lifestyle photography |

Blogging, I suck at it. I have great intentions but lack the follow through. I am bad. That being said, I am making myself do it. How could I not with gorgeous images like these?

I really haven’t been shooting to much over the last year. I shoot what I need for composites and have just put my light painting on the back burner. I found myself really missing it and picked up my camera to shoot for the sake of shooting and playing in the light again. How in the world did I let myself go so long without doing this I just will not understand. I must have needed the break to bring me back to the love and appreciation I used to have.

I’ve shot a few mini sessions with my daughter and loved them all, each one I loved even more. Then came this one and I made myself swoon with how beautiful they turned out. I knew I wanted a dreamy, yet editorial feel to the images, I knew I wanted gorgeous golden hour backlighting. All of this came together better than what I had hoped for.

I am in love. I love my daughter for always putting up with me wanting to shoot her, whether it be for composite art or for the love of photography. Her and I have this down. We’ve done this so many years now that we can pump out a full session in 10-15 minutes. She rocks as my model, she rocks as my daughter, she rocks at being who is she is.

I hope you enjoy these images.

If you like my work, please feel free to share it or pin on pinterest.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog.

Hey leave a comment and say hi and let me know where you hail from!

Blessings,
Kristen Marie

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Featured Artist – Amy McMaster

KMLC- What was it about photography that drew you in and made you decide to pursue it?
Amy – A friend shared pictures of her kids back in 2006. I thought they were so gorgeous. She shared some close ups- where the eyes were just amazing. The light in them- they just sparkled and drew you in. I’d never seen anything like it outside of random magazines shots. I knew I wanted to capture MY kids like that. I wasn’t sure how and I started asking questions. A lot of questions. My friend was most gracious in answering everything I asked. .

KMLC- Define your artistic style?
Amy – I think my style is more of an approach. I want to capture what is really real. What is actually going on. I love using a more journalistic/documentary style approach to the bulk of my work. I love the imperfections. The off the cuff way you have to shoot. Unexpected results sometimes because you are not always in control of the light or the subject. I like that. I am extremely fond of black and white photography. Rich black and whites with a lot of contrast. I do like some color though. Not usually bright color- but warm with a subtle flat finish is my preference.

I use this approach when shooting pets, farm animals, kids…or families.

KMLC- Where do you find your motivation to grow, be creative and unique?
Amy- I am generally a pretty thought-filled person. I love to deep think. I love to pull apart ideas and talk them to death. I love to figure things out- the who and the why and the how. But when it comes to my work I literally just feel. I don’t find myself spending 30 minutes thinking about a set up, the lighting, what lens…I shoot. I shoot what interests me in the moment I am in. I think this always challenges me to be on my toes.

Another thing I think that helps ME grow, be creative and sometimes…unique is that I do like to challenge myself with lighting, pushing my camera, and when I get the opportunity to try something new- I usually take it. Even if it’s NOT my usual style. I might come away from the experience with something that just furthers me along in my personal journey.

KMLC -Being a business owner can pose many challenges, tell us how you find balance between your business, art and your personal life.
Amy – I am going to be frank on this. It’s very challenging. I personally found it very difficult to balance business, art and my personal life. I managed for three years and finally chose personal life and art…and let my business go this year.

It was hard. But I am a homeschooling mom to 4 young kids. That is my 9 to 5 during the week. Plus two ago we started a small farm. I love it. I love everything about the life of a farmer. I couldn’t balance them all anymore. So I made the choice that was best for my family. I am STILL shooting. I shoot for friends, I shoot my farm, I shoot my kids and I just shoot life. I share those things with others. I am enjoying going back to my roots of shooting what I love and what is happening.

In a few years, I will revisit this decision and decide if it stays or I want to venture back out there as a business. But for now, I am happy.

KMLC- Tell us about these images.
Amy – These images are simply a collection of my eclectic life. They are everything I love about my life. My images do not always show the tears or sweat that comes with this life. I hope it is implied. Farm life, being a mom, a wife…just being ourselves…it’s just flat out tough stuff. But I love to capture the things that remind me of why I love my life so much. Why I pick up my camera and shoot it all in the first place. Chaos amidst chaos and all it’s raw beauty..

KMLC – We all want to know, what’s in your bag?
Amy – My bag is simple. A Nikon D700 and a small arsenal of simple, inexpensive lenses. My work horse the 50 1.4, 24 2.8, 15mm Sigma Fish Eye, 60 f2.8 Macro and for length I have a 105 f2 (no, not the macro) and my handy dandy humble 70-300 VR zoomie. Oh! And for a break from the norm – a Lensbaby with a slew of Optics for funsies! I carry all this in a cheap but sturdy bag I got off Amazon. I have an old Speedlight I use sometimes, a ring flash that I rarely use but it’s fun to play with and that’s really about it.

Look on to see a sampling of Amy’s amazingly pure images!

Thank you so much for sharing with us Amy! ♥♥♥

to see more of Amy’s work, be sure to check out her website HERE