Don’t Look Down

I’ve been quiet these past few months. Quiet here on the blog, often quiet on Facebook, quiet on Instagram… and lately I’ve been thinking a lot about why that could be…

I love photography. I love teaching photography, I love coaching photographers, and I love the art form and the freedom and the inspiration I feel behind my lens. I’ve had the privilege of teaching thousands of parents why good photography matters and how to make it happen. I’ve helped hundreds of photographers get their businesses off the ground. You’d think I’d be feeling less… well… less afraid these days.

But here I am, grappling with a fear that I’m usually stronger than: the fear of not being enough. Every time I raise my finger to click “Send Client Gallery,” my stomach goes into knots. No, really.

This summer I had a disappointed client who shared some feedback that was especially difficult to hear: “We hired you because, you know, we wanted ‘Amy Tripple’ pictures. But when we saw our gallery we were like ‘Meh.’ Honestly, we should have just asked one of the many photographers we know and paid half what we paid you…” The phone call lasted a long time and in the end the client had gotten the message across. There was no place for restoration. I had failed to deliver.

It’s not that I haven’t had unhappy clients before. It happens. It has to. It’s impossible to think that everyone sees such a subjective product in the same light, and I’ve been able to accept and even expect it as part of our livelihood. We always handle these situations with as much grace and thoughtfulness as possible. Why this one has been harder to let go I’m not 100% sure…

In her book “Big Magic,” Elizabeth Gilbert wrote that she dreaded writing her next book after “Eat, Pray, Love” because she was terrified she wouldn’t be able to stack up to… ready for this? Herself. And yet, her second book, “Big Magic” is one of the most inspirational books I’ve ever read, and I know many who feel the same way. If Liz hadn’t bravely picked up her pen again to write this second book, I’m fairly certain countless lives (mine included) would be less fulfilling in many ways.

As we grow, so do the stakes. We raise our own bars higher and higher, expecting more of ourselves (and higher expectations of others) with each new level of growth and success. As our abilities increase, so does the distance we have to fall. And lately, all I seem to be able to say to myself is “Don’t look down.”

You guys, I’ve been so tempted to look down this year. I’ve been focusing more than usual on what the next painful phone call might bring, or how the next unhappy email might be worded. It’s all just been so scary, scary, scary… when it all should be some level of courageous and joyful. I coach photographers on how to move past these seasons, but I’ve been having trouble moving past my own. It’s a subject photographers rarely talk about but all experience if they’re committed to the field.

Anyway… a few days ago I was looking for a photo that I knew I’d posted on my FB photography page way back in 2010. It took a long time to scroll back through all the images, and as I did I was overwhelmed by the magnitude of genuine beauty I saw. Each image represented a touching, emotional moment that really, truly happened… one that meant something very special and had been snatched back from the edge of being forgotten. As I looked at each of over 1,500 photos, I remembered shooting every one. I remembered the emotion I experienced in every single time and place... and I felt courage and joy well back up inside me as though someone had simply turned the spigot back on. Just like that.

Why share all this? To be honest, I’m not completely sure. It’s possible that I’ve just written myself past the line of appropriate vulnerability, and if so, forgive me. I think I just wanted to pass on my experience as a reminder that so much of how we feel… of how we bring ourselves to the world… reflects what we’re choosing to focus on. Life settles back into balance when we pull our eyes away from the ground and onto what matters. This Thanksgiving, I will be focusing wholeheartedly on the joy of photographing you and your families when I think of my business. You’ve made me braver and stronger and I'm grateful now more than ever… it’s an honor to serve you and capture the connections you hold most dear.

All my love,
Amy

Some of the MANY pictures of you that grabbed my heart… couldn’t post them all or no one would get through them, lol…

Yoga at the Studio!

A therapist once told me that yoga is the only exercise that involves mind, body, and spirit, and in my experience this has always been true.

About a year ago one of my closest friends, Jeannette, began her journey of becoming a certified yoga instructor, and in January she earned her certificate. Once she became “official,” Jeannette began offering small classes to friends, which quickly (but not surprisingly) transformed into classes for friends-of-friends, because I’m telling you guys… she’s good.

I’m not just saying that. She’s really, really GOOD. Her instruction is detailed, fluid, encouraging, and easy to follow, but even more than that… the thoughtful, intentional meditations she shares each week have been so centering that I can honestly say it’s brought my anxiety to a new and manageable low. I’ve gotten physically and mentally stronger because of her instruction.

ANYway… here’s the big news:

Our Hinsdale studio is now the location for a number of her weekly yoga classes!!! I can’t begin to tell you how excited it makes me to know that others will be able to use the space to learn and practice yoga with Jeannette.

She’s just opened up registration for five classes. I have no doubt that they will all be wonderful, but there are two in particular that I want to tell you about because I am so excited about them:

1. A 6 week yoga book club. YES A YOGA BOOK CLUB!!!!!! The morning one includes optional extra time at the end for coffee and socializing (love this). The evening one includes the same, except with wine (love this even more, hehe). I am signing up for the evening one because it will be amazing… anyone want to join me? I mean… how fun would that be?!? This one will be on Thursdays from 8:30 - 9:45 p.m. from November 1st - December 13th.

2. A 6 week class for tween girls. Jeannette is amazing with girls this age and one of her passions is equipping them to believe in their incredible strength, both physically and emotionally. This class will be on Tuesdays from 4:15 - 5:30 p.m. It runs from October 20th to December 11th, and our tween girl will most definitely be attending. If you have a girl in the 11-14 year old range and you live nearby, take a look!

You can check out the rest of her classes on her website. I really think you’ll love what you see.

What to Wear...

Just a glimpse of one of Saturday morning’s minis.

This family NAILED it with the outfits, you guys. I mean… look at those stunning colors! I think what won me over, in the end, was the 3 year old’s shoes. Because: yellow. I love yellow sooooo much!!! And 3 year olds. And 14 month olds. And mamas in fabulous hats. And, of course, daddies with awesome attitudes.

All of it and everything. ❤️

XOXO,
Me

What's your gut? ❤️

When this mama reached out to me in an email, she shared that their family was expecting their fifth and final baby... and the one thing she knew was that she wanted to document this beautiful, special season of their family's life.

I really loved that. As a parent, there are seasons in life when you know, deep down, that the moments & feelings of your family should be captured just as they are, here and now, and without delay.  As a mom, I've done it myself... I've booked sessions on a whim, only to be deeply grateful years later that I followed my gut.

Saturday was a beautiful, beautiful day. ☀️ And this was a beautiful, beautiful family. ❤️ Without a doubt, we captured the essence of who they are as a family of six, almost seven, on a warm summer evening, 2018. The giggles, the love, the play, the joy... this family's "now" is safely chronicled for all time and for each one to cherish for always.

What does your gut say about this summer? If it's whispering "go for it," shoot me an email. I'll be right here waiting for ya. ❤️

7 Things Great Photographers Do...

Here's a post that's been in my head for years. I think it's so fun to know a bit more about what's going on behind the scenes of other people's businesses... so here's a bit about what's going on behind the scenes of mine. Enjoy!  (Note - all of the images in this blog were taken during this past week's lifestyle mini sessions... yay!)

7 Things great Photographers Do...
 

If being an amazing family photographer was a pie, I think it may surprise a lot of people just how small the slice of knowing how a camera works would actually be. Basic photography knowledge is just the price of admission. There's so much more to it than that!

These are the things the best photographers do to create the images that stop people in their tracks:

ONE

Great photographers engage.

When we see an image that demonstrates strong emotion, it's nearly always because the photographer has facilitated it in some way. I like to consider myself a silent player in every picture. My job is to draw out an emotion so strong that you are immediately participating in it as everything else falls away. The best photographers are people-people. They know how to form a strong connection with every subject in front of his or her camera. People don't engage with cameras; they engage with photographers. 

TWO

Great photographers look for the story.

If you've come to any of my classes, you've heard me talk about this. Every photo tells a story. The moment a skilled photographer arrives on the scene, he or she begins to look for the story. What emotions are present? How do these subjects relate to one another? Why are the subjects moving/behaving/talking/connecting the way they are? The best photographers aren't passive bystanders... they're detectives on a mission. 

THREE

Great photographers are a little bit bossy. Nice, but bossy.

If you were to take your car to the shop for repairs, you'd want the mechanic to take the lead, no? I'd definitely be having second thoughts if my mechanic started asking how I thought my car should be fixed. Great photographers clearly direct their subjects. They're comfortable calling the shots because they're secure in their knowledge of photography... whether it's how to turn your head, when it's time to walk to another spot, whom to look at, what to say... all of it! A photographer who directs his or her subjects puts them at ease, because they can trust in his or her knowledge and experience. Relaxed subjects = better pictures. Simple as that.

FOUR

Great photographers practice wholeheartedness.

As dreamy as it may sound (and it often is!), photography is not an easy line of work. It's highly rewarding, but as artists we have a LOT of emotional skin in the game. We photographers not only put their work out for all to see (see the definition of vulnerable here, lol); we also have to put a price on it. Some will value the art, some won't. It can be difficult for an artist to separate people's valuation of her work from their valuation of her self... if not properly managed, this can lead a photographer toward defensiveness at best, bitterness at worst. Staying "soft" is one of the biggest challenges in this profession; the very best photographers understand and accept that exposing their hearts through their photography means they are opening themselves up to emotional hurt... but they choose to be wholehearted anyway, choosing to focus on and be grateful for the opportunities they have to create and share their passion with the world.

FIVE

Great photographers find inspiration in their subjects.

Another session. Another family. Another day in the life of a portrait photographer. It can be easy to fall into a rut of monotony, but that road leads to the desolate land of boredom and burnout. The best photographers intentionally and actively choose to see each subject as unique and beautiful; they look for the miraculous in the midst of the ordinary. The best photographers allow their hearts to swell with inspiration as their subjects dance, embrace, smile, connect, laugh... even cry... and they choose to fully engage in each and every session.

SIX

Great photographers won't "arrive."

I'm convinced that the moment I decide that my photography has reached perfection is the moment that marks the beginning of the end of my craft. It's like that with anything, of course, but especially with art. Art is not linear... it's a wide open field of exploration, experimentation and inspiration that can take you in any direction. There's no "arriving" with photography because there are ALWAYS more directions in which to grow! New lenses, new perspectives, new compositions, new subjects, new locations, new lighting techniques... the list is endless and one lifetime is nowhere close to enough to know and master it all. 

SEVEN

Great photographers love photography.

I mean... they REALLY love photography. They love it as much as they love air, food, water... even wine, hahaha. They go through life viewing the world through an imaginary rectangle, because life is a story and they are the storytellers. I often find myself in tears as I sort through the images from sessions, my heart threatening to burst into a thousand pieces at each precious interaction. Bet you didn't know that. I believe that the best photographers will always choose to open up their hearts and fall in love with their craft, again and again... because it's through this lens of love that truly incredible images emerge. ❤️

And those, my friends, are the seven things that the very best photographers will always do...

Why I Can't Stop Talking About Them...

Here's a smattering of the kinds of pictures that are taken during a Lifestyle Mini Session.

I can't stop talking about these sessions because they catch life happening. And life is beautiful.

There are still a few openings through the end of June, and our July & August schedule was just released. We expect these to go quickly this fall, so getting your session knocked out during the summer wouldn't be a bad idea... just sayin'. ;)

Click below to see what's available.
Hope to see you soon my friends! <3

Shredding Money and the CUTEST 2 Year Old

Did I catch your attention there? Hope so, because there is something I just discovered that is SO brilliant that I would be a straight-up criminal not to share it with you.

But first, a quick back-story: I don't usually get up when my alarm goes off. Never have. That's the back-story.

K. Let's fast-forward to last week when my daughter heard Jonathan and I trying to problem-solve (yet again) our lack of willpower when it comes to getting out of bed in the morning. She told us that she'd heard of an alarm clock that shreds money. Yes... it shreds money. Or at least it threatens to, because actually shredding money is illegal, who knew?

It's like this: you put a dollar bill (or a larger one!) in it, set your alarm, and it activates 2 minutes later to shred whatever's sitting in its teeth. 😂 Brilliant.

Sadly, there is no such thing, but we figured out a hack. We got a little desktop shredder and a digital outlet timer and set up the whole thing easy peasy. Here's how it works:

1. I slide the dollar (or higher) bill into the shredder before I go to bed.
2. My alarm goes off at 5:00 a.m. the next morning
3. The shredder turns on at 5:02 a.m.

I keep the shredder downstairs, so my morning now consists of me FLYING out of bed to pull the money out of the shredder before it turns on. Hahaha. It's awesome.

K. Thought you should know about that. Now... do you want to see the CUTEST 2 year old??? She was amazing... enjoy!!!

PS... Every picture I posted from this session would qualify as a "lifestyle" image... If you're ready to book a Lifestyle Mini yourself, or learn more about them, click here!!!

Pennsylvania Kiddos... ;)

It's been six years since I've captured this gorgeous little family, and the sister was just a bump in her mama's tummy at the time!

Another trip to Chicago for these guys meant that I was given the treat of having them in front of my lens. Everyone was 100% amazing. Hadn't expected any less... ;)

Little note btw... these pictures are representative of the images that are given in our Lifestyle Mini sessions. We still have a few left if you want to grab one!

XOXO,
Amy

Marco Island Beach Session

There are no words for how much I love shooting on the beach in Florida...

I Am Three.

Ok, so I’ve been reading the most amazing book written by a woman named Louise Hay way back in the 80’s… published in 1984. So, like, 34 years ago. But whatever… it’s amazing.

It’s amazing because it’s brought an idea to a level that I can finally grasp… something I’ve been trying to internalize for so long: how to better love myself.

Surely she says it better than I will here, but let me tell you what I’ve recently come to understand:

I am three years old.

It’s that whole inner child thing, I know, I know. But hear me out:

Aren’t we basically the same person throughout our life? I mean, we gain more experience and our brains and bodies mature, but the essence of who we are remains the same. When you were little… like 3-year-old-little… it’s likely that you were 1) adorable, 2) unashamed, and 3) really liked yourself. You knew how to ask for what you wanted. You knew when you needed rest and you knew when you needed to eat and you knew when you needed a snuggle. That’s how little kids are. I know this because they’re in front of my camera ALL. THE. TIME. and this is how they act. 100% THEMSELVES.

So follow me here. That amazing, adorable, unashamed 3 year old is still in there, you guys. She’s the same. You’re still her. Granted, with more experiences, but YOU’RE THE SAME PERSON.

It kind of blew my mind.

This week, I’ve been loving the little 3 year old Amy that’s still me. I’ve been WAY more gentle with myself (I mean… who yells at a 3 year old???) and have been so much more aware of the way other treat me. I’ve been a bit protective of myself, actually… protective of that sweet little girl who needs more encouragement and less criticism in her life.

And this may sound crazy, but I’ve been seeing other people as their 3 year old selves too. It’s been a game-changer.

So I’m leaving you with this: We’re all 3 years old inside, you guys. Love the hell out of that kiddo because she’s amazing and adorable and deserves a beautiful, happy life.

XOXO,
Amy