Santa Barbara Family & Child Photographer

What Drives My Photography

Hi there!  I’m Amanda, a Santa Barbara family & child photographer, and I love taking pictures of people.

Us photographers all have a reason and purpose that drives our photography, and today I’d like to share with you my “why”.

I am driven by my natural inclination to observe. I pay close attention to many details other may miss and am completely driven to photograph people candidly, in beautiful light.  Whether that be a glance that is gone quickly, a sparkle in the eye, or a genuine smile, I am forever searching for a new subject to take a great portrait of in just the right light.

My favorite is to photograph people interacting with their loved ones. It’s one of the things that makes family photography so much fun. Once a family has had time to settle in and let their guard down, I get to observe everyone interacting and end up with some beautiful images and memories.

This is also why I love to photograph children! They cannot help but be candid, inquisitive, and true to themselves. It is their nature. I love watching children and figuring out what makes them tick. It’s amazing to me that these tiny humans have a little personality and spirit that is unique and all their own.

My photography is equally driven by beautiful light. If I see a rich, golden, sunset, the first thing I want to do is grab my camera and find someone to photograph. I wholeheartedly agree with the quote by Trent Parke, “I am forever chasing light. Light turns the ordinary into the magical.”

Lastly, I’m driven by the desire to document tiny details and memories that are gone in an instant.  Children grow and change so quickly, and if you don’t document it, then it’s gone forever.  I’m honored to be able to artistically capture growing families through my photography.  And then work with them to create heirloom products that last generations.

So the next time you see a blog post I’ve written or a photograph that I have taken, now you know what drives me. I simply love to take a great portrait of the people around me, ideally at sunset.

xoxo

Amanda