Meet Amy...
THE WOMAN BEHIND THE CAMERA
Artist Bio...
In 2011, Amy's husband gave her a Nikon as a Christmas present and a seat in a beginner's course in photography where she learned photography is "painting with light". That sparked a new passion that still grows stronger by the day.
As a landscape and nature photographer, Amy has a keen eye for spotting beauty around her, sometimes in the things others miss in a busy life.
She is fascinated by the energy of ocean waves, loves to chase sunsets, and has a knack for spotting and capturing exquisite light. She has a love for wildlife and a heart for conservation.
A 6th generation native of California, she has photographed many iconic places and hidden gems, especially near her home in the Monterey Bay area. Through her photos, Amy hopes to inspire the same awe she feels on location and invites you into her "happy place" and stand next to her while she witnesses and captures God's wonders one moment at a time. In her words, "I want people to be able to feel transported into my photos for a momentary pause and feel the peace and appreciation I feel in the moments I capture".
As a portrait photographer, Amy has a discerning gift to see the beauty in each person the same way she finds it in nature. Her clients quickly feel comfortable with her easy-going personality and fun sense of humor. Fun fact about Amy: she worked as a professional children's entertainer. That means she did character performances, and magic and made balloons animals along with other fun stuff! So not only can she find the beauty, but she naturally pulls smiles out of people's hearts.
Amy is a lifelong artist. Her mother once said, "She was born with a paintbrush in her hand". She is fluent in many artistic mediums including china painting, mural painting, cake decorating, and sewing, and had a 20-year career in the face and body painting industry as an artist and instructor both in Southern California and in the Central Coast/Bay Area. While Amy still loves to paint, she now mostly wields a camera to pour out her inspiration. Her painting background has influenced her photography style towards painterly.
When Amy isn't taking photos she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter along with her cats, pet bunny, and gardening.
A note from Amy...
Art has always been part of my life.
As just a young girl I realized that it was a gift to see things in unique ways and render them in the form of art. God has given me an eye for beauty, a creative mind & and an adventurous spirit.
Communicating through my camera has become part of my very eclectic career as an artist. I rarely leave home without my camera, fearing I will miss something awe-inspiring or an opportunity to just document an ordinary miracle. ( the FOMO is real! )
I'm a sunset chaser, a wave watcher & a wonder seeker.
Photography has enabled me to connect with people through images and to understand and document life in an evocative way. Sometimes these are beautiful images and sometimes they are dramatic but they always tell a story. I enjoy creating unique, one-of-a-kind portraits that are both timeless and authentic. Occasionally I love to add some whimsey. I also enjoy capturing the exquisite beauty of God’s creation, whether it be landscapes or wildlife.
Working with me...
I'm a mix of professionalism and fun. I don't take myself too seriously and I'm not above being a goofball to break the barrier. My clients will tell you sessions with me are fun and relaxed. If you are awkward being photographed, guess what? I'm your soul sibling. I get it. There is a reason I'm behind the camera. But, I guide you every step of the way. I see you in a way that you can't see yourself.
If you are a natural in front of the camera I let you channel your inner Derek Zoolander and work that "Blue Steel" (Speaking of Zoolander, I love screwball comedies and can have a whole conversation with comedy movie quotes and whole text threads with gifs.)
While the sessions can be fun and games, I strive for the utmost professionalism in our relationship from start to finish. My focus is to give you an awesome experience and photographs that will feel priceless to you. (if you caught the pun, we are meant to be friends!)
IT IS SIMPLE AND BOILS DOWN TO THESE 3 THINGS....
My "Why"
1. God. Yes, I'm a grateful believer. What keeps me going are extraordinary & ordinary miracles. I keep my focus on blessings around me in the form of beauty in people, places, and things in and around my life and counting them one shutter click at a time.
2. These two.
They are my world, my husband, and my daughter.
3. Art. I'm simply not me if I'm not creating. Nothing makes me happier than witnessing what my work evokes in the beholder, especially if I have created something just for them.
Picasso said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” I believe that to be true for the artist as well as the beholder.
Come Sunset Chasing With Me...
No matter if I'm taking portraits or nature photos my favorite time of day to do it is the hour the sun is setting. Sometimes we are surprised with vibrant colors, a perfect backdrop for magical images! Watch this video, and see why!
"Sunset is still my favorite color, and rainbow is second." -Mattie Stepanek
Publications & Press
 SKIN MAGAZINEA combination of my artistic mediums, photography and body painting! |  SKIN MAGAZINEA combination of my artistic mediums, photography and body painting! |  MY FIRST PUBLICATION 2013 |
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 IN THE NEWS!IN THE NEWS! |  IN THE NEWS!IN THE NEWS! |  IN THE NEWS!IN THE NEWS! |
 ELKHORN SLOUGH 2017 CALENDARProceeds for this calendar supported the Elkhorn Slough. The Slough is a special place to me, I live close by and its conservation is very important to me. |  ELKHORN SLOUGH 2017 CALENDARProceeds for this calendar supported the Elkhorn Slough. The Slough is a special place to me, I live close by and its conservation is very important to me. |  SEE MONTEREY "PHOTO OF THE WEEK"a Photography _Press and Publications (8)Featured in local tourism magazine and guide blog. |
 SEE MONTEREY "PHOTO OF THE WEEK"Featured in local tourism magazine and guide blog. |  SEE MONTEREY "PHOTO OF THE WEEK"Featured in local tourism magazine and guide blog. |  Winner of Images With Stories Inspirational Photography contest interview and blog post.Winner of Images With Stories Inspirational Photography contest interview and blog post. |
 FIRST FRIDAY SANTA CRUZ INSTAGRAM TAKE OVERhad the honor of being invited to participate in Santa Cruz First Friday's Instagram take-over! Click the link below to see my Instagram live presentation. |  FIRST FRIDAY SANTA CRUZ INSTAGRAM TAKE OVERhad the honor of being invited to participate in Santa Cruz First Friday's Instagram take-over! Click the link below to see my Instagram live presentation. |  FIRST FRIDAY SANTA CRUZ INSTAGRAM TAKE OVERhad the honor of being invited to participate in Santa Cruz First Friday's Instagram take-over! Click the link below to see my Instagram live presentation. |
 FIRST FRIDAY SANTA CRUZ INSTAGRAM TAKE OVERhad the honor of being invited to participate in Santa Cruz First Friday's Instagram take-over! Click the link below to see my Instagram live presentation. |  BEAUTIFUL WORLD MAGAZINE GUEST ARTIST SPREADdina Photography _Press and Publications (2)Showcasing the work of artists and photographers using digital tools and tutorials created by Jessica Drossin. |  BEAUTIFUL WORLD MAGAZINE GUEST ARTIST SPREADdina Photography _Press and Publications (2)Showcasing the work of artists and photographers using digital tools and tutorials created by Jessica Drossin. |
 SEA OTTER SAVVYSea Otters are one of my favorite little animals. I'm an advocate for their protection as they are an apex predator and most people don't know what an important role they play in our marine ecosystems and the health of kelp forests. I'm honored to be a photographic contributor for Sea Otter Savvy. This is an article about the effects of Sea Otters from the unhealthful air caused by California Wildfires |  PUBLISHED! CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS' MAGAZINE |  PUBLISHED! CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS' MAGAZINE |
 SANTA CRUZ MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY "VISION 2020"EXHIBITAs a Community, Santa Cruz County residents found healing and solace in nature throughout 2020, but always with the stark reminder that natural phenomena can completely alter our ways of life. The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is offering a new Virtual Photography Exhibit featuring sixty-two Santa Cruz County residents and nearly one-hundred images and stories exploring how our community has captured and reflected upon this unique year. All of the images included in this exceptional exhib |  SANTA CRUZ MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY "VISION 2020"EXHIBITAs a Community, Santa Cruz County residents found healing and solace in nature throughout 2020, but always with the stark reminder that natural phenomena can completely alter our ways of life. The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is offering a new Virtual Photography Exhibit featuring sixty-two Santa Cruz County residents and nearly one-hundred images and stories exploring how our community has captured and reflected upon this unique year. All of the images included in this exceptional exhib |  SANTA CRUZ MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY "VISION 2020"EXHIBITAs a Community, Santa Cruz County residents found healing and solace in nature throughout 2020, but always with the stark reminder that natural phenomena can completely alter our ways of life. The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is offering a new Virtual Photography Exhibit featuring sixty-two Santa Cruz County residents and nearly one-hundred images and stories exploring how our community has captured and reflected upon this unique year. All of the images included in this exceptional exhib |
 SANTA CRUZ MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY "VISION 2020"EXHIBITAs a Community, Santa Cruz County residents found healing and solace in nature throughout 2020, but always with the stark reminder that natural phenomena can completely alter our ways of life. The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is offering a new Virtual Photography Exhibit featuring sixty-two Santa Cruz County residents and nearly one-hundred images and stories exploring how our community has captured and reflected upon this unique year. All of the images included in this exceptional exhib |  SANTA CRUZ MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY "VISION 2020"EXHIBITAs a Community, Santa Cruz County residents found healing and solace in nature throughout 2020, but always with the stark reminder that natural phenomena can completely alter our ways of life. The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is offering a new Virtual Photography Exhibit featuring sixty-two Santa Cruz County residents and nearly one-hundred images and stories exploring how our community has captured and reflected upon this unique year. All of the images included in this exceptional exhib |  SANTA CRUZ THINK LOCAL FIRST 2021-23 GUIDESMy work was chosen for the cover art for the Think Local 2021-23 Guide! This guide is displayed in businesses around Santa Cruz County. |
 SANTA CRUZ THINK LOCAL FIRST 2021-23 GUIDESMy work was chosen for the cover art for the Think Local 2021-23 Guide! This guide is displayed in businesses around Santa Cruz County. |  CHASING MAGIC- A CELEBRATION OF WOMEN NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERSAbout the Book- A collaborative coffee table book with images captured by 136 female nature photographers from around the globe. From the online community of Women Capture Magic, Chasing Magic is a celebration of women photographers seeking to create meaningful photographs in the landscape, nature, macro, and astrophotography genres. |  CHASING MAGIC- A CELEBRATION OF WOMEN NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERSAbout the Book- A collaborative coffee table book with images captured by 136 female nature photographers from around the globe. From the online community of Women Capture Magic, Chasing Magic is a celebration of women photographers seeking to create meaningful photographs in the landscape, nature, macro, and astrophotography genres. |
Nature First - Leave No Trace
AS NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS- we all have an increasing responsibility to be good stewards of the places we visit, photograph and share with the public. As photography continues to increase in popularity due to social media damage to special wild places accumulates. Efforts must be taken to reverse these negative impacts through education and sharing tangible steps to reduce our collective impact.
I’m a proud member of Nature First: The Alliance for Responsible Nature Photography and I’m dedicated to following the Nature First Principles:
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Prioritize the well-being of nature over photography.
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Educate yourself about the places you photograph.
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Reflect on the possible impact of your actions.
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Use discretion if sharing locations.
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Know and follow rules and regulations.
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Always follow Leave No Trace principles and strive to leave places better than you found them.
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Actively promote and educate others about these principles.
