Photography Spotlight with Amy Cantrell

​One of the significant benefits of social media is the way we're able to share images today, and running across this one was a lot of fun to find. It's a collaborative effort between two great friends, and it's a kick for me to have hung out with both of them over the years.

Amy Cantrell is the photographer, and Judy Host is the subject. Judy posted it on her Facebook page on Saturday with the following comment: 

"It isn’t very often when I let someone else take the reigns and photograph me, but when your very talented friend says, I want to photograph you, you just say, OK! This image was created by #AmyCantrell after Imaging here in Atlanta. Styled by me, (I had to get in there somehow), lol. Thank you, Amy."

If you know Amy and Judy, there are a few common denominators - starting their passion for the craft, their position of never compromising on quality, and finishing with their zest for life and having fun. They also share a love for their quest of never-ending education, experimenting with technology and always pushing the creative envelope. Click on the image to link to Amy's website and see more of her work.

Photographed with a Nikon D800 and 24-120 mm lens it was captured at f7.1 @ 1/200 sec ISO 500 at 78mm.  And I love Amy's comment: "Yes, I admit to shooting it in "P" mode!"  She went on to say:

"It was shot in what is basically their backyard with all natural light. Judy did all the retouching with a little input from Eddie and me. I would have retouched it similarly had I been home on my desktop. I am amazed how quickly and easily Judy works on her laptop. I think the background processing/artwork Judy did to the image is what takes it to the next level. 

It's funny how Judy and I are similar and then totally opposite. She's all natural light (until recently) while I mostly use lights or at least manipulate it. It's the opposite in the processing of images, she excels at using artistic treatments, and my images are realistically based, even the ones with crazy amounts of retouching. Although I've been planning for a while to head a bit more in this direction it just hasn't happened yet."

What a kick to share an image like this with two artists who have inspired so many of us and are also the very best of friends. I've written many times that the best part of this industry has NOTHING to do with photography but the incredible friendships that come out of everyone's love for the craft!

Judy's website is just a click away. Both of these outstanding artists should be on your radar! A BIG thanks to Amy and Judy for letting me share the image and the backstory here on the SCU blog!