Hey. I'm Amy.

You've clicked over here bc you want to know something about me, and while I'd love for you to know me, sitting at the keyboard with the intention of writing things here to help you to feel like you know me goes something like this in my head:

....HMMMMMM.... what to say what to say what to say what to say what. to. say..... writing about yourself is so silly.....this feels unnatural every time I have to do it.... this must be what writing your own obituary would feel like... Oh em gee please don't let them use this as my obituary.... they'll probably use this, Amy, of course they will, and they'll use that really epic picture of you when you got that regrettable pixie cut and waxed off all your eyebrows in 2001, you KNOW they will. They'll print it out like 80x90 and prop it up right there on the casket. OK! Think about something else besides your own funeral, Amy, you're supposed to be writing and impressing people with your Amy-ness while coming across as non-braggy and you're super failing.... for real, AMY. Get on track. Tell them you like Disney trips maybe. Mention plants. Be funny, but don't try to be funny and obviously DON'T BE TOO WEIRD.... oh snap, they'll probably use that weird part in my obituary...... STOP. making. this. about. your. funeral......OKAY! Here we go, Amy, get back on track..... wait... did I say the thing about the plants before I said something about my kids and husband? HOLY HELL where your priorities, AMY?!?!?! You mentioned plants before your kids! They'll think you're a bad mother, probably.... and then they'll put THAT in your obituary. OH MY LAW... forget. this. mess.

[FRUSTRATEDLY BREAKS FOR COFFEE]

Questions you might have that I totally made up:

Yo, you're back? What up with that? Pretty sure you quit and opened a boutique, and to be honest, I'm pretty confused.: Wow, first off, let me say, great question thanks so much. Thing is, I AM back, and I DID quit to open a boutique for a while. Flamingo Grove. So, story time... Be me, 7 years into a photography career, somehow thinking I needed to book every inquiry that came my way, totally camera drained, two tiny kiddos, passion on the fritz, completely overwhelmed. The feeling I get, as I call it, is the feeling of DONE. Like... I'm just 100% done here. Sold the camera, walked away, and right when I did, new doors were magically opening, and I ended up getting to do the boutique owner thing for 5 years. LOVED what I built at Flamingo Grove, but, as happens with me, I just ended up with this overwhelming feeling of DONE. And, as it also goes, new doors were magically opening for me to be able to hop right back into the swing of things as Amy Blackburn, photographer. My absolute joy has been having my camera back in my hands, hanging out with cool people, capturing the life in their eyes, and somehow taking the feeling of the moment and trapping it inside a photograph. That's everything. Well... I mean, for now. I feel pretty DONE every 7 years or so, so, hop on this ABPhoto train before it leaves the station again. :)
Can you shoot my family in outfits that everyone hates and can you to edit my husband to not look dumb and me way skinnier and also photoshop out all the kids faces and switch them with better kids.: UM... I'll have too check, but, I think I'm booked that day. HA!

Seriously though, I'd love to shoot you, as you are. I'd love to shoot your kids, as they are. I'd love to capture your life, as it is, in this very moment. Because this moment is beautiful. And your stupid husband...? He would show up to that horrific session you've described dressed in that itchy ass shirt you bought him (he really does hate it), because he loves you. And the extra pounds you're carrying? They're yummy fun dinners out with that stupid husband and fast food because you're a busy mom. That's the signs of a blessed life. I get it. And, I am here to help. Please, let your husband wear that shirt, the one you can't stand because he. wears. it. to. everything. The kids? Same for them. Let them dress themselves in their favorite duds, something that they love. Something that shows who they really were, in this moment, today. Let their little lights shine. And, Mom, I've got you covered. Wear what you love, too! Wear that top you get so many compliments in, and leave the rest to me. I promise I know how to capture your beauty.

We live our lives as ourselves. Let's be that in our photos, too.
I want my photos to look the opposite of my real life so that I can impress my Insta followers. Do you have a filter for that?: *Exhales, loudly*

I shot my first wedding in 2005 before there was Instagram, on film. YES. FILM. and yes, BEFORE there was Instagram! (Shocked at my own life right now, y'all) Back then, there was no back-up. No "fix it in photoshop," just you, the moments, and your talent with your camera. So, trendy filters? Heavy editing? Not here. Just me, capturing the truth and beauty of your life, right now in this moment. The colors, the view, the story, as seen and told by me and my lens. Just like in the good 'ol days... (dear sweet baby hayseuss that phrase alone proves I'm old)
What is your turnaround time? I was hoping to have them back the day before we took them.: Your proofs will be available for viewing and downloading in our gallery within 5 business days for sessions and 4 weeks for weddings. Sorry we couldn't have them ready before we actually shot them.
So, what will we do at our session?: We'll chat, and we'll come up with something just for you.
Do you travel?: Please, and thank you.
What is Fresh 48? Do I have to be having a baby to do this?: 1. Baby required, yes.

2. Fresh 48 is me & my camera with you & your baby within 48 hours of its birth. Message me.
"Maybe you've gotten too big for your britches?": Throwback to 9 years ago: That question is a thing that was said about me when I wanted to decline a session doing posed newborn studio-style photos not only because I hated doing it, but I honestly super wasn't very good at it. Just not my thing. The client clearly didn't understand and thought that I had gotten "too big for my britches." HA. I laugh at this now, but, back then, that comment caused me to accept EVERY session that anyone ever wanted to book. I killed myself doing work I didn't want to do, lost for hours in editing, hating myself for saying yes to too much just so people didn't comment on the size of my britches. Not this time. This time, everyone is welcome to think whatever they'd like while I'll be over here creating and living and loving on my family and not killing myself to impress someone. This time, I would be honored to create the kind of work that not only inspires me, but inspires you, too. Let's make something really beautiful that will last. Let's tell the story of YOU. Your life, your kids, your wedding, your anything! So thankful capture it all. :)
You've had businesses so you must know how hard it is to keep up with social media. Do you offer a package for business photography?: Wow. Another really great question, and yes, thanks for asking, I DO! I can get the epic shots you need to run a really head-turning ad campaign or engaging social media account! Really, though, even as a photographer myself, the day-to-day of running my boutique plus trying to get shots and new ideas for social media was such a daunting task! Headshots? I can do those as well. Let my photography tell the story of your business so that your customers get to know the real YOU!
Okay, I've now wasted the majority of my day reading all your ramblings. Will you be less random at the session?: Definitely not, no.