Amber Morris Photography

One of my favorite holiday traditions - taking Santa photos for Ozark Center's staff members' children at their annual Christmas event. 🎅🏼

This is my fourth year taking their pics (or maybe fifth? I lose count 😅), and it's so special getting to see the same kids come back each year! I don't see these kids the rest of the year, so it's always astonishing to see how much they've grown.

And though the kids don't remember me - that random photographer lady they see for 5-10 minutes a year - I definitely remember them. And then each year, there are some new faces too (shout out to Baby Swearingen!). I can't wait to see them grow year by year too. 💝

Many thanks to the amazing humans who bore their vulnerabilities for this year's body image photo shoot, Re-Claimed Beauty. Check out the caption of each image for each model's own words about how they are reclaiming their beauty.
If you missed last week's opening night of Ozark Center's Innovative Solutions art show at Post Art Library, there's still time to check out! These photos as well as art from painters, sculptors and poets from our area will be on display through the end of the month. Go check it out!

✨ Sneak peek from this year's body positivity shoot! ✨ Be sure to join us for the opening night of Ozark Center's Innovative Solutions: Reflections of Hunger art show to see the full collection of images!

📅 Date: June 29
⌚ Time: 5:30pm
🏢 Venue: Post Art Library (inside Joplin Public Library)
📍 Address: 1901 E. 20th Street, Joplin, MO

The flowers that survived yesterday’s body image photo shoot are brightening my workspace today! Can’t wait to share the finished pics in the coming weeks!

How to get little boys excited about pretty flowers in a field? Give them a spy glass and let their sense of adventure run wild!

If you’ve wondered why I’m such a fan of lifestyle photography over studio photography – this is it. As much as I love the perfectly balanced lighting and controlled climate in the studio, there’s something magical about capturing moments like this in your home by the light of the sun streaming through the window.

I had so much fun photographing this year’s Freeman 5K and Walk for Autism! Many thanks to all who came out and supported this great cause!

I’m proud to sponsor this year’s Freeman 5K and Walk for Autism! All proceeds of the event benefit program development and scholarship assistance at Bill & Virginia Leffen Center for Autism. If you haven't registered yet, you can still sign up online at runsignup.com/Freeman5K!

Many thanks to Children's Miracle Network, Freeman Auxiliary, Leggett & Platt, Amber Morris Photography, BBC Electrical Services, Crossland Construction, and CGA Architects for being sponsors for this year's Freeman 5K and Walk for Autism Awareness!

Meet Ellis 🤍

I could absolutely feel the love radiating from this crew in this extended family session. I had so much fun hanging out with them to capture these moments!

Remember snow, you guys? Remember how great that was? I mean, yes, my legs were practically numb from the cold after this session, but guys. I really hate heat and humidity. Fall, please come soon.

Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers, grandfathers and father figures!

Rolling into the work week like –

With age comes maturity. Unless you’re taking family photos with your sister, and then all bets are off.

Excuse the cell phone photo, friends, but tonight is the night! Join us at Joplin Public Library for Ozark Center’s Reflections of Hunger art show, complete with graffiti mirrors, body positive photo area and light refreshments. We’re here from 5:30 - 7:30 tonight!

It's now easier to get a quote from Amber Morris Photography.

TW: Body image

My page has been quiet for a while as I've taken a step back for a season, but this project was too important to pass up. And these images are too impactful to not share. The words are their own, and I'm so honored that these amazing individuals allowed me to come alongside them in their strength and vulnerability for this series.

These photos will be on display at Ozark Center's Innovative Solutions: Reflections of Hunger art show at Joplin Public Library on June 2, along with paintings, sculptures, poetry and more from artists in our community. I hope you'll join me in supporting them all at this sure to be wonderful event.

PS - Shoutout to Joplin Empire Market for letting us use their space for this shoot!

Sometimes your youngest finds a piece of an old costume, decides it’s a Santa belt, and insists on wearing it for Christmas photos. Not what I envisioned when I planned the shoot, but it’s definitely uniquely “us.” And isn’t that what family photos are all about? 😅

Merry Christmas Eve, friends! May your holiday be filled with joy and memories to be made!

It finally looks and feels like fall! 🍂 So of course, I couldn't resist a fall photo shoot with my favorite kiddos. It's practically a fall tradition in our house!

I had so much fun hanging out with this little family! Fresh air, a heap of sunshine and a pinch of two-year-old mischief made this a beautiful session!

If anyone has a hamster they want to book a photo session for, you know where to find me! 🐹 😆

Having A Bad Day? Here’s 48 Wild Hamsters If I tell you to imagine a hamster you would probably picture the furball in a cage, on a wheel. But while these rodents are incredibly popular as pets, some of them still live in the wild. There are about 26 different species of hamster that are spending their days away from captivity, and Bored Pa...

Sometimes beautiful photos are perfectly posed, taken in clothing bought specifically for the occasion at a place chosen for its idyllic backdrop. Sometimes, they're taken peeking through the doorway in your home as your youngest plays on his Kindle. But the beauty isn't in the background or the outfit or even the pose - it's in the emotion it evokes in the family it was taken for.

Who else is beyond excited for a long weekend? 🙋‍♀️ Wishing you and yours have a wonderful, relaxing holiday weekend!

𝗦𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗸! If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. And if you can't get them to stand still for a photo, let them run in circles around their grandparents!

My kid - "Whatcha doing, Mommy?"
Me - "Getting a headshot for my website."
My kid - "Ok! Um, Mommy? I just need a headshot, too." 🤣

Note: As his momma, I adore this pic. As a photographer, though, I have to say that this is why my client guide advises against graphic tees and neon colors. (That yellow-green color cast under his chin! 😫) Oh well. It's better to get the pic in the moment it happens than to perfectly style and miss this cuteness!