Inspired, A Very Special Project | Amy Lucy Photography

This week I bring before you the sweet Amy Lucy of Amy Lucy Photography.  Amy resides in the Twin Cities and judging by her portfolio she has no shortage of gorgeous light and locations to shoot but what strikes me most about her work is her knack for making just about anywhere look like it was destined to be photographed.  Her subjects are real, her images are raw and timeless and her ability to capture those moments you only dream of capturing are unrivaled. She is simply amazing.  I am even more inspired by her heart. She is not only modest and sweet but down to earth and so incredibly kind.  I just adore her. I know you will too!!

You can find her website here and her Pinterest here.

Let’s get this party started!!

Hi Amy!!

You can say “Hi!” to Amy too Here on Facebook.

Let’s get to know you! How would you describe yourself in three sentences?

First and foremost, I am a mother, and I love that job wholeheartedly. I am compassionate, soft-spoken, friendly, kind, and a bit of a perfectionist. I see the beauty in everything around me, can always find many reasons I feel grateful at any given moment, and surround myself with people who are kind-hearted and generous.

 

What sparked your passion for Photography?

My three beautiful children, of course! I was interested in photography since grade school when I had a chance to take and develop my own photos at a school day camp. Even though I wanted to take photography classes in high school and college, it just never worked out in my schedule. I wish I had found photography earlier in my life, but I am grateful I didn’t find it any later than I did. I could never have enough photos of my kids and I have so much fun photographing them.

What is in your camera bag?

Nikon D90, 50 1.4G, 35 1.4G, 105 2.8 macro, Sigma 30 1.4, and an SB800.

 

What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?

My first DSLR was (surprise!) the Nikon D90 I’m still using today. I started with a kit lens and a 50 1.8 and once I was hooked, I started acquiring more lenses. I am a firm believer that it’s the photographer that makes the image, not the camera. I’ve gotten every ounce out my trusty D90 and am looking forward to a new Nikon full frame sometime this year. 😉

 

If you could only use one lens an entire session which one would you choose and why?

Probably the 35 1.4G because it’s sharp, quick to focus, and it gives me a bit more room since I’m still on a cropped sensor.

 

What advice would you give to someone just beginning in photography and hoping to have a business of their own?

Find yourself before jumping into business. Find what you love and how you want to do it. Be true to yourself and shoot what moves you. Before you invest your time and energy in setting up a business, invest in learning everything you can about the art of photography.

 

What was your first official Photographer crush if you had one?

The first photographer who captivated me was Elliott Erwitt. He was an amazing storyteller and documentarian, and he was masterful at incorporating humor into his work as well. There really are so many amazing photographers that inspire me and the funny thing is that they all have such varied styles. I love that when I look at the work of a single photographer, I am experiencing the world through their eyes. That is fascinating to me.

What kind of photos do you like to take for just yourself when not working with clients?

More than anything else, I adore capturing the everyday moments of my children. I also have a lot of fun doing simple, vintage-inspired shoots with my own kids. Those are the times when I feel I have the most creative energy and there is no pressure – it’s all just honest-to-goodness fun.

 

If you could photograph absolutely anyone who would it be dead or alive?

I would photograph my grandmother. She died when she was just 21 and I’d love to have some photos of her that show us who she truly was.

 

Describe your style in 3 words.

Hmmmm…..the impossible three words…. I think I’m going to have to go with joyful, honest, and soulful.

 

Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?

Knock on wood…nothing awful has happened yet, but I’ll admit that this question has had me thinking about what may have happened that I didn’t even know about….

Any challenges you have had to overcome to be where you are today?

I think just balancing everything is challenging. I want to be the best mom I can be and sometimes feel guilty when I spend too much time on photography. My kids and family will always come first.

 

Favorite time of day to shoot is?

I love to shoot in the evening golden hour.

 

If you had to stop taking photos right now, what would you do instead?

I would probably spend more time with my children, more time volunteering, and probably be employed in the field of Environmental Health (after all the kids are in school).

 

Have you attended college or had any formal education in Photography?

I have a Master’s Degree in Environmental Health Science, and that background in science has allowed the technical aspects of photography to come easily to me. I have taken several photography and Photoshop workshops/classes.

 

What do you do to get your clients to relax with you?

I just try to be as relaxed as possible in front of them. I make small talk, get to know them, and just have fun with the session. I think if I’m laid back, my clients will feed off of that energy and they will have fun and relax as well.

 

What are your photography related goals for 2012?

I want to keep growing, learning, and having new experiences. The world of photography is so incredibly vast and there are so many things worth photographing. I feel like I’ve only skimmed the surface. I know this photography journey will take me to new places, allow me to meet new people, and will continue to push me to see the world around me in a whole new way.

 

How do you push yourself to keep growing and learning? Any Big Aha! moments?

I am constantly observing and seeing things around me, and thinking about how what I am seeing is making me feel. I look for beautiful and dramatic light, interesting shapes and forms, fleeting expressions, complementary colors, amazing catchlights, and unique and memorable places. Photography has allowed me to see the world in a completely different way. When I really slow down and take things in, I realize that things I may have never noticed before can actually cause an emotional response. Even if I was never able to take another photograph, how I view the world around me has changed. What a tremendous gift! For that I am eternally grateful.

 

Biggest Photography related insecurity?

Photography is so personal and seeing someone’s images really tells you a lot about that person. That vulnerability can be frightening, but also liberating.

Digital or Prints?

Both digital and prints.

Fun stuff:

Favorite Color: Aqua

Favorite Season: Summer

Biggest Guilty Pleasure: Visiting estate sales, antique shows, and flea markets to search for unique treasures

Pet Peeve: When people lack compassion and empathy

Favorite Pandora Station: What’s Pandora? Just kidding. I’ve actually never listened to it.

Studio or On location: On location

What did you want to be when you grew up? Olympic Volleyball player, Marine Mammalogist, Supreme Court Justice, and a Mom

One thing no one knows about you is: There was a period of time growing up when I was so tired of my red hair, that I thought it would be a good idea to dye it black. Thank goodness I never went through with it!

Pc or Mac: PC

Lightroom or Photoshop: Photoshop

Film or Digital: Digital

Props or No Props: Usually no props, but sometimes I’ve got to throw something fun in there. 😉

If you could travel anywhere it would be: Anywhere where I can find warm sun, sandy beaches, palm trees, and seclusion.

Glass Half Empty or Half Full: Always half full

Favorite photo ever taken: I’m going to go with a recent one of my son. I love it because it is so simple, all the excess is stripped away and what you are left with, especially for me as his mother, is purely magical.

Raw or Jpeg: Raw

Favorite Music to Edit to: Lately I’ve been stuck on Yael Naim, Feist, and Ingrid Michaelson.

Favorite Quote: I love to collect quotes and have so many favorites, but I recently found this one and it seems to fit perfectly right now: “Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music – the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.” Henry Miller

Most valued material possession: My box of keepsakes from when my kids were babies.

Processing Style: A little bit of “clean and simple” and a lot of “whatever I feel like at that moment”

Coffee or Tea: Water

If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be? Jane Goodall

What kind of Camera bag do you rock? Kelly Moore. I have a Ketti on my wish list.