When this crazy passion for photography first started, I joined a few forums. Among these was a fabulous site called, Clickinmoms. If you have even the slightest interest in photography and want to join up with other passionate camera fiends, you must check it out! It has been some of the best money I’ve invested in photography so far. Among learning a ton, I have met and befriended many other photographers from all over the world.
Among these was a photographer with a name even more difficult to spell than mine, if you can believe it. Amii Wroblewski and I joined Clickinmoms at around the same time. We’ve enjoyed bouncing business ideas off each other and well as sharing our latest sessions and favorite shots. I admire her for her affinity for marketing as well as her amazing portrait work. I’ve watched her photography grow and her business flourish. Her passion for people and photography is obvious when you see the beauty and truth in her work with seniors.
Hi Amii,
Where are you from?
Kind of all over but I was born and raised in Arkansas until I was 7 or 8.
Where is home now?
About 30 minutes north of Dallas….I’ve been here for almost 20 years.
Are you formally educated or self-taught in photography?
Self-taught but I would LOVE to take some film classes.
What is your favorite kind of session to shoot and why?
Definitely seniors! They are so full of life, want their pictures taken and they are just starting to come into their own skin and learning to be comfortable in it. Their’s something really beautiful in watching them hover somewhere between adolescence and adulthood.
When shooting seniors, how do you form the kind of relationship them that results in such stunning images?
I spend a LOT of time getting to know my clients before the session. I usually meet them in person before they book a session so they understand my style and what I’m about. I ask them what their plans are for their future, how their family/friends would describe them, what their favorite music is, etc. Asking both the senior and the parents what their expectations are from the shoot helps me create images that everyone will love too!
Talk to me about personal projects. Are they important and what have you done lately?
Personal photography projects? Um, I wish I had the time! I have dabbled with film lately and working with film is so rewarding. I’ve tried to work with a homemade pinhole camera but I have yet to get any decent results yet!
How do you stay motivated and your photography current?
I have a vision for what I want the outcome to be with a session way before I have the session and that alone is motivation enough. I think the fun thing with senior photography is that you have to be ever-evolving and constantly pushing the limit because seniors love to see previous sessions and say “I want that”. Of course, I don’t want each session to be the same and that’s both challenging and freeing at the same time.
If you could be invisible for one day with your camera…
Oh I would LOVE to hang out with my son at school…just to see how he interacts with others and to see how he works.
Name a photographer you would like to take a portrait of?
Chelsey Mach of MachC Photography….hands down. She has been my business mentor even before I was officially in business and I believe that Chelsey has helped me learn to make smart business decisions that many seasoned professionals are just learning to do. Plus she is a 4th generation Alaskan and there is something so mysterious and charming about that to me, especially since I’ve never met her and I’ve never been to Alaska!
What’s your best advice for balancing work and family?
Make sure to have the world’s most supportive and understanding spouse! I seriously could not do what I do without my husband’s help. I also get a ton of help and support from my parents who live down the street from us.
What’s in your camera bag?
I’m a “keep it simple” kind of girl and I have my 5D Mark II, a new 50mm 1.4, an 85mm 1.8 (LOVE) and a grey card. That’s it!
When you’re not photographing, where can we find you?
Sad to say but usually at my computer. I’m constantly trying to make things better for my business and my clients and that translates into lots of computer time. Other than that, I love to be out by the pool with my family.
If not a photographer what would you have been?
I’ve always been involved with creative things. I used to teach piano while I was in college, I had a catering business in my late teens/early 20′s and I do a lot of graphic design for my full-time job. There is just no telling what I would be if I wasn’t a photographer! A painter? A circus juggler? I was always told that the sky is the limit so I’ve always been pushed to follow my dreams…no matter how crazy they have been.
If you could live anywhere on this awesome planet where would you build your dream home?
Definitely not any more north than the Dallas area but I would say somewhere with land (where you can’t see your neighbors)…and near the beach would be pretty cool!
What talent would you most like to have?
Is “super mom” a talent? If so, that’s the talent I want! I would love to be fluent in a few languages. I’ve been dreaming of the day where I get to visit France for the first time and I can carry on conversations with the locals in French.
What are the three words your spouse would use to describe you?
Polite, Classy, Confident
Something that is over rated…
Oh gosh…I don’t know. Schedules? I’m not a scheduled person at all and find it really restricting to have to be on a schedule, which is why I don’t limit how long my photography sessions run. I’m so blessed to be able to work at my own pace/schedule.
Your favorite movie of all time?
I don’t know if I have a favorite (I don’t watch many movies or a lot of tv) but I usually love children’s movies. Tim Burton’s version of Alice in Wonderland is pretty inspiring to me as a photographer….I would love to do a really theatrical session like that for a senior…over the top, glam/costume make-up, etc.
If you could correct one mistake you made while starting your photography business, what would it be?
You know, I don’t know if I have made any Earth-shattering mistakes. I’ve definitely made small changes along the way based on things that weren’t working but having a business mentor, wonderful support with family/friends, and just taking some risks really made opening a business a no-brainer for me.
Name one blog you stalk regularly
Michelle Moore…I love her fashion editorial-style senior sessions.
Can you share with us some of your favorite images that best represent your work?
See, I told you she was amazing!
Amii’s work can be found HERE.
Thank you, Amii!
Great interview!
Hi Amii! Can I join the “tough to spell name” club? LOL! It’s nice to read this interview and learn more about you.
Great job! Both of you!
Nice job! Love her work too!
i really enjoyed this… amii does such great work, and wendy, i always love your interviews!
Love her work! And yours too!
WOW what a wonderful interview, 1st from the great questions asked by Wendy, then the answers by Amii! I am in awe of Amii’s talents and gifts! She has always been such an inspiration to anyone who knows her and is such a spirit filled person! This interview made me smile and gave me goose bumps! My cup runneth over!
Another excellent interview with a wonderful photographer! I always look forward to these 20 on Tuesdays!
Great job to the both of you!
What a great read, ladies!! Interesting to learn more about Amii…the queen of seniors!
She is a total rock star! Was a bunch of fun to get to read these! Thanks honey!!
Adore Amii’s work! Great interview!
Great interview Amii! Leaves me itching to get busy with seniors!!
Great interview with a great subject!
Very cool Amii. I love your work as well.
Great images and fun interview! Always a fan of your 20 on Tuesdays!
I’ve loved watching Amii grow on CM. Her talent and business knowledge continue to amaze me. Thanks for sharing!
You are both represented beautifully here! A great read!
Fantastic to read! Thank you for sharing!
Great interview!! Amii is such an inspiration with her drive and dedication to photography!!
This is wonderful!!!! I am so inspired by you both
Great interview and beautiful images! Loved it!
I missed this last week! Fantastic interview… I love how Amii rocks her camera