We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amy Grissom . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amy below.
Amy , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.
These have been my absolute favorite projects to capture. I have worked with an organization called Outreach Inc. They offer services to the homeless youth of Indianapolis. I have had the privilege of seeing each of the centers and what happens there. Capturing the moments of youth and workers and seeing the genuine looks of hope and appreciation was really impacting to me. I was able to sit in on some of their workshop times called “walk a mile in my shoes”. On the ground where different words of trauma experienced. It absolutely broke my heart to hear some of the stories and ways these youth had been hurt and abandoned.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I began photography just as a hobby 14 years ago when my daughter was a toddler. I started taking some friends family pictures and it just absolutely took off from there. I focused on wedding photography for about 10 years and then moved to portrait and branding photography. My passion is capturing women entrepreneurs and giving them content that focuses on their specific genre of business. I love supporting other fellow women entrepreneurs. I feel what sets me apart is how creative and authentic my brand session are. I love to dig into interests and favorite types of locations so I can style a customized shoot thats fits them perfectly. I don’t want these to be regular headshots. I am most proud of what I have created with my branding business. I have been able to serve so many women and give them confidence with the images they provide on their websites and socials.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Like I said before I shot weddings for 10 years. Within those years I worked with so many amazing clients and was able to travel all over the united states shooting incredible venues and styled weddings. It became difficult missing Saturday events and special trips with my girls and I knew it was time to pivot and give myself more time with my family and still be able to do photography on a different schedule. I took a friends brand images and absolutely fell in love with this type of photography and the clients I would serve. I love encouraging my clients and seeing them look at their images and see their true beauty. Being able to have my Saturdays back and the ability to be more available and intentional with my girls was worth all the change.
Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?
This story still makes my stomach turn. In photography you can get all the backup equipment, charges, batteries, etc.. all you want and technology will still fail you. I had just shot a wedding at Mackinaw Island. It was absolutely breathtaking and the images I got were so spectacular. I was just getting ready to download the images in the card reader and the card readers corrupted. I had lost all of the wedding images. I will never forget the sick feeling I had in that moment thinking what am I going to tell my bride that her wedding images are gone? I purchased recovery software to see if I could retrieve the corrupted images and I am SO SO thankful to say I was able to acquire all the images back. I don’t think there is a time I have felt more relief and excitement. I was able to deliver my clients gallery of images to them on time which was an incredible blessing. Sometimes things can happen in life that you have no control over and you are unable to find a solution. I am so grateful that was not the case in this scenario.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: @amseyslife
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amseystudios