Every November...I stop. I breathe. I look around, heart fluttering...how did I get here so quickly? I travel a great distance from April to November...rowing constantly, moving forward until Spring exists only as a glimmer on the opposite shore. The gradual slowing of the season and the universal spirit of gratitude prompt me to pause, put down the oars and reflect.
Looking back over this entire year of weddings, engagements and portraiture...it seems as if the images were spirited into existence. How could so much be created in such a short time?
The simple answer is...you.
You brought joy and honesty, tender moments and fits of laughter, spontaneous hugs and knowing glances. You brought gentle kisses and comfort, promises and hope. You brought trust and kindness, friendship, compassion and love.
You spirited these images into existence...called them into being. You opened your hearts and lives to me, you revealed what you love most in the world so that I could document it...and for that I am eternally grateful.
Looking back over this entire year of weddings, engagements and portraiture...it seems as if the images were spirited into existence. How could so much be created in such a short time?
The simple answer is...you.
You brought joy and honesty, tender moments and fits of laughter, spontaneous hugs and knowing glances. You brought gentle kisses and comfort, promises and hope. You brought trust and kindness, friendship, compassion and love.
You spirited these images into existence...called them into being. You opened your hearts and lives to me, you revealed what you love most in the world so that I could document it...and for that I am eternally grateful.
0 comments so far
July 31st marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new journey. On Sunday, Kasey, with Bliss Wedding and Event Design, and I officially moved out of our Short North meeting space. As my hubby and I sat amidst the partially cleared out space, we wondered how the past three years could feel simultaneously long and short. As we moved everything out that afternoon, it felt as if we had just moved in - but then, so much has happened over those three years that I feel like a completely transformed artist and business owner.
It has been a lovely adventure sharing a space with Kasey over the past several years, and I look forward to continuing to grow our friendship and businesses together as we transition into this new journey. Right now Kasey is in the process of setting up a pretty little studio downtown on East Main Street, and I will be meeting out of the new space as soon as it is completed.
As sad as it is leaving the cozy familiarity of our Short North space...I must admit I'm quite delighted about the idea of a fresh start. A new space, new artwork, new inspirations, new adventures...it's going to be lots of fun.
It has been a lovely adventure sharing a space with Kasey over the past several years, and I look forward to continuing to grow our friendship and businesses together as we transition into this new journey. Right now Kasey is in the process of setting up a pretty little studio downtown on East Main Street, and I will be meeting out of the new space as soon as it is completed.
As sad as it is leaving the cozy familiarity of our Short North space...I must admit I'm quite delighted about the idea of a fresh start. A new space, new artwork, new inspirations, new adventures...it's going to be lots of fun.
2 comments so far
Scarlett Kilzer says:
I think you are wise for the move! You guys have a great thing going and I know there is great stuff around the corner;-)
(08.09.11 @ 10:50 AM)
Flowers on Orchard Lane says:
We are so excited to have you and Kasey in the neighborhood - Jan
(08.30.11 @ 10:21 AM)In our life there is a single color, as on an artist's palette,
which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love.
MARC CHAGALL
It isn't often in the world of wedding and portrait photography that I have a moment to thoughtfully consider exactly what I create and why. However, during the past year, I have experienced an intensity of emotion, energy, memories and love - which have subtly influenced my artwork, transformed me in ways that are hard to define and encouraged me to contemplate my journey. Of course, photography as an art form has experienced an equally intense metamorphosis. With each passing year, I welcome the liberation toward creativity, the coalescence of the formerly independent words art and photography, and the unprecedented expressiveness of color.
Right now, in this particular moment...portrait and wedding photography is more uniquely defined by the creative vision of the individual photographer than ever before. As my own artwork quietly evolved into a portfolio of muted, sentimental, intimate imagery...I contemplated my philosophies toward photography and expressive color. I see now that, in my mind, color invokes memory and that photography is the color of love. A softly toned image gently pushes away all other thoughts and lulls the single, remembered moment, dreamlike, to the surface.
These days there are countless talented wedding and portrait photographers, so I feel it is the perfect time for each of us to put down roots in this place, to let our clients know exactly what we create and why. For me, I see that my approach to imagery and color are intrinsically bound to the way I want my clients to experience their most loved memories...in a familiar dream of calm and love. My hope is to offer all my clients heartfelt artwork formed in thoughtfulness, that beautifully suspends a singular moment through peaceful composition and color.
I share this in-depth discussion of my artwork, and the significance of color, for two reasons. First, I want to express a clear vision of the inspiration behind the artwork I create for my clients. And second, I feel it's essential to discuss color, because it is a signature look for my studio and my clients often ask me about my approach and what finished style of images they can expect to receive from me.
Within the past few years, as digital photography has evolved, my clients' wish lists have evolved right alongside changing technology. In that time, I started offering high resolution images to clients, in either standard color or stylized color, and am often asked what the difference is between the two color processes and what it means for them.
If you think of color processing as a two-step process...with standard color as step one, and stylized color as step two - it's easy to distinguish between the two processes. In the first step, I balance images for basic color, brightness and contrast - this is the standard color style you see in your online preview gallery and on the disc of standard color high resolution images. In the second step, I take the images through the final process of custom color-stylizing, skin-polishing, retouching and sharpening - this is the stylized color you see in the prints, books, wall art or stylized high resolution images you order through me, or that you see on my blog, website and Facebook.
Essentially, I view the standard color process as a preview or proof...while the stylized image represents my signature color philosophy and style of artwork. I can't possibly express every single thing I feel about color...how it moves me, inspires me, calms me, urges me to remember. I simply hope, above all else, you can see that this is the color of love.
Within the past few years, as digital photography has evolved, my clients' wish lists have evolved right alongside changing technology. In that time, I started offering high resolution images to clients, in either standard color or stylized color, and am often asked what the difference is between the two color processes and what it means for them.
If you think of color processing as a two-step process...with standard color as step one, and stylized color as step two - it's easy to distinguish between the two processes. In the first step, I balance images for basic color, brightness and contrast - this is the standard color style you see in your online preview gallery and on the disc of standard color high resolution images. In the second step, I take the images through the final process of custom color-stylizing, skin-polishing, retouching and sharpening - this is the stylized color you see in the prints, books, wall art or stylized high resolution images you order through me, or that you see on my blog, website and Facebook.
Essentially, I view the standard color process as a preview or proof...while the stylized image represents my signature color philosophy and style of artwork. I can't possibly express every single thing I feel about color...how it moves me, inspires me, calms me, urges me to remember. I simply hope, above all else, you can see that this is the color of love.
2 comments so far
Ashley says:
Beautiful, and heartfelt. I love it!
(10.27.10 @ 01:40 PM)
David Lile says:
Amy...What an insightful explanation of color and how it relates to our lives and the events of our lives. Beautifully thought out and well done.
(08.06.11 @ 08:44 AM)