Here is a sweet face to brighten your day in the beautiful (but rainy!) Portland, OR. This little guy was all smiles- and he had the biggest, brightest smile you have ever seen. What a happy baby!
Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
A Sweet Face to Brighten This Rainy Portland Day {Portland Children’s Photographer}
January 24, 2010Have you read this book? Free workshop in Seattle!
January 21, 2010Have you read the book “A Children’s Guide to Chakras” by Susan Marek? If not, you should. It is sold at the New Renaissance Bookstore here in Portland, OR, along with Amazon, etc. Definitely check it out!
Susan will be having a free workshop in in Seattle on March 6, 2010 that I would like to tell you about. Here’s the info:
An Introduction to Chakras for Children of All Ages
Saturday, March 6, 2010
10:30am – 12:00pm
EastWest Bookshop, Seattle, WA
Free!
Are you ready to release your inner child?
Join Susan Marek in an entertaining and educational look at the energy body and chakras, based on her book, “A CHILDREN’S GUIDE TO CHAKRAS.” Children of all ages will enjoy the meditations and fun activities that explore the chakras and how they play a key role in our energetic health and well-being.
Susan Marek is a life-long intuitive who works with angels, ascended masters, and elementals to provide healing, guidance, and insight to earthly issues. Trained as a Reiki Master and as an Angel Therapy Practitioner® and medium, certified by Doreen Virtue, PhD, Susan uses her knowledge to be of service to others through readings, speaking, and writing. You can also view her website at: www.susanmarek.com.
Valentine’s Photography Special: You don’t want to miss!
January 11, 2010Are you looking to give that special someone something fun and unique for Valentine’s Day? Amber strives to provide her clients with a photography experience unlike any other. From the start to finish, Amber addresses the needs of her clients and works to provide them exactly what they are looking for, and more. Children have a blast as well, and are greeted with a fun surprise at every session. If you’re looking for a great gift- here is your chance for an excellent deal!
Right now Photography by Amber is offering a limited special Buy One, Get One: Gift Certificate Promo. For example, purchase a $100 gift certificate, and receive another $100 gift certificate- purchase a $500 gift certificate, and receive another $500 gift certificate, etc. Yes, you read that right. 
You can combine the gift certificates for yourself, or give one to another special someone as a perfect gift for Valentine’s Day. This is also a great opportunity for those who are on a tight budget to take advantage of this offer- we all know that every little bit helps, and we need to work together as a community to provide each other with products and services that are of exceptional quality and held to the highest standards.
This offer is valid until Thursday, January 14th 2010 at midnight. Please e-mail Amber to take advantage of limited time offer. Also, be sure to share this with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.
Holiday Events in Portland, OR
December 19, 2009There are so many things to do around town this holiday season. Here are some last minute things in the Portland area that you and your family might enjoy going to (if you haven’t been already!).
Zoolights (at the Oregon Zoo)- My husband and I took our kids to see the zoolights last night, and I must say, we ALL had a blast. They have a million lights (literally!) and you walk around this winter wonderland. There are animated animals, the train is decorated for the holidays, etc. Definitely worth going to for children and adults of all ages.
Peacock Lane- Apparently every year (since the 1920s!) this neighborhood in southeast Portland has been decorating their houses for Christmas. It gets very crowded here, so don’t expect to drive through quickly. It’s definitely worth checking out! I know my kids love driving around and looking at Christmas lights, so it’s nice to find a neighborhood that goes in together like this to make the holidays fun for everyone.
The Grotto- We haven’t been to this yet, but I’m really wanting to go. It looks beautiful, and I think it will be enjoyed by all. The Grotto is having their 22nd annual Christmas Festival of Lights (until December 30th). They have over half a million lights, events, puppet shows, chorus, food and beverages, etc.
The Pittock Mansion- They are having their Tinsel, Trees, and Traditions: 150 Years of Christmas. They have rooms decorated to celebrate the traditions of Christmas. Very interesting, and worth checking out it you can.
The Fantasy Trail (in Oregon City)- This trail is so neat. It’s decorated with thousands of lights, and you walk through a 40 ft castle with holiday scenes. Such fun for the little ones!
Miracle of a Million Lights (at the Queen Anne Victorian Mansion)- We haven’t been to this yet, but I’d really like to go if we can. It looks fun. The mansion is decorated for the holidays (with 2.5 million lights!), and there are 10 uniquely- decorated Christmas trees, homemade apple cider, and more. They have a gift shop with unique stocking stuffers as well.
The Nutcracker (at the Oregon Ballet Theater)- I remember going to see this when I was little (not out here, but back in TN). I was so excited and I’m hoping to take my son this year, as I think it would be a great holiday tradition.
Winter Wonderland (at the Portland International Raceway)- We are actually going to this tonight. It’s known at the “largest light show west of the Mississippi.” It’s a drive-through light show, with over 250 colorful displays and 40 fully animated scenes. Apparently, this year, you also can drive through a tunnel of lights. Should be fun!
There are many more events going on in and around the Portland, OR area as well. Hopefully this list will help you in finding some fun things to do around town. And, as always, if you have any suggestions, please let me know! We love finding new stuff to do around this awesome city!
Twin Toddlers
November 19, 2009I love toddlers. They are so fun. I have one myself It’s an age where they learn SO much, so fast. They move pretty fast as well! These two were so cute, and definitely had their own little personalities. Here’s a few to share for now..
It’s Official- We’re Moving!
September 11, 2009As some of you know, we have had our house up for sale. I would like to finally announce that things are official, we are moving! Unfortunately, I only have a limited amount of sessions left here in southern California. If you would like to be notified when I come out here for sessions in the future, please fill out the contact form on my website and I will definitely keep you updated.
We are very excited to be moving back to the beautiful Pacific Northwest, and I look forward to documenting lives and memories in that part of the country. Things will be pretty busy over the next few months, but I do hope to post photos of my own as well as those of my amazing clients.
Adorable Newborn (& family)
September 9, 2009
Vacation & Update
August 30, 2009I would like to let my clients know that I will be on vacation from Monday, August 31st through Monday, September 7th. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to email me, and I will get back with you as soon as we are back.
Also, you might notice that the blog is different (not nearly as gorgeous as it usually is ). We have been having some technical issues, so hopefully I can get it straightened out soon and things will be back to normal once I return.
I hope everyone has a lovely week! This is our last until my son goes back to school, and we are planning on enjoying it as much as we can. 
Kid Friendly Places to Visit (Portland area)
August 3, 2009I promised to post some of the kid friendly places that we visited while we were in the Portland area. Of course, there are literally endless possibilities, but with the time that we had, here are some places I definitely recommend you visit if you get the chance:
Jamison Fountain (in the Pearl district)- My kids absolutely *loved* this fountain. With the “waterfalls” and the shallow “tidal pool”, it was perfect for both my 6 year old and 16 month old. Children of all ages were there enjoying cooling off (for free btw) at this cute fountain in the middle of the city.
Cafe Sip-n-Play (Vancouver)- My husband and I were looking for a good place to take the kids to play and have lunch. This is the perfect place. The food was surprisingly really good, and the play area for the kids was *very* clean. There was even a smaller area for non-walking babies as well. Oh, and they have free wifi as well. It’s set up so that you can sit, have coffee, use your computer, etc while the kids go play and you can see them from where you are sitting. Very convenient. All the other children there were really well behaved as well (we have been to play areas where things get crazy and the little ones get trampled on, but here was surprisingly peaceful). The staff was super friendly as well.
Old Wives’ Tales Restaurant (Portland)- We weren’t expecting the amazing food that we had at this place. Maybe because we had had a long day, and the kids were restless, but when we got here, we were pleasantly surprised at the neat children’s play area, and fresh, natural foods. The kids had a blast playing in the play area (there are apparently three dining areas, so you have the option of sitting near the play area, or in another area for a more relaxing meal (if you don’t have kids of course ). The food was *so* good. Definitely stop by if you get the chance, even without the kids. They are super vegetarian friendly as well.
New Renaissance Bookstore (Portland)- Conveniently located on NW 23rd in Portland (which is fun to walk around there also), this bookstore has so many neat books and other goodies. The children’s area is great. There is a little (very little, actually, but it kept the kids busy for a while!) area they can play in next to the children’s books. It had books, toys, etc they could play with. They have all sorts of books ranging from religious, values, different perspectives on life, etc. Definitely worth going to if you’re in the area. And Powell’s isn’t too far either.
Whole Foods (Tigard)- Yes, that’s right. Whole Foods. The one in Tigard is seriously the coolest Whole Foods I’ve ever been to in my life (Although the one in Vancouver, WA had the friendliest people I’ve ever met in my life!).
Multnomah Falls- Beautiful. Gorgeous. Even just the drive there. Words can not describe how beautiful the Columbia River Gorge area is. The kids loved exploring and both thought the waterfalls (we saw several on the Historic Columbia River Highway) were just the coolest things ever.
Dutch Bros Coffee- Seriously *the* best coffee my husband and I have ever tasted. Ever. If anyone knows of a coffee place that beats out Dutch Bros PLEASE let me know, because I have never tasted coffee so good! WHY are there not any down here in southern California? Even northern California has some. They have kid friendly drinks there as well
That is my short list. There is a lot more. There are so many cool parks, nature trails, etc that we went to and I am bummed out I didn’t catch the names of them. Hope this list is helpful, and don’t forget to check these places out if you live or are ever in the area!