Author Archives: Amanda Raney

Bluebird of Happiness

I have a few bluebird knick-knacks in my collection of home furnishings. The one pictured above is a coin bank. I call it my “Bluebird of happiness” bank. It’s a bit confusing, gender-wise, because it sports both a brown bow-tie around its neck, and pink flowers on it’s head. But that is inconsequential to me. All I know is that, to me, this is a bluebird of happiness. I got this idea of dubbing objects as  “the bluebird of happiness”  in my head as a little girl, when I watched a Shirley Temple movie entitled “The Blue Bird.” Ever since then, that’s what I think of when I see an actual bluebird or things such as my bluebird chotskies: happiness. That’s the reason why I like to have a few bluebird things around to look at from time to time.

[I originally took this photo for The “Amanda Loves” Project, and to test a new accessory for my camera that had been sent to me by a friend. My bluebird coin bank is sort of my “go-to” still life subject when I need to try out a  new piece of camera equipment or film. It never disappoints.]

[equipment: Yashica D TLR + close-up filter)

From Warmer Times

Summer-time, Cross-processed
Yashica D TLR 

March 1, 2010

Baby Photography: Ezra’s HOLIDAY Edition

Today’s edition of Babyyyyyy Photography: It’s Baby Ezra again – aged 7 months!

Location: University of Memphis area

Here’s the story: I saw a mobile phone photo of Ezra sitting next to his family’s Christmas tree. I knew immediately knew that we had to do a mini photo shoot to commemorate Ezra’s first Christmas. Because he is too presh. Too too presh. His parents were on the same page about the matter, and the rest, as they say, is history. We had a mini photo session  in his home, which was so great because I think little ones are sometimes more at ease in familiar surroundings. Plus, Ezra’s mom and dad have great style, so shooting in their home is extra awesome.


This smile? Ezra’s reaction when his daddy came home from running an errand. Love it!

I just love seeing this little family unit interact with each other. I was showing my mother some of these photos, and she said “Ooooh,  you can tell they love that baby so much. That makes me so happy.” I couldn’t agree more!

This might be my favorite shot of the whole afternoon though:

I just think this shot says it all!