I bumped into a client and friend at an elementary school carnival. Honestly, I didn’t even want to go. (It was windy). We chatted as our boys jumped in the bounce house, and she mentioned needing a headshot photographer for their staff in both their New York and Dallas Fort Worth offices. I don’t know what came over me, but before I could even ask questions or think it through, I said, “I’ll go.”

I soon learned that they wanted a clean, modern style where the eyes are the focus. While they wanted to appear friendly and approachable, they wanted to convey credibility and professionalism. 

When I do corporate headshots on site at your business, I tether my camera to the computer for viewing and feedback in real-time. People are amazed at how they look in front of this incredibly flattering lighting and with my precise direction. One of the senior executives said, “I’ve never had a photographer teach me that until now.” I felt both sad and validated. Sad because I bet he’s taken at least ten headshots in his career, and he didn’t love any of them. Validated because I have studied with world renowned headshot photographers, and my background in education and trauma has helped me understand how to provide people with the resources to look comfortable and at ease in their images. 

No deer in headlights looks in my portfolio, please. 

I will not shoot from above. I know that’s the style for some who want to look smaller in the frame. I believe it diminishes your power. You are the hero in your headshot, so I’m going to photograph you as such. But, never fear, I won’t shoot up your nostrils. You’re going to have an incredible jawline. When you see your image, you’ll say, “Wow, I’ve never liked photos of myself until now.”

And, when other people see the portrait, they’ll be drawn to you. A powerful portrait is magnetic like that. If you need cohesive corporate headshots for your company or staff, send me an email, and I’m happy to provide a quote and a custom look to suit your unique photo needs. 

I met this mom originally when we completed our Masters degrees in Counseling at TCU. She’s gone on to do incredible work with students in recovery from addiction at TCU. And, well, other than a 7-year-stint as a yoga instructor, I’ve gone on to do lots of photography. It sounds kinda sad when you say it like that, but I love what I do. I love love love picking up my camera each day. As I type this, I’m looking at a grid of nine photos of my son from 0-1 on the wall by our breakfast table, and these photos bring me joy every. single. day. Five minutes ago, I had my taxes out on this table because I’m in the midst of becoming licensed to adopt again, which is (understandably) so much paperwork, and I was eating peanut butter by the spoon and feeling a little anxious about the sheer uncertainty that is required of being human and mother and  business owner in this 2021 time. And, then I sat down and saw the photos and ahhh, I can breathe. So, I believe photos matter. I believe my little photography businesses makes ripples in the lives of individuals and organizations in this community who make waves in this world. 

I digress…I do that in my blog because well, it’s my blog and I have to get all of the SEO terms in here so that someone can say, “I found you on Google.” That only took about ten years. Think of this blog like one of those recipe bloggers where you scroll down for the recipe…scroll down to see the photos. You’re getting closer. 

I honestly can’t remember the year we graduated. In my quest to adopt a baby, I’m searching for my diploma, but I think it’s in the attic. I’ve never been a hang-your-diploma-look-at-all-the-letters-after-my-name kind of person. I’d guess it was around 2012, that we graduated. I did not confer with her on the details of this blog. She is a new mom, and if you’ve ever been one, you know how that goes. She doesn’t know what day it is right now. I don’t want to bother her with the details. And, well, that new baby fatigue is the reason to hire a newborn photographer. Because, you’re not going to remember much about the details of those initial days. 

Anyway, it’s safe to say we’ve walked parallel and intersecting paths for the past ten years, and it’s always beautiful to see someone find love and embrace marriage and motherhood, so I was thrilled to meet her husband and baby at this session. In my newborn guide, I outline ideas of what to wear and explain that light colors reflect light and dark clothing absorbs light. They opted for light colors and neutrals, which is always a great idea if you ask me, and it’s one of the questions that people ask me over and over again. What to wear. I have a guide and a Pinterest board for nearly every type of session, but it’s simple: wear something that fits and moves and has some texture and is a color that complements your skin tone. I know, I know. I said “simple” and that’s not synonymous with easy. So many people text me images of their clothes lying on the bed. Women come in with hanging garment bags for headshots and we play dress up. 

One of the (other) questions people ask is whether I prefer to do newborn sessions at home or in the studio. I outline the answer HERE in my guide. In people’s homes, I generally choose 2 or 3 places in the home to do the photographs. I select these places based on what will achieve the minimalist, timeless aesthetic I prefer in my portraits and the quality of light. Sometimes people say, “My home is not bright,” and honestly, when you send me your address, based on the zip code and neighborhood, I generally know what kind of light it will have. Ridgmar, Wedgwood, Monticello and Tanglewood (look at me with my SEO neighborhoods haha) will be one-story homes with low ceilings and some plantation shutters or blinds. Same for Keller. Occasionally, I photograph a baby in Mira Vista or outside the loop in Grapevine or Southlake in a vast light-filled home with floor to ceiling windows. (Ok, I think you get the idea, internets— I offer newborn photography all over the DFW metroplex.) 

And, for the first 5 years of my career, I had no choice really other than to crank my ISO up to 1600 and 3200 and turn my aperture super low. Or, to plaster the entire family up against a window and send up a prayer and shoot some film. And, to be clear, there’s nothing wrong with that, if that’s your strategy. Modern cameras can go up to like 5000 ISO, and many DFW photographers have successful businesses as natural light photographers. Over the past four years though, I’ve begun to embrace adding studio grade lighting at in-home sessions. And here’s why: it looks more natural than the available light you have. That, and, well, you just had a baby. You are tired. And, you deserve the best quality of soft, forgiving light. So these days, I’m using a couple of Profoto off camera flashes with modifiers which mimic window light, and I love the results. 

 Ok, you made it. The photos are next. 

pro tip: invite your mom to the newborn session. let her be an extra set of hands.

those hangnails :)

untrendy opinion: I always like to get a photo of people looking at the camera for the grandparents and generations who won’t understand lifestyle portraits.

that hair :)

This is the photo that your parents want and your spouse wants and your child will one day want, so I always take this photo because I believe moms need to be seen and celebrated.

If you’re expecting a baby and would be interested in me coming to your home to photograph your family, I’d love to help. Send me an email or you can book online HERE. Choose a time around 10 am in the morning on a week day, which is when I prefer to photograph newborns when possible. 

Several months ago, a woman came into my studio for a headshot, and she was confused that I was Amber. She thought I’d be the woman on the home page, who is actually Debra Barrett. I love Debra and basically everything she touches. She helped design my own living room. I call her all the time when I need a recommendation for a contractor for a home repair. I’ve watched and photographed several of her homes, and each time I think “This one is my favorite” only to be stunned at how beautiful the next is. Recently, we actually bumped into her and her husband, Dan, on an impromptu trip to New Orleans. And, of course, we had a fabulous dinner together. 

I’ve watched over the past few years as she’s built a strong brand as a realtor who also helps you stage and style your home. “I want you to love where you live” is her tagline, and as mentioned, I love it. I’m always excited to photograph her design work, and one day, I think she’ll purchase, remodel, and design a westside house that I’ll buy from her because I don’t have patience or a vision for all of that. I want it to be move-in-ready. Leave the furniture and drapes and everything. I’ll bring my toddler and two dogs and hope for the best with the fabrics. We really can only have nice things for about as long as this house will last in this crazy market.