I don’t often bring my camera places. And I usually get asked why not?

I see everyone have their phones out, cameras, iPads even. Snapping away.

I could never explain it quite right because I honestly didn’t know. I love taking photos. I nerd out and get so into it. But for some reason when it’s my fam or my kids I mostly don’t want to.

Then I watched The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. If you haven’t seen it… please do. In it Walter is trying to find the famous photographer Sean O’Connell because Walter can’t find the photo meant for the Life magazine cover. When Walter finds Sean perched on a mountain in Afghan Himalayas trying to capture a photo of a snow leopard who has just appeared Walter asks: “When are you going to take it? - Sean O'Connell: Sometimes I don't. If I like a moment, for me, personally, I don't like to have the distraction of the camera. I just want to stay in it.”

That’s when I realized, when it’s my life, these fleeting moments, I like to be in them. Not looking through a lens. Not messing with my settings or zooming in to make sure it’s sharp. Just watching. Just being in that moment. All the way present in it.

I went to do a Fresh 48 session at the hospital the other day and I loved being the photojournalist. Just capturing all I saw. The moments + the details. It made me realize I want you to be in the moment for your life too. I am now offering Photojournalist options. This can be for sports, Fresh 48 or moments that do not require staging, posing or direction. Basically if you want something captured how it’s happening without distraction this is for you. (Not available for weddings sorry!) Message me for rates + details.

Xo-🦄🌈🌟 Amanda