Feature Photographer: Amy Sprunger

Today, we've got another Feature Photographer interview! Amy Sprunger is an Indiana-based photographer who especially loves shooting weddings. You can find Amy on her blog, facebook and twitter. Thanks so much for taking the time to be part of our project, Amy, and letting us get to know you and your work a little better!

1. What sparked your interest in photography? How old were you? 

My interest in photography began when I was 9 years old.  My great-grandfather was a photographer. Although I never met him I feel as though I inherited his love and passion for photography.  My interest in photography wasn’t just sparked. It was born into me.

2. What are your favorite sessions, subject, or situations to photograph?

  Hands down weddings are my favorite situation to photograph.  Nothing makes me happier.  Even my husband realizes that my love for wedding photography is over the top.  Since I was a little girl I have loved weddings. As a grown woman I love them still.  I shoot 25 weddings per year.  I get goose bumps every time a bride comes down the aisle.  I love being there for my wedding couples and seeing the love between their family and friends.  It makes me so happy.

3. What's in your camera bag? 

First - let’s just talk about the bag!  My favorite camera bag is my Cheeky Lime Classic Bag in Teal. I am going to give you the non-obvious items first.  I always carry lip gloss, mascara, tissues, deodorant and perfume in my bag. A girl never knows when she’ll need a fast touch up. I also carry business cards and my business ink pens to hand out if someone asks for information while I’m on the job.

Also in my camera bag.

Nikon D800
Nikon D300
SB 800 Flash
SB 900 Flash
Pocket Wizards
Nikon 50mm 1.4
Nikon 85mm 1.8
Nikon 10.5mm 2.8 fisheye
Nikon 17-55mm 2.8
Nikon 70-200mm 2.8 VR II
Gary Fong Light-sphere Collapsible
Lots of fully charged batteries
Extra memory cards

4. Most memorable "on the job" moment?

The most memorable moment in my career was in July 2012. I photographed the funeral of a soldier (Spc. Nicholas Taylor) from my hometown. He was killed in action. I knew him personally and had photographed him for many years.  There are no words to describe the humility and honor I felt while in the midst of thousands of people at his funeral.  The sacredness, the sadness and even the happy tears were overwhelming. There were many times when I had to remove myself emotionally from the setting in order to do my job.

5. How do you balance your business with your family or social life? 

Because weddings take up half of my Saturday’s each year I do not shoot on Sunday.   I use Sunday to spend time with my family and to hit the recharge button in church.  There are times during the year when I put a big X on my calendar.  I don’t allow myself to schedule shoots on those days.  

6. What has been your favorite photography related accomplishment?

I can pinpoint a lot of little moments. One was when I moved my business from a home based business to a storefront business.  I felt so blessed by the amount of people who attended the ribbon cutting ceremony held by the Chamber of Commerce.  Cars were lined up on both sides of the street for that moment.   I have future accomplishments on my bucket list. Shooting a celebrity wedding is on that list.

7. What has been your biggest business blunder or embarrassing moment? 

Believe me there isn’t just one!  But I will tell you about a huge blunder that I made in 2010. My family traveled with me while I shot a wedding in Michigan. After the wedding we headed to Mackinac Island, MI for a few days of R&R.  I had my Nikon D300 and my Nikon 17-55 2.8 lens in my bag at the time.  I didn’t have my camera secured in my bag the way I should have. The camera fell out onto the asphalt.  My lens snapped right off the camera.  I was so mad at myself and when the repair bill came back from Nikon I was even more disgusted.

8.  What do you hope people take away from your work?

 Sometimes people come to the studio or even to their own wedding and lack confidence and self-esteem.  I love when my time with them is over and they tell me that they had never felt beautiful until they saw their photos.  I want people to leave their photo sessions with a spring in their step and a boost in their soul.

9. Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I am a warm fuzzy kind of girl.  If I am at a wedding or another event with camera in hand I look for situations to photograph that I can feel with my heart.  Not every photo on the check off list is that way, but when I shoot a moment that I can feel - I am very inspired.  Believe it or not my clients inspire me all of the time.  I do love them.

10. How has photography shaped the way you see the world?

Besides seeing the world with Bokeh?  I have learned from experience that you never know when a photo you take will become someone’s most valuable possession.  I often refer to my job as a happy job.  But when someone is holding your work in their hand and it is all they have left of their loved one you realize that photography is an important job.

And lastly, give us your best photography related tip.

  Know your camera. Understand how to take properly exposed photos so that you are never embarrassed to show someone your work straight out of the camera.

Thanks so much, Amy! Your images are beautiful!

And remember to check out all of her work her blog and facebook!