Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Fondriest.
Hi Amy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My interest in photography really started in high school. I had opportunities to enter school competitions, and I always found myself paying attention to the photographers around me. I remember watching the photographer during my sister’s senior photos and later at weddings. When I attended sporting events, I would notice the photographers there too, and I would sometimes go up and talk with them just to learn more about what they were doing.
Later, after I became a mom and my husband was serving in the Navy, professional photography was not always something we could afford. I wanted beautiful photos of my children and our family, but hiring a photographer who could give us the quality I wanted was often out of reach. That became part of what pushed me to start learning for myself.
I started slowly with my iPhone, learning how to compose an image, find good light, and capture meaningful moments. Then a woman at my church generously offered me a Canon Rebel T5 camera. That camera really changed things for me. Once I started learning how to use it, you rarely saw me without it.
From there, I practiced anywhere I could. I started taking photos at my church and at the school where I taught, photographing events, students, sports, and everyday moments. Every opportunity gave me a chance to learn, experiment, and become more confident behind the camera.
In 2021, I officially started Amy J Photography. I began by photographing families and senior sessions, and little by little the business continued to grow.
I have had several hobbies over the years, but I knew pretty quickly that photography was not going to be just another hobby for me. I developed a real passion for capturing the history of the families I photograph. I do not just see a session as taking pretty pictures. I think about the fact that these images may one day be the photographs their children and grandchildren look back on. They become part of a family’s story.
Another lesson I learned along the way was that I did not need to keep up with every photography trend. It can be easy to look at what other photographers are doing and feel like you need to change your work to match what is popular. Eventually, I realized that the right clients will find my photography because they connect with my style and the way I see and capture people. And it is completely okay if my style is not for everyone. That realization gave me much more confidence to create work that feels authentic to me.
I am also a full-time teacher at Providence Christian School, and one of the classes I teach is yearbook. That has become another part of photography that I really love because I get to teach young people how to capture meaningful moments for themselves. There is something special about helping students understand that they are not just taking pictures for a yearbook—they are documenting a piece of their school’s history.
I love what I do as a teacher, but I also love being able to step out of the classroom, step behind my lens, and create beautiful memories for families in my community. Photography gives me a different creative outlet, while still allowing me to connect with people and tell their stories.
One thing that has always been important to me with my business is keeping photography accessible. I know photographers price their work in different ways, and I respect that, but I never want to forget what it felt like to be a young military family struggling financially and simply wanting a nice family photo. That experience has stayed with me. I want people to be able to have meaningful, quality photographs without feeling like preserving their family memories is completely out of reach.
One of the most meaningful moments for me came when one of my former art students reached out and asked me to photograph her wedding. It was my first wedding, and it felt like such a full-circle moment. I have always loved both art and teaching, so being able to photograph the wedding of a student I had once taught in art class was incredibly special. I was able to use something I love creatively to capture memories she and her family will have forever.
Photography has grown into so much more than something I enjoy doing. It brings together so many parts of who I am—an artist, a teacher, a mom, and someone who deeply values preserving moments. What started as a way to create meaningful photos for my own family has become a way for me to help preserve the stories and history of other families too.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not always been a smooth road. One of my first challenges was realizing that my original camera was great for learning, but if I wanted to produce professional-quality images, I needed to invest in professional equipment. That was a big decision financially, and I spent a lot of time researching what would be best for me. I eventually invested in a Sony Alpha 1 with a 50mm, 24–70mm f/4, and 70–200mm f/2.8 lens.
Another challenge has been balancing photography with being a full-time teacher, coach, wife, and mom. My schedule can get very full, so I have had to learn how to make room for something I am passionate about while still being present in all of those other roles.
I have also had to learn not to compare my work to other photographers or chase every new trend. Over time, I became more confident in my own style and realized that the right clients will choose me because they connect with my work.
Through all of it, I have learned to keep growing, trust my creativity, and remember why I started which was to give families beautiful images that preserve their memories without making professional photography feel completely out of reach.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Amy J Photography serves the Tampa Bay area, and my focus is people and their stories. I photograph families, seniors, couples, weddings, events, and sports, but what connects all of my work is the desire to preserve a moment in someone’s life.
My style is vibrant, expressive, and centered on genuine connection. I love creating beautiful portraits, but I am always looking for the moments in between too, like the laugh, the glance, the silly expression, the way a parent looks at their child, or an athlete completely in their element. I do not want to manufacture a perfect-looking moment. I want to capture the people in front of me as they really are.
I also do not build my work around photography trends. I love color, natural expressions, and images that still feel like the people and places I photographed. I have learned that my style does not have to be for everyone. The people who connect with my work are the clients I want to serve.
What sets Amy J Photography apart is the way I approach each session as part of someone’s history. A senior will one day look back on who they were at eighteen. Children will grow up. Athletes will eventually play their last game. Weddings become anniversaries, and family seasons change faster than we realize. I photograph people, but what I am really trying to preserve is their story.
It is also important to me to keep professional photography reasonably accessible. I remember being a young military family and wanting beautiful family photos but not always being able to afford them. I never want to forget that feeling as my business continues to grow.
More than anything, I want clients to leave with images that feel like them and that they will be excited to look back on years from now.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think curiosity and a willingness to keep learning have been the most important qualities in my success. I have never been afraid to ask questions. Even before I owned a professional camera, I was the person at a sporting event who would walk up to a photographer and ask about what they were doing.
Learning is a huge part of who I am. I am a full-time teacher while also being a full-time online college student, and I will finish my bachelor’s degree this October. That has been a journey of its own and has taught me a lot about perseverance, balancing responsibilities, and continuing to work toward a goal even when life is already busy.
Photography has been much the same. There is always something new to learn, whether it is a different technique, a challenging lighting situation, or a better way to capture someone’s story. I don’t ever want to reach a point where I think I know everything. I think staying curious, being willing to grow, and continuing to push myself creatively have been some of the biggest reasons I have been able to keep moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amyjphotography.com
