and lemme tell you, it was a piece of cake!

People need blood products for many reasons . . . liver disease, hemophilia, surgery, physical trauma, severe infection, sickle cell disease (along with other forms of anemia), and people undergoing treatment for cancer/leukemia.

Only 38% of Americans are eligible to donate blood and of those, only 8% do. That’s only about 3 out of every 100 people.

My friend Sara organized a blood drive in Roseburg last week and I was able to tag along and document the process.

Here’s Sara after the iodine prep which is done to cleanse the skin. (Notice the look of fear on her face) She squeezes the ball in her hand to get the blood pumping in her arm, which makes the donation go smoothly.

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Here she is as the needle is inserted into her arm. She was too busy chatting with the phlebotomist to notice it was “that time”.

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Cracking jokes with the rest of us . . .

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This is the bag that holds the blood as it’s removed for donation.

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The final product . . . The Gift Of Life!

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And check out what you get as a “thank you” from the Red Cross.

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Here’s Sara filling out her “donor satisfaction survey”.

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And because it’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen, I thought I’d post a pic of Sara’s shirt!

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Pretty funny, eh?

The donation process takes about 45 minutes, with the actual donation taking about 10-15 minutes. While I was there, there was talk of a donation speed competition and one of the men set a new personal record for donating in under 5 minutes. (Seriously, people time it and compete with others? whoa!) I was loving it!!! There was no fear about any part of the process, just kind people chatting about their everyday lives while helping to save the lives of others. One blood donation can save up to 3 lives–wow! check out http://www.redcrossblood.org/ for more information and to read about eligibility requirements.

Please consider donating blood and giving the gift of life. You’ll be glad you did (and you’ll get free cookies and juice too)!

Willis Family, Celebration Ranch (Douglas County, Oregon–Family Photographer)

I’m so excited to share the vision of my friend, Crea Willis, with my blog readers. Crea is the director of Celebration Ranch, www.celebrationranch.org and is AMAZING (gorgeous too)!

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Here’s a little excerpt describing what Celebration Ranch is all about: “By providing the opportunity, activities, and information required to connect young leaders with their natural environment, we can help to uncover and empower the next generation of creative and environmental innovators”. Crea is collaborating with her in-laws, the owners of this heaven-on-earth property, and they have some great plans for the ranch! They have teepees out there for the kids (my own kids FREAK OUT with excitement when they see them). Beautiful ponds, amazing views, and vast serenity. They have plans for various art classes, fishing, archery, conservation, and even cross-fit training! The focus of their programs will be on children, with the ultimate goal of involving families and the community. How awesome that such a place will exist just minutes from Roseburg?!?!

Here’s Crea and her adoring hubby, Troy. Who, incidentally, used to jump over me on his BMX bike when I was a little kid (one of the downfalls of being the only girl in the neighborhood).

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The Willis clan!

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Don’t these boys look like little models? Theo and Mose, you guys rock!

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Thanks so much for sharing the beauty with our wonderful little community. I can’t wait to get tons of people involved in Celebration Ranch!

WINNERS! Giving Is Awesome Contest (Roseburg, Oregon–Family Photographer)

Caleb is so excited for the winners of the Giving Is Awesome contest! He can hardly contain himself . . .

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Here is the nomination letter I received from Kathi Kinnan:

There is this awesome family here in Camas Valley (not so far from Roseburg) who would make perfect candidates for a family photo giveaway. They most definitely cannot afford it. They began as a blended family in a little shack that could be a poster house for poverty in America. I doubt they even ever grumbled. Instead, they went about their business giving to the community time and time again: dad on the school board and mom coaching girl’s volleyball and basketball, and both very involved in their church.  They came together as dad and his two boys and mom and her two boys; all boys around the same ages.

A couple of years ago mom lost both her mother and father in the same year, quite coincidentally, and she was able to purchase a double-wide trailer for the family with the little money she received from the sale of their home. They parked it right next to the little shack and moved in.

Not long after that, or before it, I don’t really remember the time-frame, one of dad’s boys was in a football accident that required an x-ray. That x-ray changed their lives. The boy was diagnosed with bone cancer. The boy went through chemotherapy and had many hurrah moments, but then the cancer moved to his lungs. Their faith is strong, but their road has been longer than I can even imagine to this point. Because of the many trips back and forth to Portland for chemotherapy and checkup after checkup, dad has been unable to work as much as he would like, and his work is sporadic anyway.

A couple of weeks ago they made one of their trips up for a checkup where another couple of spots on the lungs were found. The boy is now 20ish and has decided on his own that he no longer wants chemotherapy. They have ordered an expensive juicer with some left over “Make a Wish” and community monies, and are currently looking at a couple of clinics (one of which is in Mexico) as a possibility, in which some serious fund raising would need to be undertaken–but no doubt would be accomplished.

The boy’s name is Dennis Wolfe. His father is Richard Wolfe and step mom Amy Wolfe. They are a most deserving and humble family who remain positive and hopeful. This family would make fine subjects for your artwork, of which would quite nicely fill their home.

Please consider this family in your holiday give-away. I love them so much.

Congratulations, Wolfe Family!!!!!! I can’t wait to set up your photo session and spend some time with the 6 of you.

And thank you to the family of judges who made this tough decision, you are SO appreciated and loved!

Lilly Bird (Roseburg, Oregon–Portrait Photographer)

Meet sweet little Lilly.

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She turned 2 months old last week and today she had her third photo session! I’ve been friends with Lilly’s mom, Cary, since we were in preschool and what an amazing friend she has been.

I just knew that Lilly would be born while we were on our family vacation to Disneyland in October and, sure enough, Cary texted me while we were driving to SoCal that she was in labor. She texted me again the next day to say that she was going in for a C-section as Lilly was being stubborn. I was thrilled when I received the news that Lilly had arrived and she and Cary were both doing well. I was heartbroken a week later when I got the news from Cary that her mother, Lilly’s grandma, had died very unexpectedly. I felt helpless being so far away, but knew that Cary was being taken care of by her wonderful hubby, Patrick, and all the rest of her family.

I’ve been amazed to see the way Cary has taken to motherhood and the love she has for Lilly, even in the midst of her pain.

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I love you, Cary, and I’m so thankful for your beautiful little blessing!

FINALLY! Christmas Kids (Roseburg, Oregon–Children Photographer)

I’ve been so busy the last couple months with photo sessions that I haven’t been taking lots of pictures of my own kiddos. So, my mom made a rad skirt for Adds and some coordinating ties for the boys and they were exactly what I had in mind for Christmas pics of my 3 little ones. And the best part? It even warmed up enough that we were able to get outside and not freeze our fingers off.

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Caleb and I found these amazingly cool lollipops a few weeks ago and they have been in my camera bag just BEGGING to be photographed :-) So, I had to oblige . . .

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I love this shot of Derek! He has such a fun personality, but normally hides it when the camera comes out, so it was great that the lollipop worked its magic on him, haha!

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We hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful time of year. Things are finally slowing down a little bit for us, so we’re hoping to get some baking done this week.

Remember to check back on Christmas Eve when I will announce the winner of the GIVING IS AWESOME contest!!!

BRRRRR! The McCurdy Family (Roseburg, Oregon–Family & Children Photographer)

It was SO COLD this morning! You’d never know it though by how amazingly well these kiddos (plus mom and dad) did for their photo shoot. We hit a couple different locations, ate some Smarties, and had a great time. Check out how beautiful these siblings are:

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And here’s mom and dad . . . trying to stay warm!

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Seriously, can you believe these kids?????

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And I love this shot of Austin and Andy, rad brothers!

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Thanks so much for the fun session guys–can’t wait to do it again!  Oh, and Olivia, I’ll be watching you :-)

Aidan (Douglas County, Oregon–Newborn Photographer)

I got to photograph this little guy before he was a week old. He was AMAZING and slept pretty much the entire time (other than a few quick meals).

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Oh I just want to gobble this little guy up!!!!!!

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Mom and dad are truly smitten with their little man and are having a blast as new parents. Congratulations Matt & Sara!

SQUIRREL!!!! California Kiddos (Douglas County, Oregon Photographer)

I got to spend some time with this family as they were passing through Roseburg to spend Thanksgiving up north. We did a family session in the morning and then I spent some time with the 3 youngest for this FUN session in the afternoon. The kids had just watched UP and especially loved the SQUIRREL! part, so that was a major part of our shoot, as evidenced by Kate’s expression here:

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Check out the baby of the family, Paige!

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Giving Is Awesome! (Douglas County, Oregon Photographer)

Let’s show some love!!!!!

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To kick off my blogging experience and to bless someone this Christmas, I thought a contest was in order! So, here’s the deal . . .

You know someone. You know someone who’s experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who is dealing with an illness, recovering from an accident, or discovering their new “normal” after the death of a loved one. You know someone who can’t afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family’s spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography. The winner will be awarded a free 2-hour photo session (to take place in 2010) on location in the Roseburg area, a $200 print credit, and a disc containing all the artist-approved images from their session. Whether it’s a storyboard, canvas, prints, or standouts, it’s in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season. Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $50 print credit from a future session. This is a good time to show some love!!!

The winner will be chosen by a team of 5 judges ranging in age from 10 to 40.

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside within the Roseburg area. Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me their story: amy@amyholst.com

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve — get nominating! I can’t wait to read all of your entries! Open your heart to someone this holiday season — and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.