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08.25.08
At the beginning of August we traveled with my whole family to Arizona to attend my crazy family reunion. There were literally 1,000 people in attendance, it was the biggest turn out we had ever had! My Great-Great-grandparents lived on 160 acres of land that eventually the government gave to them under the Homestead Act. Every two years we gather together to enjoy the evergreens, red dirt, camp fires, ghost stories,learn about our heritage, and get to know the other 900 people we've never met. I never realized how AWESOME it is that my g-g-grandparents had such an amazing vision of bringing their family together at such a beautiful place, its such a crazy legacy that they have built and provided for us! I feel completely blessed to be a part of such a huge family that believes in holding together!
In the following images you will notice a ton of DIRTY FACES! This is when you know your kid is having a good time at the reunion, when he is covered head to toe in red dirt! Hudson was definitely one of those dirty kids!
During the day the there was what was called "village time" where everyone could go around and learn about how things were done way back when... Here's hudson getting his face shaved at the barber shop.
Milking a cow!
Trying to catch a chicken!
Jill is probably going to hate me for posting the next two images, but I had to, they make me LOL!
Making a rope!
Roping cattle!
One of Hudson's favorite things to do at the reunion was to ride on the "train" someone had put together and hooked up to a golf cart.
Believe it or not, Hudson took this shot!
My favorite shot from this series, isn't this land beautiful?!
We hiked up Sierra Del Trigo, here's Kenny and Justin almost to the top!
Kenny and Jill's victory jump at the top!
On the ride home:
Kristin said:
How fun is that? Looks like a super pretty place. What a fun idea to do all those old school things. Great pictures as always! Fun post!
(08.25.08 03:30 PM)
nate kaiser said:
great pics guys...and congratulations about breaking down barriers and posting some nipples on your blog ;)
(08.25.08 03:37 PM)
Alicia said:
Ahhh! What an amazing day! How awesome that your family does this! Note to self: have a large family so they can have large reunions one day.
(08.25.08 03:52 PM)
Amy Martin said:
Um, wow! That's such an awesome experience! You're so blessed to have such a huge amazing family :)
(08.25.08 04:29 PM)
angel swanson said:
soo jealous of your big, beautiful family! can't wait to have one of my own. ;-) xoox
(08.25.08 07:03 PM)
Lara @ Southern Weddings said:
What a fun reunion! Such great shots. I love Hudson trying to catch the chicken... he is so full of happiness!
(08.25.08 07:37 PM)
Mands said:
Huge fan of your work and these are just pure fun!
(08.25.08 08:01 PM)
Cathy said:
1000 people?!?! And I thought my family was big. Wow. Great photos as always :)
(08.26.08 03:06 AM)
Elise said:
I like the victory jump!
(08.26.08 08:45 AM)
sandra said:
look it's ur mom! Hi mom... i love your family.. looks like you had a blast!
(08.27.08 12:35 AM)
Caroline Ghetes said:
Okay, the photo of Kenny & Justin where he is pointing to the sky and getting his 'you know what' twisted just cracks me up. What a wonderful photo documentation of the event! Very cool!
(08.27.08 05:32 PM)
Roger W Ellsworth said:
You guys didn't tell me that you were related to dwight schrute. Didn't he have a sawmill? oops, nope...it was a beat farm. Dont' worry, a sawmill is cooler than a beat farm any day. From the engagement pics of your cuz with the trees, it looks like you've got alot more cuttin to do. Favorite pic is for sure the Justin glasses on the road one. It's the type of picture that inspires a song about all the sites his glasses have seen while he was sleeping. Just throwing it out there for anyone to take. (cricket sounds) But nobody cares (cricket sounds). good night.
(08.27.08 10:08 PM)
ksen :) said:
okay... it is official. you guys have seriously the cutest kids ever... so neat to see them grow in the different posts!!! looks like a kickin' time too. ;)
(08.28.08 01:11 PM)
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Whiting Reunion!
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08.03.08
First Whammy: Happy 6 year anniversary to my life-long sweetheart, I can't believe how lucky I am to be married to the most amazing man alive! The past 6 years have been nothing short of happiness and excitement, here's to the rest of our forever Justin!!!! I love my Hudd!
Second Whammy: We found out on our anniversary, August 2nd, that we won the Blu Photographer of Year 2008-2009 award! WOW! (Imagine our jaws dropped to the floor!) We can't believe it! WAHOOOOO! When we found out about our nomination we were extremely honored and flattered to just be mentioned among the other talented photographers in running. We want to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone that follows and supports our work, also to those who took the time to vote for us! This has been a fun ride and we loved every minute of it! We've read everyones' comments and feel a deep sense of gratitude for what has been said.
This photo was taken at my family reunion on our anniversary at the top of Sierra Trigo, I think it best fits how fun that day was! Yippee!
angie + matt said:
Holy smokes! 6 years have flown by! Congrats on the anniversary and congrats on the win!!!
(08.03.08 11:23 PM)
jac said:
happy anniversary! we are so happy and proud of you guys for all of your amazing work!!! can i still be your friend? :)
(08.03.08 11:31 PM)
sandra said:
i am so jazzed for you guys! and i have been thinking about your anniversary all weekend! happy 6 years! can you believe we have know each other that long. and um.. of course you got the photog's of the year!!! you both deserve it more than anyone else i know! :)
(08.03.08 11:41 PM)
angel swanson said:
congratulations on blu photographer of the year, as well as 6 fab years! ;-) erik and i celebrate 3 years on wednesday, so i'm feelin' the lovey dovey mood.
(08.04.08 12:14 AM)
Jen Bebb said:
So happy for you guys! We talk about you two in every workshop we do, so this is no surprise to us! Looking forward to seeing you both sometime soon!
(08.04.08 12:56 AM)
Suzie said:
Congrats on Blu Photographer of the Year and your anniversary! Your work is amazing!
(08.04.08 05:51 AM)
Pandora Van Natter said:
Amelia & Justin, Congratulations on being Blu's Photographers of the year and 6 years of happiness together! Well earned! ~Pandora
(08.04.08 06:28 AM)
Tyler Jacobs said:
YEAH!!! Congrats, guys!! You totally deserve it!! I'm glad to see my vote counted! :D
(08.04.08 08:35 AM)
JORY CORDY said:
WHAAMMMYYY!!! Super Congrats on the success of your marriage and biz. peace and love.
(08.04.08 09:27 AM)
Meredith Carlson said:
I already commented on Blu's site, but I didn't realize it was your anniversary too! Congrats you guys. You're a huge inspiration to me!
(08.04.08 09:31 AM)
Tonya Peterson said:
I am so excited for you! You guys are awesome and totally deserve it!
(08.04.08 09:56 AM)
Jonathan Kim said:
That is so freakin awesome! You guys most definitely deserve to be the winners! Congrats!
(08.04.08 10:18 AM)
Ashley said:
So cute! Happy anniversary you two! You are both so talented that it's really no surprise you won! I love learning from the best =).
(08.04.08 10:27 AM)
FRED EGAN said:
Congrats you guys-it was great being nominated along side you of you two...WHAMMY!!!
(08.04.08 12:09 PM)
Roger W Ellsworth said:
THIS IS AN OUTRAGE! I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY OVERLOOKED YOU GUYS AGAIN! I COULDN'T SLEEP LAST NIGHT I WAS SOOOO MAD!!! WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD EVER......WHAT!? What was that? Oh...wait up,...they won? Oh good. See... I always new that you would do it. You are the best. CONGRATS my friends. You guys, I had a dream last night and Nate was in it and he was showing me how to flip his hat (like in the Man of the Year pics), It was cool...but wierd. Don't tell anyone. I don't want anyone thinking I'm crazy. Tell Nate, it was nice to meet him.
(08.04.08 12:27 PM)
pauline said:
congratulations! you guys truly do some amazing work!
(08.04.08 12:35 PM)
Gretta & Rob said:
Yay!! I KNEW you could do it. It's because you are the best photographers in the history of everything.
We LOVE you guys.
(08.04.08 01:47 PM)
shain said:
Congrats you two!
I just started visiting your blog since the bludomain contest has started, and I love your work so much! So congrats, and HAPPY 6 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!!!!
(08.04.08 03:02 PM)
Malia Peniata said:
Congrats on winning! You guys do extremely good work! I love it! No one else should have one but you guys. Congrats again!
(08.04.08 05:38 PM)
nancy said:
I voted for you guys!! :) congrats!!! you totally deserve it! :)
(08.04.08 10:54 PM)
Michelle Moore said:
HOLY CRAP! Congratulations on LIFE!!!!!!! You two are AHmazing!!!!
(08.04.08 10:56 PM)
jamie said:
congratulations- well deserved! i love following your blog.. you are so dang good! :)
(08.05.08 09:43 AM)
Ryel j said:
Woot Woot!!!! Congratulations... doubly!! I love this photo :)... It's so you guys!
(08.05.08 12:28 PM)
Blair Van Bussel said:
wow! Congrats x2! You guys rock it - of course you won! ;)
(08.05.08 01:55 PM)
Heather Brown said:
AWWWW CONGRATS YOU GUYS!!! How exciting! I do have to say I still remember Hud sayin that his DREAM GIRL has a boyfriend (but not as long as he keeps coming around) hahahha. I love it. Congrats on 6 years!!! And HUGE congrats on BLU PHOTOGRAPHER of the year!! Love you guys and miss you!
(08.05.08 10:17 PM)
Mandy Abbott said:
You guys are amazing!!! Even though I'm still mad at you Amelia for making me wear that purple mumu!! Happy 6! Love you guys.
(08.06.08 08:58 PM)
ksen :) said:
congrats! congrats! congrats! knew you guys would win cuz you are the bomb diggity! :D
(08.07.08 10:19 AM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Double Whammy!
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Yippppeeeeee! We have officially made it to the top four nominees for Bludomain's photographer of the Year, be sure to stop by their blog and VOTE FOR US as soon as you can by clicking HERE!
Becky said:
I voted for you guys...I've been stalking your blog, and I really love your stuff. Crossing my fingers for you!
(07.31.08 01:30 PM)
Gretta said:
I voted!!! Win Win Win!
(07.31.08 01:50 PM)
denise bovee said:
oh oopsss..i voted for whats their name..... haaa kidding. You know I love you guys! you get my vote!!
(07.31.08 04:01 PM)
Chatti said:
I voted! Love you guys since forevr! Of course you will win. Corssing fingers and eyes, and hands, and feet!
(07.31.08 07:11 PM)
ben + laura said:
you got our vote ... good luck and keep up the snazzalicous work!!
(07.31.08 07:47 PM)
alice park said:
hello! i JUST discovered you guys from bludomain's little (no BIG) contest and i CAN'T believe i had never run across your work before. you guys are AMAZING!!! everything you post is so inspirational and different from anything i've seen. and the best part is - you guys are great bloggers! best of luck for photographers of the year. you definitely have my vote!
(08.01.08 08:38 AM)
Roger W Ellsworth said:
Amelia, your freckles and Hud's galsses have more personallity than all of personallity town. That's right outside of "bad to the bone" Kingdom, if you've never been. They've actually got a killer 15oz steak. Mmm...delightful. Oh, and if you don't win...I'll hold a little contest of my own, and I'll see to it that you do win. Good luck friends.
(08.01.08 02:19 PM)
jeremy parsons said:
Awesome things for awesome people. Man I'm stoked for you guys! Your work is so sick!
(08.01.08 03:02 PM)
Anonymous said:
Congratulations! Well deserved win. :)
(08.02.08 08:37 PM)
Corine Tran said:
Congrats, we think your work is phenomenal and truly believe you deserved to win!
(08.02.08 09:56 PM)
Beebe Tran said:
Hey just wanted to tell you guys congrats on the win! You guys are much deserving of this honor. I've found a new inspiration by looking at your work. We do hope to meet you guys in Vegas at WPPI 09! Hope all is well!
(08.03.08 09:30 PM)
Sam Hudson said:
Hey Hud-
Trying to avoid going to sleep, because that would mean I'd have to wake up and go to work. Looking around at blogs, ran into yours. Hope things are good, ran into Wiemer a few years back in London and we talked about you. Haven't talked to him since, lost his contact info (if you know where he's at, let me know so I can bug him too). Send your old MTC comp a message, it'd be cool to catch up.
The other hud, Sam Hudson
(08.03.08 10:14 PM)
denise bovee said:
woa!!!!! im soo excited for you guys!!! you really are inspirational and you so deserved this!! congrats on the win :) xoxo
(08.03.08 10:40 PM)
Trista Lerit said:
CONGRATULATIONS!!! You guys totally deserve it...your work always inspires me :-) HUGS!
(08.04.08 10:17 AM)
Krista said:
wow, this is such an honor. You rock I love your work thanks for being such a great inspiration.
(08.06.08 04:22 PM)
Charlene said:
Congrats to the two of you's. I have been gone from BLU for awhile and saw you two as winners!!
That's Awesome!!
(08.14.08 11:32 AM)
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Blu's Photographer of the Year....Almost!
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07.31.08
Today we will be heading in the Arizona mountains to attend my family reunion among (literally) 1,000 other family members...the line goes back about 6 generations! We'll be returning on Monday August 4th, so if you are trying to get a hold of us please be patient, we will returning shortly! We'll miss y'all! Have a fantabulous week!
In the meantime, here's a sneak peak of a photo session with Denise Bovee!
michael b said:
which action (if any) is being used on this image, and many others of amelia's wonderful work? i so enjoy the grainy feel and texture of images like these. can anyone say?
(08.02.08 08:59 AM)
Angela said:
WOW! I just spent about 20 minutes in Awe over your work! It is so inspiring and you are so truly gifted people! Really just wow!
(08.30.08 11:44 AM)
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Gone for a little while....
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07.17.08
Last Sunday our coolio- good friends,Mark and Candice of Mark Brooke Photography, invited us out to spend the afternoon at Candice's parents' house in the Huntington Beach Harbor. Candice's parents also own a Duffy boat, so we all decided to go out for a little ride. It was the coolest way to spend a Sunday afternoon, just lazily riding along the harbor and enjoying the weather!
It's Capt'n Mark, FULL SPEED AHEAD!
"He's got Hydrogen Psychosis, the crazy eye!"
I love my granny-glasses!
Hudson had a ton of fun driving the boat too!
Ps. Mark and Candice can make a MAD dish of fajitas!
Hanssie said:
All I can hear is the Gilligan's island Theme song...I love the shot of Candice making faces at your cute kid!
(07.17.08 01:08 PM)
Heather Brown said:
your boy are so FREAKIN cute!!! love the pics! and i LOVE seein pics of them!!!! I love the one of the wind blowin hudson's hair!! awesome... miss you guys!!
(07.17.08 01:28 PM)
Cristy Cross said:
I LOVE the one of you and your baby with your granny glasses on. It is so sweet. I want one of those with me and my baby boy :)
(07.17.08 01:53 PM)
Roger W Ellsworth said:
This shoot (good time) looks like it was so o 0 o 0 o fun. I had fun like this in San Francisco today. I opened a bottle of creamy salsa (from my friends, the tostitos company) and it jumped from my hand and cracked at the rim of the glass. So I clean up what spilled and started eating the rest. Now would you think that some glass might have broken off into the creamy salsa. Neither would I, but there was. Have you ever bitten glass? I did. Not cool. I'm going to my favorite place besides home...the SPA! Amelia and Hud, by the way, have you ever actually taken bad pictures? As far as i've known you, no...you have not. Just to let you know, You nailed it again and again. Keep on Rockin. Oh, and don't eat glass......ever.
(07.20.08 07:16 PM)
Steve Gerrard said:
Love seeing your personal pics as well as the weddings etc. The boys look so cool.
Not sure I can forgive you for the rogue apostrophe in the title though ;) lol
Steve
(07.25.08 01:34 AM)
Neale James said:
LOVE LOVE LOVE your pictures! The feeling and emotion comes through without that shadow of doubt or underexposure. I've now headed into your blog to read all about you.
(08.12.08 10:44 PM)
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On the Duffy with the Brookes!
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