Dreams Come True: My Story of Becoming a Maternity & Newborn Photographer

My Family!

​Becoming a photographer is really interwoven with the story of how I became who I am today. Through creating our family I found myself through the art of photography. So, let’s start from the beginning shall we.
​
From FL to TX
I was born in Florida, where my fondest memory was of daily beach visits. In high school I moved to Texas and continued my stay through college in Lubbock. GO RED RAIDERS! There I got a degree to teach science and met my forever best friend and now husband and father to our three children.
 
We moved to my husband’s Texas hometown and there I taught high school science for eight years. I loved it! I am passionate about science, so I felt like I got to teach what I loved. But the best part was the feeling I got from making a difference in the students’ lives every day.
 
And I can’t leave out that I had my dream wedding on a Maui beach with the perfect dress and the perfect man. It was simply amazing!
 
CO Bound
We felt Colorado calling us! My husband had lived in CO for a short stay and our vacations kept bringing us back to this colorful state. When we decided that it was time for the next chapter in our lives, Colorado felt like a fresh start. I love getting to live in a state that has all of the seasons. And you can’t beat having the mountains just a short drive from our Northern Colorado home.
 
Shortly after moving to Colorado, I had my first little girl. Like any other new parent, I wanted to experience everything. I had the privilege of staying home with her while my husband worked. I took many photos of her myself, but we decided to invest in professional photos for her first year and that is where I fell in love with newborn photography.
 
Finding My Next Passion
During my first born’s newborn photo shoot, I was amazed by the photographer. She made it looks so easy. My little one was overwhelmingly precious all wrapped up and placed in these little sets.
 
I already had a camera that I had been playing with before my daughter was born. I fell in love with the beauty within the newness of babies. Their innocence, how quickly they change. I became passionate about capturing these moments to help them last forever.

Getting Started
I put a lot of time and energy into learning the art of maternity and newborn photography. Through online courses, hours perfecting the art of shooting and editing, newborn safety courses, and mentoring with an awesome newborn photographer, I am very confident in my craft. However I am continuously learning.
 
The Studio Experience
I created my own private studio so I can do what I love most in a place that is 100% a result of my creative nature and inspiration. From having a relaxing and comfortable space for parents, to the backgrounds, lighting, props, sweet outfits for the littles — my creativity and focus on the whole scene really shines.
 
There is so much to learn as a studio photographer. Lighting is everything! Where, how strong, if natural light is also coming in, big set, small set, backlighting, shadow lighting, moody lighting. It’s a lot to learn, but it is also all in my control.
 
I enjoy a lovely outdoor family shoot too, but I really love getting to pull from all my skills to create the studio experience for my clients.
 
So Rewarding
I LOVE this job because every day children grow and develop into who they will become in the future. I get capture the before moments and the new moments, tiny features and small details.

​Getting the perfect shot for my clients fills my cup. I know it means so much to me, but I feel over the moon when my clients tell me how much it means to them.
 
What’s Next?
Future plans include a stand-alone studio space with a full-service boutique. I’d love to have a selection of products so my clients can leave my studio with exactly what is going to go straight onto the walls in their homes.
 
I’m also learning how to create more dramatic studio shots for my maternity clients. Amazing dress shots, working with shadows and black and white. It’s such a gift to get to capture the beauty of pregnancy as well.
 
I know these dreams will become realities in my future because I have already made the dream of Amber Sullivan Photography come true.
 
I've told you my story; now let me help you tell yours!