Hello! I'm Amy, a camera wielding New England girl who ended up in the Midwest 10 years ago and still feels the need to explain how she ended up here!
photo by cassie schmidt
years since i first picked up a camera
Brian and I married and moved to Madison in 2013 and have been putting down roots ever since! We love being close to family and have cultivated dear friendships here in south-central Wisconsin.
I officially started my business in 2015 and I left my day job in mid 2021. Brian has been an integral part of my business since day 1, so you may not see him at your session but I couldn't do this business without his support. And his willingness to order takeout.
These days I'm fueled by a lunchtime Coca Cola (or two) and edit to the sound of the Harry Potter audio books, which are brilliantly narrated by Jim Dale. (I think I'm a Ravenclaw, but the sorting hat is taking its sweet time with me.)
I won't bore you with my photography journey but I did the math and I've been holding a camera for one reason or another for more than half my life.
After being home educated K-12, I left my small New Hampshire town to attend college in South Carolina in pursuit of a graphic design degree and lifelong singleness. Instead, I came away with an interior design degree and a husband. God does indeed have a sense of humor!
18
FRAMES OR QUILTS hanging on the walls of our 1 bedroom apartment
28
number of website iterations i've had
9ish
years married
10
Why am i telling you all this?
Because connection is key in business and in life. And as an introvert, getting to know people online before I meet them in person is pretty much a dream come true. 😅
the serious stuff - values
I believe in……
THE POWER OF SIGHT TO OPEN EYES
Visual images have profoundly impacted each society that views them. From crude cave drawings recounting history to graphics encouraging enlistment during World War II, images have repeatedly moved hearts and minds. And that power has only increased. Today, large corporations acknowledge the power of the visual by slapping down millions for 30 second TV spots and full page magazine ads. Meanwhile, today’s technology generates visual images in seconds, flooding our world minute after minute, click after click. We can’t stop seeing it all.
THE POWER OF TRUTH TO SET CAPTIVES FREE
What we see matters. From the Instagram selfie begging for affirmation to the heart-rending photograph of a young boy suffering in war, images have different subjects, serve different purposes, and evoke different emotions. One image moves me to give and to love. Another to envy and to despair.
THE POWER OF A MOMENT TO UNCOVER LIFE
This power creates some big responsibilities. Viewers better be careful what and how they see. Artists better be careful too. Visual images do not appear from nowhere. The how and why of each image is determined by the individual who chooses to capture it. That is why I try to bond with my clients on a personal level, to serve my clients in the best way possible, and to capture true love and joy for my clients and their families. These goals help me to achieve my primary goal, which is to use my artistic ability to create images that shine a light on God’s goodness.
THE POWER OF IMAGES TO MOLD MINDS
You see, I’m not just a photographer. I’m a born again Christian. Because God created me, loved me, and has forgiven my many failures through His Son, everything I have is His. Everything I do should be for Him. As a visual artist and a follower of Jesus Christ, I have a responsibility to wield the power I’ve been given to shine a light on God and the masterful beauty of His creation. Because my art is a reflection of what I believe about God, myself, and others, my art must reflect and honor God. Let’s rephrase this obligation using Biblical language (Philippians 4:8 to be precise): Whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, photograph and blog about these things. That’s why I will photograph weddings, to show God’s love between Him and His bride. That’s why I will photograph for churches, to show God’s love at work in community. That’s why I will photograph for pregnancy health clinics, to show God’s love in the sanctity of new life. In all these things, I want to shine a light on God and the beauty of His creation.
THE POWER OF LIGHT TO OVERCOME DARKNESS
Now if there are things that I strive to portray, it stands to reason there are things I can’t portray either. My photographs and words can’t contradict my beliefs. For example, I will not photograph and post items (like a shirt with a marijuana leaf) that normalize drug use. Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). I will not photograph and post for organizations (like Planned Parenthood or the Democratic Party) that promote abortion. "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb." (Psalm 139:13). I will not photograph and post about events (like same-sex wedding ceremonies) that beatify any marriage besides marriage between one man and one woman. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24). While not an exhaustive list, these are some things I can’t portray with my camera or promote with my pen without violating my conscience.
THE POWER OF BEAUTY TO CAPTURE HEARTS
Now many of you may disagree with these beliefs. That’s ok. Our country is better off if we can disagree and still respect each other. I respect the right of each of you to hold and promote different views. That’s why you deserve to know upfront what I’m about and what my photography promotes. That way, you get the best photographs you can. And that is my prayer. That you get true, honest images that shine a light on what’s really worth seeing.
