We are so thrilled to welcome Amber Thorson to the blog today and as one of our newest Unraveled Expert Artists. Amber is an Unraveled OG who probably should have applied months and months ago, but she waited until her confidence level matched her work level. We are so proud of her for stepping into the artist she is today.

Amber is lover of her faith, family, travel, sunshine, hiking, and sunsets. She bought her first camera, a Canon Rebel, right before her third son was born in 2016 and was terrified. In fact, her husband learned the basics of her camera before she mustered up the courage. Finally, with his encouragement, she started taking photographs of her boys. In the fall of 2017, a friend reached out for a session and in 2018 she started her photography business. New dreams were born as a big transformation began. As they say, the rest is history. Amber is a family photographer located in Southeast Minnesota with her husband and three boys. While she loves to photograph her clients in her beautiful home state she also loves to travel for sessions. Photography has quite literally changed her life in so many ways but the best part of this whole journey is the confidence it has brought. It has allowed a very self conscious and self doubting woman come out of her shell. Her constant drive when faced with new challenges is to be the best example for her boys. She wants them to know that dreams really do come true if you work hard and believe that you can do it.

Unraveled Expert Artists (UEAs) are leaders in our community and the first to be considered for instructor opportunities. Learn more HERE.

FOR MORE INSPIRATION FROM AMBER:

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Here is Amber, Unraveled…

What inspires your art? 

My boys, motherhood, childhood, love, and connection are what inspire me most. I love to feel true and raw emotion when I look at photographs.

What do you shoot with? Camera body and favorite lens? 

I shoot with two Sony a7iii’s and Sony Zeiss 35mm 1.4 and Sony Zeiss 50mm 1.4. I occasionally shoot with a Sony 85mm FE 1.8.c

What other ways do you express your creativity?

I love trying new things within photography and shooting for myself. There are many days I will load my boys up, head on the road, and just go explore.

How do you de-stress at the end of the day? 

I love trying new things within photography and shooting for myself. There are many days I will load my boys up, head on the road, and just go explore.

What kind of music do you listen to while editing? 

I go through spirts when it comes to what I listen to while editing. I will sometimes get on different self help or photography podcasts. Other times I will listen to music anything from Christian music, to 80s/90s/early 2000s, to classic rock, to folk, to classic country. Haha! I know I am all over the map with this one. There honestly isn't a genre out there that I don't love. It all depends on the day!

What is your favorite book? 

You will usually find me reading any book that will encourage growth both spiritual and for self. I have read so many but one that I really loved and read a couple of years ago was Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. Another great one I just finished is Time Machines Work by Frank Tate.

Name one movie that inspires you. 

Oh man I have so many but one of my all time favorite movies that comes to mind is I Can Only Imagine. This movie is so uplifting and inspirational and brings me to tears every single time.

How do you handle self-doubt or creative slumps? 

Creating for myself! When I get out of my own head and create purely for me it becomes pure magic for what I feel my heart wants to create. I will also put my camera away for a bit and put my phone down and spend time with the people in front of me. Taking a break from social media helps me immensely.

What has been the most difficult part of your creative journey?

Getting out of my own way and not letting others opinions matter as much. Understanding that not everyone will love my work and that is totally ok! Understanding what I truly love about my art has made it so much easier to love what I create.

What is your favorite pizza topping?

Everything....I can honestly say I will eat just about anything on my pizza from sausage to onions to olives to mushrooms! I love it all!

What is your most favorite kind of light and why?

I absolutely love sunset light! I love to shoot into the light as it sets and love the direct blue light after sunset. Those two are hands down my favorites!

Who is one of your favorite photographers? 

I have so many favorite photographers but one who has recently changed my life in so many ways is Stormy Solis. She really taught me to find myself by creating what my heart wants and the rest will fall into place.

What is your favorite course or lesson at Unraveled? 

My favorite course in Unraveled is Co Hodges Unposed. It used to be offered as a workshop and was the very first I ever did through Unraveled. It was exactly what I needed at the time. The course was super involved and taught me how to look for and go after those unposed authentic moments I love so much.