Amber Lea Photography

Pretty little souvenir from the first good monsoon of the summer. It never gets old ♥️ 🌧️ 🌵

First 1/2 marathon! Way to go son!

It’s about to go down with a Teri Mead Manhattan. I may not be as entrenched in the wedding photography community in this season of life, but friendships like this that came from those years working with some of the best of the best make our days as wedding photographers absolutely irreplaceable. & know how to make you feel simultaneously spoiled and so at home.

Just one of my favorite photos of one of my favorite girls. what a joy it is to see you grow into such a remarkable young lady. Your love for others is infectious. You are wise, kind, beautiful and blessing to all who know you!

Oh my dear, lovely, , what an extraordinary young woman you are! I am in awe of your accomplishments. You are a world shaker and I can’t wait to see what you do with this next chapter of your life!

A couple years ago I overheard him tell his uncle that he’d really like to do sports but I was too busy with weddings to come watch him.

Gut. Punch.

Today he came and sat with me in the stands between races and said, “Thank you for being here.” - letting go of my identity as a wedding photographer has not been easy. I loved it. I still love it. But I love this more.

Oh and he PR’d today, shaving 6 seconds off his time. No big deal.

It was a splendid day filled with beautiful scenery and people I love. How good is my God to give me so many moments that bring me such joy!

Our luminous, loyal, loquacious, larkish and oh so lovely, leap year Lu is 12. And like every year before, I am thoroughly, unabashedly delighted that she is mine.

Happy birthday my girl. I hope you felt well celebrated today!

Yesterday was extraordinarily sweet. How lucky am I to get to capture these moments for people I love?

In anticipation of my Word of the Year for 2024 here are my reflections on 2023’s word: Priority.

There is a stack of half-finished journals on my desk. The first two-thirds of each show lines of paper, soft and rippled from wear. Ink smudges bring a grimy character to gilded binding, and doodles fill margins with dog-eared corners. The signs of use leave a marked difference from the empty pages that remain. There is more to be said, but instead, the words trickle off the final entry like the trailing voice of a storyteller uncertain of where to lead you next…

I have never been good at endings.

Beginnings, infinite in their possibilities, bold in their expectations, bright and new, I see a freshly turned field of harvest just waiting to be planted. New dreams take root, and with each sprout of success follows a frenzied pursuit toward my next lofty goal. Always grasping, pressing forward, chasing productivity with gasping breaths, my addiction to performing, fueling my pursuits. After 15 years of business ownership, my eyes have been trained to look out for my next new beginning.

But a decade and a half spent in a flurried cycle of build and rebuild has left me chasing a fleeting high, insatiable in its quest. My entire sense of self-worth is (was?) wrapped into my chosen identity of Entrepreneur. Note the capital E, this is a proper pronoun with a weighty title that is ambiguously mysterious and undefined. We’re not talking about professions here; no, this is the title of Entrepreneur, worn like a scribbled badge at a networking mixer. ”Hello, my name is Amber. Photographer. Copywriter. Business Owner. Entrepreneur.” If my introduction didn’t give you a clue, the flustered frenzy of a busy woman, sleep-deprived and bruised by any number of proverbial dropped balls, likely gave it away. It wasn’t a pretty look, but it was MINE.

Every year I start off with a word. A single word to shape the year. Last January, as I journaled and dreamed about 2023, one word came forward time and again. PRIORITY. 2022 was the year I was forced into surrender, my white-knuckled grip on control pried one painful finger at a time; Jon’s surgery to remove cancer, a new teenage driver in the house, adopting our daughter, a debilitating fall and emergency surgery, weeks upon weeks of forced bed rest, and a staggering loss of income in my busiest season. Each event was an exercise in surrender.

Priority became my byproduct of surrender, a shift in focus to what matters most. When I first pressed pen to paper on New Year's Day, those flutters of anticipation for something new, PRIORITY, felt like a beginning, this beautiful uncharted opportunity to realign where I invested my time. My journal filled quickly; page after page of plans were made (and discarded), and people were hired. Priority was my magic key, the mythical loophole that was going to let me be great at .

If surrender breeds priority, then priority is the mother of bravery, and it turns the pursuit of what matters takes a hell of a lot of courage. A certain amount of bravery is required to turn talent into something extraordinary. Absolute fearlessness is required of greatness; it's a willingness to say, “I’m not afraid to fail if it means I get better.”

I have never been willing to fail. Failures are endings, and I don’t like those.

Instead, I stick to the safe perimeter, unwilling to enter the unknown. Holding tight to the comfortable identities I have crafted for myself. I wear them like a name badge sewn above my breast. Photographer. Copywriter.

But the threads holding these titles to my chest are fraying, and as I pick at those unraveling stitches, I hesitate to give that freeing pull. The kind of tug that leaves you holding a crimped bit of string in your hand and a whispered, “What have I done?” on the tip of your tongue.

I have resisted this pull for so long that the very act of not tugging on that thread feels like an act of disobedience. My draw toward priority fills every breath, a rhythmic call to pursue where God is calling. I am learning that priority isn’t the magic wand that lets me be great at everything; instead, it is an invitation to say goodbye to who I was in favor of becoming who God calls me to be.

And that is the kind of ending that is ripe with the promise of new beginnings.

“Are you still a photographer?”

I get asked this often. Short answer? Yes. How could I not be? I dedicated 15 years of my life to perfecting this craft and fine tuning my business.

But the longer, more accurate answer is, after years of building and working on my brand, I was offered my dream job marrying my two passions (copywriting and photography) that allowed me to now use my business in a way I never was able to before. I get to say, “YES” to things that make my heart happy, like this sweet engagement session last night.

The last 15 years of Amber Lea Photography have been a gift and I look forward to seeing how it changes and grows in the year to come.

Swipe 👉🏻 to see the original…

14 years and about 4 feet difference exist between photos, but what’s hidden from view is the depth of their friendship. The way Jon stays up until he hears the boy’s tires turn into the drive, or how Ollie comes upstairs to talk through ideas he’s thinking through. There is a genuine respect and joy that exists between them - a quiet understanding, so similar in so many ways…yet so very different at the same time.

This is the last year we have with him before adulthood claims him. The thought both trills and grieves me. I delight in the thoughtful and wise young man he is becoming but I do so miss that energetic little boy who’s imagination drove so many of our early family adventures.

These people are near and dear to my heart.

That’s all. That’s the post.

Very grateful for our friendship, their love for my family and our time together this week.

The first time I remember seeing Jon was at church, our freshman year of college, leaning against a doorframe in a Sunday school classroom. He was wearing white jeans and a plaid button-down shirt, arms crossed, hands tucked indifferently into the crooks of his elbows. Casual. Observant. His eyes were an almost unreal color of blue, made all the more noticeable with his curl of dark brown hair swiped across his forehead. After church, I watched him peel out of the church parking lot in a vintage red mustang, tires squealing, leaving behind that smell of gas fumes that only an old mustang can. I thought he was such a bad boy.

While it turns out he’s anything but a bad boy, he does have a wicked sense of humor and that mustang engine is still the only loud thing about him. Jon moves through life with a quiet assuredness, guiding and leading in his gentle way. The roots of his character grow strong and deep, anchoring him, making him our family’s safe place.

18 years of marriage and nearly 3 decades of knowing him, and Jonathan Russell is still my favorite.

Happy anniversary. I love you.

♥️ I love being a mama to these sweet girls.

Last weekend we ventured to the Armstrong Woods north of San Francisco to capture and celebrate my dear friend from high school as she married her best friend. Vows were shared under giant redwoods, drinks and long chats were held around a fire and the wedding reception was a 5 course meal that was lingered and laughed over. Nothing was rushed, every moment was intentional and I believe it was quite possibly one of the most supremely enjoyable weekends I have ever experienced.

Her smile is sweet, but she’s a firecracker of a personality and today this little spark of joy is SEVEN! Happy birthday to our Willow!

There just aren't enough words to describe how special my Frankie B. is but I am sure going to try.

15 years ago this boy entered the world in a hurry and he's been surprising us ever since. Funny and strong, our Franklin is smart, witty, thoughtful, and loving. He is passionate. It doesn't matter what the task is, he's going to be there with everything he's got. There is a lot that makes me proud to be this boy's mama, but his kindness is by far my favorite. He's never met a creature he wont risk his life to save, his friends are his most treasured possessions, and if you are lucky enough to be loved by Franklin, then you know exactly what I mean. Happy birthday buddy! I love you so much!

As promised, part two of sneak peeks for and her handsome groom Conner. Still smiling over this beautiful day!

Planning
Florals
MUAH
Venue
Dress

As promised, part two of sneak peeks for and her handsome groom Conner. Still smiling over this beautiful day!

Planning
Florals
MUAH
Venue
Dress

These sneak peeks don’t even scratch the surface of how lovely yesterday was. was the most exquisite bride and the entire day was pure joy. There will definitely be a part 2 tomorrow because I have too many favorites to stick to one post!
Florals
Planning
MUAH
Video
Venue
Dress

It’s wedding day for Rorie and Conner and this is a special one for us. Their wedding is at the same spot proposed + we get to work our friends ♥️ it’s guaranteed to be a lovely day all around!

This past week we’ve been on an much over due vacation with my family, my sister & little niece Ellie. We’ve really packed it in: California Science Center, Universal, Disney, the beach and now we’re in San Diego while I prepare for an event with (if you’re in the area, come join us! It’s free! Saturday July 8th from 11-5 .828!) so naturally I had to take some updated family photos while we’re here. Shout out to my sis for snapping that first shot of my crew - our last family photo those two teens were still shorter than me.

“Mama, look at this beautiful view!” - a sweet moment made possible by saying yes to something new.

My relationship with social media is on again off again and I find myself once again trying to find a way to show up in this space that feels honest - especially in a season where everything is changing.

I’m still a photographer. I’m still a copywriter. And right now that means doing both of those things as part of an in house marketing agency for a company and product I’m really proud to work for ().

You’ll still see work here from time to time. I’ve worn the hat of entrepreneurship for 15 years and I’m finding it’s a hard one to take off!

So here’s to new beginnings and more moments like this one ♥️

It’s Jon Russell Day!! The best day of the year... Today marks 47 years of Jon’s sweet, humble spirit and I thank God for the gift of loving and being loved by him. Happy birthday to the man who can fix just about anything, cares for his family, is wise, gentle and always makes me laugh. I adore you Jonathan Russell! Happy birthday! 📷:

If you don’t take your dog on a run along the coast did you even have a beach wedding? was one of the most happy brides I’ve ever captured. Pure joy.

Happy Easter from our family! We hope you had a beautiful weekend!

First family hike since my surgery, and boy did it feel good to move! We went to an old favorite - Peppersauce Canyon. It was such a beautiful day! I can’t wait to get back to hiking on the regular - AZ peeps, what’s your favorite hike around here? I’m itching for my next one!

My favorite part of family photos on wedding days are always the in between moments ♥️ if your goal is for everyone to be looking and smiling at the camera, you’ll miss the magic and intimacy of genuine connection.

Tomorrow we get to witness Alisah and Josh profess their vows to one another. To promise to be by the other’s side through the good and the bad, the highs and the lows. To not let the discouragements and discomforts of this earthly life get in the way of what lasts beyond them. For me, marriage has been one of life’s greatest joys and comforts, and I am always thrilled to be a part of this joy for someone else! Can’t wait to celebrate with you two! 🤍