Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Lane.
Amy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hi! My name is Amy Lane, and I’m a freelance photographer and photo editor in the DFW metroplex. I’ve lived in Dallas for 8 years now and have been working in the field of photography for 13 years. I’ve had a strong natural inclination to document life through imagery since I was a child. Once I got my hands on a camera, I rarely put it down. I carried my little digital camera with me everywhere and captured everything nonstop – the family cats, days at school, nature, and whatever else was in front of me. I got my first DSLR camera when I was a junior in high school. I dove in and never looked back. Once I graduated, I went off to college to get a BA in photography. It was a fantastic experience to learn, grow, and push myself out of my comfort zone.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One struggle/obstacle has been simply to garner respect as a young woman in the field (particularly in action photography). It’s not uncommon for photographers who are women to, by default, be seen as and treated as less than the men around us. I learned while photographing sports for the student newspaper in college that the middle-aged man beside me would automatically be respected much more than I was – and that it had 0% to do with talent, skill, professionalism, or work ethic. Sometimes that means that we have to hustle twice as hard just to prove ourselves worthwhile.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I love to photograph just about anything! For work, it’s mainly portraiture – couples, families, engagements, weddings, maternity, and whatever else a family wants documented – including pets! On the side, my heart belongs to action photography – photographing concerts and sports is the best rush. I’ve always been drawn to landscape photography, as well. I love to travel and experience new places through photography.
Something that sets me apart from other photographers is my passion for photo editing. Most of my photographer friends hate that part and think I’m crazy for it, but I’ve always enjoyed it. It definitely can be exhausting, but there’s something really special about getting your images exactly how you envisioned them to be. I’ve done a whole lot of work in color correction, as well as some in retouching and restoration, and take editing jobs here and there.
One of my favorite things about my job is working with returning clients. There’s a family who I first photographed as a couple with one toddler. Our second shoot was their maternity for their second child, and just the other day, we did their first photo session as a family of four. There’s another couple who I first photographed as boyfriend/girlfriend with their pups. A few years later, we did an engagement photo session and most recently, their maternity. I love being here to document families through all of their exciting changes in life and getting to know them along the way!
One thing I’m proud of is being able to use my skills in a charitable way. Over the years, I’ve been a volunteer photographer for several cat and dog rescue groups and for a municipal shelter. It’s so fulfilling to be able to help a cause I’m passionate about by doing something I enjoy and am good at.
Speaking of rescue, I’d love to give a shoutout to a rescue group I volunteer with called Animal Rescue Crusaders of Texas. They’re a fully volunteer-run 501(c)(3) that works relentlessly to rescue and find homes for hundreds of cats each year. If you’re looking for a new cat or interested in volunteering, check them out! – www.arcrescuetx.org
Contact Info:
- Website: amylanephoto.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/amylanephoto
- Facebook: facebook.com/amylanephoto
- Twitter: twitter.com/amylanephotog
