Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Reichenbach.
Amy, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I never knew I was an artist. Until just a few years ago. I can’t imagine now, not knowing that about myself, but for two and a half decades, I just didn’t know. I graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a B.S. in Zoology and a B.A. in French. (I know, weird combo.) I bounced around a few different desk jobs in higher education and non-profits, but it never really felt right to me. I decided to plan a trip to volunteer for two weeks at a wildlife sanctuary in Costa Rica, hoping to find some clarity. I had always been interested in taking photos, so I thought – if I’m going to be taking care of baby sloths and monkeys, now is probably a good time to buy a camera and learn how to use it! So, I learned the basics and hopped on a plane. The trip was great, but I didn’t come home with the sense of direction I was hoping for. I did continue practicing photography though. And then all of a sudden, it hit me. This is it! This is my thing! I had to travel 4,000 miles away to find what was here all along.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Creating photos is a very personal experience for me. My heart falls a little in love with the people I meet, the way their eyes crinkle up when they laugh, the way they look at their children, the way light plays on their skin, the gentle and fierce ways they love each other. My style is organic and emotive. I aim to capture moments, expressions, movement, and connection all poured into photos that really feel like something. I create images as an exploration into what it feels like to be a human walking around the earth in a body.
My work is pretty diverse… I shoot portraits of all kinds, and that variety is one of my favorite things about my job! I form some really special connections with clients who turn into friends. Imagine being invited into all the most intimate and memorable moments of someone’s life –the privilege of documenting an engagement, and then a wedding, and then maternity, birth, newborn, christening, first birthday, tenth birthday photos… a whole lifetime of memories captured for one family. I can’t even express what a gift it is to be present in all of those moments. It feels like the honor of my lifetime.
I do lots of personal work in addition to client work, but it all kind of flows together these days. Which might be a good indicator that I’m crafting a career doing exactly what I love! My big personal project at the moment is very close to my heart and was inspired by my grandmother, Chickie. I’m creating a series called Elders. I’ve been sitting down to ask questions, listen to stories, and photograph some of the most remarkable, vibrant, and insightful people in our community (free of charge). I could talk about that project for hours, so if you’re interested in learning more, sponsoring gift prints for elders or if you know someone over 80 who might be interested in having their portrait taken, please get in touch!
In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
I think the biggest challenge facing artists today is the same as it’s been as long as there have been people creating things. Our biggest challenge to overcome is ourselves. Everyone has fears and doubts, but I think for artists because we identify so strongly with our work, everything can feel really personal especially failures. There are plenty of days we don’t pick up the camera or the paintbrush or put on the dance shoes or put the pen to the page. That’s part of the deal. Some days, it’s tough to put your whole heart out there for the world to accept… or not. But we do it anyway. Because we’re artists.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
The best way to support me is to get in front of my camera! If you’re interested in booking a session, please feel free to shoot me an email at AmyLeeReichenbach@gmail.com. I’d love to chat!
My work is up at www.AmyReichenbachPhotography.com and on Instagram @AmyReichenbachPhotography.
I also offer prints of my photography and poems/paintings for sale at my Etsy shop. https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmyReichenbachPhoto.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amyreichenbachphotography.com
- Phone: 508-472-4228
- Email: AmyLeeReichenbach@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyreichenbachphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyreichenbachphotography/
Image Credit:
Amy Reichenbach Photography
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