Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Owen.
Amy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started film photography in high school with a love of landscapes and people. I was fascinated with freezing laughter and joyful moments as well as capturing the sunset over the rolling hills where I grew up! Fast forward through being an art teacher and becoming a mom, my love for creative photography surfaced as I wanted to capture the joy of milestones and growth for my family and friends.
I shot my first wedding in 2005 and fell in love and started to book weddings shortly after. After being a photo hobbyist for seven years and much encouragement from my husband, I finally took the leap to be a full-time photographer in 2015. Since then, my business has grown exponentially, and I have had the pleasure of documenting so many incredible couples, families, and seniors in the last three years.
I have a strong conviction that life’s greatest art is people! Their stories, their lives are woven beautifully like a tapestry, and that journey is worth documenting and sharing!! My strengths are making people feel comfortable and helping them enjoy the process of being photographed! I have had the privilege of being featured in multiple wedding publications as well as the New York Times and the PGA tour. I am currently a photographer and contributor to our local publication Augusta Magazine.
Has it been a smooth road? What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
It has not been easy. I will say that being taken seriously takes time when you start your business. My advice would be to take yourself seriously, don’t undercharge, and invest in education as much as possible. It’s okay to grow slowly, especially if you have a family. Create healthy boundaries from the beginning, and that will keep you from burning out. The key word is balance!
We’d love to hear more about Amy J Owen Photo.
I’m most proud of being there for my clients! It’s unrealistic to say you will be best friends with all of your clients, but I definitely do connect and relate to them on a friendship level. I love to encourage. It’s not just about pictures. It’s the ability to see the gold in someone through the lens! I always want them to leave the session feeling better than before they came! It’s important to find the right setting and scenario that makes them feel comfortable so they can be themselves in front of the camera. It’s not always easy, but I find that most people, even if they don’t like taking photos in general, will walk away saying that they actually had fun! This is what I treasure most!!
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Most definitely! My grandparents had a farm right next door to us growing up, so my first experiences with photography were capturing farmland and vegetables. I practically lived outside and just loved the sunsets there. When I discovered I could actually capture them with a camera, I was completely smitten. We had rolling hills and a tree swing with so many gardens. It was a treat to grow up in such a magical space!
Contact Info:
- Website: amyjowenphoto.com
- Phone: 706-231-2160
- Email: amyjowenphoto@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/amyjowenphoto
- Facebook: facebook.com/amyjowenphoto
Image Credit:
Amy J Owen Photo
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
