Exciting news!

My website is up!! You can view it here:

www.amberjohnsonphotog.com

I'm excited to launch it and add one more thing to my business. Things are really taking off and I've got clients lining up. I still love landscape/city scale photography and get to do a lot of that this week. It will be nice to go back to my beginnings.

I've been battling a little demon lately. I've put so much hard work into creating this business and doing something that I love. It's a slap in the face when others don't see what you've put in. 

I will be honest, prior to my first gig, I had no idea how exhausting the photography business could be. I work 55+ hours a week and come home to pour myself into my passion; my dream. Basically, I'm working two full time jobs. I stay up late to finish edits, eyes so dry I can barely see, just to get product back to my client faster. I put the money I do receive back into the business, because those kinds of things aren't handed to me. I work for all I've got. I work to provide for my family. I'm lucky that Mr. Ber has been so supportive. He's really pushed me to follow my dream. 

It's always been hard to accept compliments, kind words, etc; but you know what? I'm really damn good at what I do. That's what matters. I am good at what I do. I feel good about what I do. I make others happy. 

I'm proud of where I've been. I'm proud if where I am. I'm proud of where I'm going. I have an amazing support structure and so many people that believe in what I'm doing. 

This is in my blood. It's what I'm supposed to be doing. 

Tomorrow, we're taking off on a road trip and I get to start my 67 project. I'm so excited!! I can't wait to go and I can't wait to get back and edit. 

I hope you all have a great week!

"It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation." - Herman Melville

Go. Do. Create and enjoy!

I can't believe it's happening!

I feel like I have SO much news to share, but really it's just a couple of things. 

1) Mr. Ber was able to adopt Thomas yesterday!!! It's a long, complicated story, but one that has a happy ending. My son has grown up knowing only one father and now it's legal!

 

2) I started Amber Johnson Photography (AJP) and I'm actually seeing clients!!! I got the chance to have a session with a friend's beautiful daughter this week. 

I'm feeling blessed beyond words! 

Now, it's time to enjoy vacation. Tomorrow is birthday #12 for the oldest!

 

Tis the season!

Wedding season, that is! 

Hola! Como esta? I apologize in advance for the lack of posts. I'm a busy lady. Actually, family, home life, and work have consumed me. Let's catch up a little...

I shot my very first wedding today. I realized that I still have a lot to learn (that's a great thing), I am grossly under paying myself, and that I really love doing it! Now that the wedding is out of the way, I can start editing! 

Here's a rough edit of one of my favorite shots of the day.

Until next time...

Go. Do. Create and enjoy! 

 

Hair-y situations...

I've never been one of those women that made sure to be at the salon every six weeks to freshen my cut. I do mean never. I'm notorious for getting a super cute cut and letting it grow out.

I came from a home that didn't spend a lot, if any, on a haircut. For as long as I can remember, my mom gave us haircuts; my dad gave my mom haircuts; and my dad, well, he used a Flowbee. How many of you remember those?? When I got older, I'd spruce up mom's straight-across-the-bottom style by cutting bangs, but I was a Junior in high school before I visited a salon on my own. Sad, but true.

These days, I don't seem to have the time, money, or want to (honestly) to go to a salon. I cut my husband's and son's hair at home and have had my grandmother or mother-in-law cut my hair.

Tonight, I decided to venture out on my own. Armed with my laptop, YouTube, my shears, and some nerve; I decided to cut my own hair. It took a while, mostly watching video over and over, but I did it! I'm super pleased, too! I will be trying this again.

Just goes to show you can do anything you put your mind to.

New toys!

I got a couple of new "toys" in to play with prior to the April wedding I'm shooting. I can't wait to spend the weekend snapping away!

After we received our bonuses, I decided to go ahead and buy a new lens and a 5-in-1 reflector. I can't wait to use them! I also bought some new fabric scraps to make a cover for my existing camera strap.

Maybe I'm amazed...

Had you told me a year ago people would be asking me to do their pictures, I wouldn't have believed you. Honestly, I was just dreaming of one day owning a DSLR so I could take prettier pictures for myself. I knew I loved photography, but I didn't know how much until I got my camera. Seeing someone's reaction to something I created is pretty awesome. 

 

Now, I'm doing my first wedding in April and have had 5-6 inquiries about sessions. It's all pretty surreal. 

You really can do anything you put your mind to. 

Go. Do. Create and enjoy! 

Photo Shoot

We got to get out today and do a little photo shoot. I am hoping to get another session in tomorrow. Here are a few of my favorites from today.