We recently connected with Amber Larkins and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Amber, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One day while I was woking out and trying to catch my breath. I took a little break so I could catch my breath. I was standing in the gym under the squat rack, and suddenly the most revolutionary idea popped into my head. Honestly, this is when most of my best ideas come to mind,

You see, I had been looking for a way I could use my talent to help people. It had also been on my heart to help others share their stories, and on this particular day, under that squat rack, it hit me that I should create a type of photography session that will artistically tell what they have overcame.”

For several months, I had been hearing some amazing stories of trauma and triumph while working doing photo sessions with my clients. So many of them had been through some type of trauma and had found inner strength to triumph over it. I would hear these stories and I often felt like it was unfair that I was the only one getting to hear these stories, especially since they were usually incredibly impactful and had the potential to really help others.

Then on that particular day at that squat rack, when the idea came to me, I had to seize the opportunity and create a session that would do just that… photograph women who were ready and willing to share their story. It took some time to iron out all the details of what these sessions would look like, and it took lots of trial and error to get them polished, BUT form the vey first session I knew they were transformational.

My clients who have done one of these sessions with me all say the same thing, that they are healing and transformative. Even though the women I work with, have overcame and many of them have experiences massive success after what happened to them, it’s still as if they are able to put some closure to the trauma they endured and finally use it for something good, something that will help others.

These sessions are almost like 2 sessions in one because we photograph the trauma artistically and creatively with a series of images that “tell the story”. Then we shoot another series of images that showcase where they are today, even in the face of the emotion and headache, they have come out on the other side, and this gives others hope.

We find these sessions are both a healing experience for the client, and then once shared they are exponentially healing for the viewers who see their images and hear their story, especially if its a story that widely relates to the viewer. It helps the viewer know they are not alone in their trauma, AND that there really is hope on the other side of their pain.
Theses sessions are the most impactful project I get the privilege to work on. They are all very intuitively customized and divinely inspired to fit the particular story we are telling. And I am most passionate to work on these projects.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am first and foremost a women empowerment advocate and I love working with women. Photography is my playground, my vehicle to work with them, make them look and feel beautiful in every step of the process. I am able to draw out each woman’s individual beauty. I get to show women they are “enough” and empower them to follow their dreams no matter how big they are.

I have always worked with women as far back as I can remember. My background stems from the beauty industry, where I worked in a salon for years. In fact, looking back on almost every job I had, I worked really closely with women. And then in college when I got into competing in fitness I seemed to alway form strong bonds with the ladies I worked with.

When I picked up my first camera over a decade ago, it was only natural that I would gravitate to shooting women in fitness photography (not to say I don’t shoot men, I do. And I am actually really good at shooting them, but I know I am called to work with women because what I do is so much more than just photography). I actually started my fitness photography business completely by accident. I started shooting for fun, but quickly started getting requests photoshoots, so I turned it from a hobby into a side gig, pouring all the money I made back into purchasing and upgrading equipment.

When I first started my business, I was under the impression that I was going to be shooting women in all their physical strength, but what I quickly learned working with women in the fitness space was that I was actually shooting their mental and emotional strength more often than not. I quickly fell in love with photographing them. I understand them. I relate to them. And I love to empower women, and not just when they are in front of my camera, but from the moment they make an initial contact with me until their final images are delivered and beyond, it is all an empowerment process, and my goal is to make every woman walk away feeling empowered and with images they are proud to show off.

Because I admire the strength that each woman possesses, I have have taken the last several years and branching into also shooting women empowerment photography, personal branding photography, and of course working on my signature transformation through trauma sessions. The common denominator in these genres of photography is WOMEN, and showcasing their strength, both mental, emotional, and physical. It doesn’t matter what a woman does or what she wants to exude, all women want to look confident, inspiring, and empowered, AND I get to bring that into reality with my clients.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Here’s my mission! My manifesto (you could call it)!

As Women, I believe in challenging the role we play in todays society. Gone are the days of the traditional role of women, we have been transformed into a new breed.
We are challenging this role by empowering each other to be whole and complete in all facets of life: influential mothers, successful business owners, competent in all areas of health…physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and financially.
I believe every woman should have the tools made available to her, and the resources to be well-equipped to navigate through any obstacle life throws at her.
As women, our perseverance has endured the test of time, and we have risen to the occasion time and time again!
If you are going with me on this mission…rise to the occasion and let me hear you say!
“I am transformed, I am purposeful, I am empowered, I am enough! I am Fearless, I am free, I am fighter! I AM FEMALE!”

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

The very first business book I read was “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill

I found this book highly influential because he speaks of the power of the mind having the ability to accomplish almost anything you set it on. I am intrigued and amazed at just how true this book has served to be over my entrepreneurial journey.

I also love this book because of the focus he puts on definiteness of purpose or the “knowledge of what one wants, and the burning desire to possess it.” I believe the key to being fulfilled in your life and your business is having a purpose for why you are doing what you’re doing and then being extremely intentional about making your “purpose driven goals” a reality.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.fitographyfiles.com
• Instagram: @empowerographyfiles @the_amber_larkins
• Facebook: Https://www.facebook.com/fitographyfiles/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-larkins-43529986/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Fitographyfiles
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCKUp-HND3mXE33A6FBiYB7g

Image Credits
Kiana Young