Tessa (alternate title: catchlights)

Tessa marks a turning point in my photography skills. My friends and fellow bloggers Meagan and Andrea have been patiently and lovingly guiding me as I teach myself photography. Both women are incredibly skilled professional photographers. Andrea is a wedding photographer with a strong Michigan client base. Chicagoans might recognize Meagan as a professional party photographer with Glitter Guts, but she too shoots weddings. Every time I hang out with either of them, they teach me something new about my camera, light, or photography in general. I am the daughter of a professor so I am very comfortable being critiqued. In fact, I believe it shows respect.

To continue reading about Amy’s discovery of catchlights, click below:

During conversations about photography both Meagan and Andrea instructed me to “look for the light in the eyes” of my subjects. Working with sunlight instead of studio lighting makes finding the catchlights that much more difficult, especially for someone who is entirely self-taught. I know I have captured catchlights in my photographs before, but it was on accident. This is the first image I’ve ever taken where I consciously thought about finding them.

As a creative person it’s really exciting to watch my work evolve. I am the first person to openly admit that being an artist is a never-ending process of growth. A photographer never stops improving their skills. Every photo is a step further, every click of the shutter button pushes me to hone my craft even more. I am so incredibly lucky to have such supportive readers and friends as I develop my photography skills.

I am the daughter of a professor so I am very comfortable being critiqued. In fact, I believe it shows respect. Criticizing someone, with the aim of helping them, demonstrates that you care enough about them to want them to improve. The difference between critiquing and hating on someone is that critiquing comes from a place of love, while hating on someone obviously comes from a place of hate. Anonymous needs to learn the difference.

Please check out Meagan’s blog LATTERSTYLE and Andrea’s blog Blonde Bedhead. I’m sure you’ll love them just as much as I do.