Amanda Wilson, Author at Photos by Amanda Wilson

Feb 08

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Ask to See The Rain Plan – Choosing a wedding venue for all weather

By Amanda Wilson | Armstrong Farms, Behind the Scenes, Lingrow Farm, Wedding Planning, weddings | No Comments

Venue shopping tip: ASK TO SEE THE RAIN PLAN – so important! Especially if plan A is an outdoor ceremony or cocktail hour or the primary plan for photos is the outdoor space. Make sure the rain plan is something you will love just as much and not be a hastily thrown together poor substitute. Ask yourself if you had to have your day with nothing but the rain plan – where would everyone sit, what would it look like, how is the lighting, can it be decorated, if you have no ability to go outside (maybe it’s hurricane season) where will you be able to take photos? And then make sure you’re not just worst case scenario “okay with those options” make sure you are still excited about them ! Be realistic and be prepared!! There are lots of opportunities for photos with the “good shoes” – your jimmy…

Jun 06

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My WHY am I a photographer

By Amanda Wilson | Behind the Scenes, For Photographers, Personal, weddings | No Comments

There’s a lot of things you don’t know about “old photographers” – I don’t just mean the retired ones or the ones who did photos before photos were digital. I mean the ones who have been doing it for more than a decade maybe a few decades. That’s “old” in a a creative industry where thousands of new “photographers” get their first camera for christmas every year and lots of “professional photographers” burn out and change jobs like a comet flashing across the universe into darkness. For those of us who have been at this so many years it’s not just what we do anymore, it’s who we are – sometimes we get to do one of those jobs where we call up our photog friends like I did and say “I got to shoot one of those jobs today, the ones that remind you why you started all this…

Jan 23

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Pinehall at Eisler Farms – Kylee + Michael

By Amanda Wilson | Pinehall Eisler Farms, weddings | No Comments

The words most spoken that day were “thank you” in every toast, every vow, every hug – they thanked God for each other, for the beautiful weather, for the chance to be together with family and friends, for life. Their wedding was so emotional. Tears of sorrow for loved ones dearly missed, and tears of joy for the power of love and celebration. I am so glad that fate brought this couple into my life because now we get to be friends for life. And I hope even in ordinary days in the future, happy times, or hard days when we miss people we love, that we always make time for champagne and confetti and fireworks and saying thank you. Pinehall at Eisler Farms is one of my favorite rustic venues because everything is all in one place! There’s space for both sides of the bridal party to get…

Jan 22

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Serra Catholic High School Senior | Nora

By Amanda Wilson | Seniors | No Comments

I have watched this girl grow up! Nora is a Serra Catholic High School senior and the first time I met her was actually while I was taking her big sister’s senior photos and she tagged along to help! I’ll never forget that day – she was just knee high to a grasshopper but was so eager to hold my reflector and make her sister laugh for pictures! It’s a huge honor to get to do photos for multiple siblings in the same family and be trusted with all of those memories! Since it was Nora’s turn this time, I picked out one of my favorite spots where the spring flowers in bloom. The past few years have really made for a strange experience for high school students with shut downs, virtual school, canceling of all their milestones like prom, college visits, driver’s tests, sports, clubs, and time with…

Jan 20

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Armstrong Farms Fieldstone Barn Wedding |Taylore + Thomas

By Amanda Wilson | Armstrong Farms, weddings | No Comments

Ten years ago, I did Taylore’s senior pictures and we had SO MUCH FUN we talked about me doing her wedding someday. Someday became today on June 12th this year, and it was the most beautiful sunny day for a wedding! Taylore and her girls got ready in the farm house at Fieldstone and she did a first look with her Dad on the front porch *tears* ! Thomas and the guys had a visit from Armstrong’s furry mascot, Miss Rosey Allen over at the Drake Cabin. They danced in the fields at sunset and partied late into the night with Steven Vance Entertainment. What a privilege to know such a great family over the years and to get to be there for the most special day for them! I can’t wait to be there for all the chapters of their story ahead. Armstrong Farms Fieldstone Barn is one…

Jan 12

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Fall Engagement Photos at Pinehall | Michael & Kylee

By Amanda Wilson | Engagements, Pinehall Eisler Farms | No Comments

We CLEARLY had the best time ever shooting their engagement photos at Pinehall in October ! Should you wear a hat for your engagement photos? Yes. Especially if it’s a hat with this much personality. Should you carry a bottle of champagne out to a field at sunset? YES. Be fearlessly happy and in love. Love hard. Dance and laugh and celebrate the things that make life beautiful no matter how big or small. And TAKE PICTURES! Pinehall is an outstanding location for photos! Not only can you host your wedding there, but you can also use the extensive property for your engagement photo shoot! With Kylee and Michael we walked the grounds enjoying acres of fall color, the dock at the lake, and sunset through the red leaves of the big maple tree by the barn. We learned through trial and error that the key to a great champagne…

Jan 12

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West Overton Village Wedding | Kevin + Jen

By Amanda Wilson | weddings, West Overton | No Comments

So much fun they did it TWICE ! After c*^!d downsized their plans last year, this summer it was time to be with family and friends again. And the theme for this day was JOY! Sometimes when it comes to happy things – more is more. Flower girls? They had 8. Pie instead of cake? How about an entire table full of pies. And 2 cookie tables, and an ice cream sundae station? When you got married in a pandemic, with less than 15 people, in masks – your postponed wedding day is all about FUN and celebration! They renewed their vows in front of everyone in a garden ceremony at West Overton Village and guests got to enjoy cocktail hour in the museum with all of the interactive exhibits. I love this historic distillery location for all of the different spaces on the grounds and the stories behind them….

Jan 12

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Succop Conservancy Engagement Photos | Emily & Shawn

By Amanda Wilson | Engagements, Succop Conservancy | No Comments

Should you bring your dog to your engagement session? YES! One hundred percent YES all the time! Dogs are a part of our families it just feels right to include them in these important moments! Emily and Shawn were in town for the week and brought their brand new puppy, Franklin with them to their engagement photos at Succop Conservancy. The Conservancy has a beautiful property near the Butler County Airport with forest, fields, two ponds, and numerous buildings and backdrops that make it a great location for photos. They also host weddings and other events in their pavilion! Franklin was an absolute puppy angel for their session, just glad to be included and on a little adventure with his people. We explored the trails behind the pond and even ran into some wildlife! I got a new puppy this year as well and these two photos melt…

Jan 11

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Oak Lodge Wedding | Kristy + Drew

By Amanda Wilson | Oak Lodge, weddings | No Comments

THEY GOT MARRIED ON A WEDNESDAY! When they had to reschedule their Oak Lodge wedding due to c*v*d they took the next available date, which just happened to be a wednesday in the middle of the week! And everyone still came to celebrate! They were married at the one-of-a-kind log chapel venue at Oak Lodge in the Laurel Highlands. With cabins for all of you guests to stay, it’s the perfect place to make your wedding your own private retreat for the weekend! Two of my favorite people at the wedding (besides Kristy & Drew obviously), were Drew’s grandparents. They are in their 90s and came in from out of state to be a part of the weekend. Every time I saw Drew’s grandma she would say “isn’t this all just SO NICE?!” And I had to agree. They smiled and laughed and took lots of photos with the kids…

Jan 11

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Armstrong Farms Westminster Preserve Wedding | Olivia + Shane

By Amanda Wilson | Armstrong Farms, weddings | No Comments

What happens when it rains and an ass shows up at your wedding ? You have the best day EVER and put all of it in the wedding photos !! Olivia and Shane were married at Armstrong Farms Westminster Preserve on a cool cloudy day – which is AMAZING in August! It rained off and on but it didn’t bother us one bit – we had fun with umbrellas and snuck out after dinner for photos with dramatic clouds. Even Carrots the donkey got in on the action trying to snuggle with Shane during portraits. Armstrong Farms Westminster Preserve is a unique venue experience because your wedding day is not just one day, but a three day celebration! Rehearsals typically take place on friday evening and you’re welcome to host your rehearsal dinner right on site at the barn. The farm house comes with it’s own kitchen or you can have…

Amanda Wilson

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