Amy Doerring Photography

My Big Comfy Couch

admin — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:02:05 +0000

My first job out of college was for a Big Eight public accounting firm. My ‘job’ was to help automate client’s accounting tasks and to teach our clients how to use computers. The first Compaq computer I used was as big as a hard sided Samsonite suitcase. You would lay them down and open up the bottom for the keyboard and screen. They had the 5 inch floppy disks and used good old DOS. Not really part of my couch story but shows how long I’ve been using computers : ( So that was my job but I got in trouble alot for one thing. Talking. I should really say listening and talking. I would listen to anyone and I did alot. I don’t know why but people would always talk to me. Tell me their stuff good and bad. HR person CH didn’t like it. Probably just didn’t like me. Funny thing is if she just thought about it for a minute, she’d realize those people needed to talk. Maybe after talking to me, they could get back to work. Hey, I’ll bet I helped productivity and chargable hours.

Below is a picture of my big comfy couch. Alot of talking takes place on my big comfy couch. Sometimes crying happens on my big comfy couch. Never do I get in trouble for talking on my big comfy couch. It is funny how something seen as so negative one place can be one of the best things at another. I love the relationships I have with my clients, many deepened on my big comfy couch.

I love driving by my house at night when the lamps are on pulling the eyes right to my couch. It is sitting there, just waiting for the next converstation and loving its position at Amy Doerring Photography. Come sit the next time you are here!

It is funny, CH from above has a very public position in Des Moines politics. I get to see her often on the news and it makes me just smile. I’m so glad I am where I am today, maybe she makes me appreciate it even more.

Find a job where who you are is an asset not a liability. Thank you God for that gift!!!

Pray for hope….Surgery Thurs at 1:00pm CT

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:04:51 +0000

My dear buddy 12 year brain tumor survivor david m. bailey is at Duke awaiting a craniotomy. A craniotomy is a sugical operation in which part of the skull, called a bone flap, is removed in order to access the brain. He was experiencing some difficulties and had an MRI today. My heart sank when my phone was buzzing with a david text and the email subject said ‘back to duke’. Thud.

So I’m asking you to pray for my buddy. Pray for his wife and children who are all at Duke with him. Pray for his surgeons (the same he has had before and who took care of Ted Kennedy). Pray for hope. david is the symbol of hope for every new brain tumor (and other cancers really) patient. I have had many people tell me they would have never made it through a diagnosis without his music, his words and his signs of hope. A perfect example - my sweet southern voice Denise whose son Zachary is also a survivor. http://www.onemoredayforangels.com/

I met david in 2001 after I saw him on 48 Hours and hired him to sing at Maytag. Here we are that day in this terribly scanned picture.

david get better fast - you have much to do!

Clownin’ Around

admin — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:05:51 +0000

So I’m not a clown photographer but sometimes I’ll try anything!

Former Ringling Circus clown Sean Carlock juggled in my studio today. I think he is for hire : ) www.carlockent.com

You know what was funny to me? I did his business head shot and then the clown costume. He was a totally different person with the costume on. He was performing and I could tell it was way more comfortable for him. My camera is sometimes by big red nose. I understood.

A great day!

admin — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 08:38:48 +0000

In an effort to get in as much as I could before it got cold, I organized a multi family group shoot afternoon. It is usually just one family one day so it was a bit of a ‘rush’ in many ways. The groups were all from my church First Presbyterian and had tween age kids. I had a blast and hope they did too! We did some fun family things too but I don’t want to spoil the Christmas cards!!!

Thanks for hanging out guys!!!

Yes, really

admin — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 04:46:06 +0000

One more of Harley, I mean Henry. Yes, this post is really about the baby. I had someone ask me if that daddy was really in my studio. I’m laughing thinking there is no way I could make him up.

Yes, really Henry does have a mommy too. I adore you Stacey! You make great babies!

I’m so proud!

admin — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:41:03 +0000

Last night I was working away and listening to the KCCI 10:00 news. I knew that a couple of my senior girls were playing in the Iowa state volleyball playoffs. My ears perked up when they were talking about Johnston and their win. I could see the blond braids of my senior Kari then they mention her name. I smiled. The next game they were talking about the Ankeny team and then started talking about my senior Elizabeth. I smiled again. How could I have two girls names mentioned in one segment? Think of how many girls played at the tournament. I was just so excited for both of them. Two very nice girls, two very smart girls and two excellent volleyball players!

Way to go Kari and Elizabeth. I hope you meet each other in the finals but I’ll plug my ears so I don’t know who wins.

He sleeps…..

admin — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:48:07 +0000

Meet Mr M. He has sweet full lips like his mommy, great hair with the making of a cowlick in the middle of his forehead like his daddy, cute little muscles, sweet little nursing blister on his upper lip and the ability to stay awake for far longer than he ever had! Mom and Dad made great efforts to see me, closing their practice for a day and driving from Iowa City. Thanks guys, I enjoyed all the time we got to chat and you answering all my questions! (Love being around drs!!).

The final results - a perfect sleeping cozy baby. He was worth it!

All I want for Christmas….

admin — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:32:42 +0000

All I want is time, really. I’m sure Little Miss Jerrica below would like her teeth although I think she looks pretty darn cute without them.

If you have people asking you what you want for Christmas, I have two ideas.

For the client I have photographed - Did you order but didn’t get everything you wanted? Give the gift giver my phone # or website and have them contact me. Tell them the picture number and size and I’ll make your Christmas day! I’ll even put a surpise or two in the box!

I also have gift certificates for any dollar amounts, session fees etc.

That sounds way more ’salesy’ than I ever am but I’m trying to come up with gift ideas for people to give me and I know how hard that is. : )

She melted me!

admin — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:34:53 +0000

I’ve been photographing Miss C since she was born. She and her family came from Iowa City for their shoot on a Sunday earlier this fall. She got right out of the van and told me her forehead hurt. We all didn’t think anything of it and went to our shoot location. We decided to go to a new place and inbetween she lost it in the van. Poor parents, siblings, poor Miss C. She really didn’t feel well. I needed to be in Iowa City for a football game a week later so we decided to try again. Miss C got right out of the van this time, ran to me and said ‘Amy I’m all better’. The tone of her voice, the look on her face, the happiness is her step just melted me. I adore her.

Miss Israel (stinker)

admin — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:46:08 +0000

We tried so hard but Miss Israel didn’t want a whole lot of me today. The worst part for her, she will get to do it again. The best part for me, I’ll get to do it again! Sorry Israel, you are stuck with me!