Meet Amy Hodges | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amy Hodges and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
To not chase. When I first started my business I was constantly chasing clients. Spending so much time scanning Facebook, putting my name in every single hat I could possibly find. Although, putting yourself out there is necessary to starting your business and getting your name out there, it needs to be done with care and intention. It was extremely draining to me to be constantly trying to “win” clients over. Once I stopped chasing people and just showed up as who I am and allowed my business to flow to me it was a lot more peaceful and fulfilling. Chasing clients sucked the joy out of photography for me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
One thing that sets me apart from a lot of other photographers is my personality and ability to connect with anyone and have an enjoyable time.
I am most proud of the pivot I made in my photography career from working it full-time to working it part-time via word of mouth. This allows me to feel alive and really fulfilled every time I shoot a family/couple/etc vs being completely burnt out and drained feeling the overload of editing and keeping up.
I started photography when I was 14 but what kick started my career was my when my partner and father to my youngest son died in 2020. I was essentially a stay at home mom at the time and so I needed a way to support me and my 3 kids. I launched my photography business and it really fell into place for me. I learned a lot, have had so many clients who have supported me throughout the years by maintaining our relationship and quite frankly have had the absolute best clients any photographer could ask for.
I have had to learn so many things, but one of the main things I have learned is to not sacrifice myself for becoming “big” in the photography world. The chase has always taken the life out of me. When I just show up in the world of social media, stay consistent with sharing my shoots, and be myself, clients come from anywhere and I make the most wonderful connections.
I want the world to know that I am not for every client. I am casual, laid-back, I love to laugh a lot and joke with my clients and I am not super high-end. The experience that you get with me is quality over quantity. Relationships with my clients are so important to me. I don’t treat people like they are just a money exchange. I value our time together and love making new memories during the shoots that I have. I think that is more or less my ultimate goal.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to some of my favorite hiking spots: The Pineries, Garden of the Gods and Section 16. We would eat at places like Snooze, Shugas, Denver Biscuit Company, and Stellinas Pizza. We would visit Manitou and go play games at the Penny Arcade. I’d also take them to the El Pomar Pump Track so we could screw around on our MTB’s. Then we would go to a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater. I love spending time outside and in nature so hiking here is my top thing that I love. We have so many vast and differing landscapes in Colorado Springs.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The one person who helped me out so much in the very beginning of my career was Grace Gatto with Grace Gatto Photography. She took me under her wing, helped me with my contract, answered questions I had and even asked me to second shoot for her at a couple of weddings. Her mentorship gave me the confidence to keep going, to continue expanding in my photography and to be myself when working with clients.

Website: https://amynicolephotography.org

Instagram: @_amynicolephotography

Facebook: _amynicolephotography

Image Credits
All images are taken and owned by me (amynicolephotography llc)