New Year, New Business, New Me!

Happy Spring to everyone!

I wanted to update everyone and let you know that I will now be posting and blogging on a regular basis!


Some new updates on me:


Graduated from UNM Fine Arts College in Dec. 2013 and I was selected as the student speaker!


Started my own business, Amy Ritchie Designs & Photography LLC Designed
and published my website: www.AmyRitchiePhotography.com


I am so excited to share these goals and dreams with you! It feel amazing to accomplish my goals and see my dreams become a reality! I find that it is never too late, or early, to create new dreams and goals and strive to make them happen! I am thankful for my family, friends, and everyone else who has helped me in life. Since I went live with my website I have been getting contacted and connected with new clients and customers. My website is based on my Photography, which is my main focus (no pun intended!) at the moment. I am wanting to grow and get as many new clients booked for photo sessions. I am open to new and unique photo needs and ideas so that I don't become a "normal" or boring wedding or portrait photographer.


As some of you know I am also a graphic designer. I have been creating graphically since I was 18 years old! Needless to say, I have had my fair share of designing logos, business cards, brochures cards, banners, billboards, clothing, heck, everything you can think of! I am looking to expand my graphic business along with my photography business. I wanted to have both as a business because they marry well. I can create photographs for a business as well as marketing and advertising materials. It is something I have always wanted to offer to clients. I am enjoying a school-free life at the moment. I am getting to learn and grow as a person and artist as well as a business owner. I learn new stuff every day, and I am so blessed for this opportunity.


Be sure to stay tuned for posts of pictures, inspiration, business info and lots of fun! I hope you return and follow my blog. And, if you have a blog, please let me know! I will return the favor. I hope all is well in your world.


Talk with everyone soon,


Amy Ritchie

Innocence is Sacred - Contemporary Portraiture Final

Innocence is sacred, sweet, and tragic. The memories fade and slowly dissipate over time along with the every changing mind and body. Such as a delicate rose, the young female body blossoms and glows. Her innocence and beauty become fruitful and regal as she grows. My series was inspired by the character of “Ophelia” in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. With the use of light, water, and roses I depict a beautiful young woman submerged in sorrow, anguish, and despair with her memories and water engulfing her body and soul. Intimate moments and fleeting emotions are captured through multiple perspectives and angles. We don’t know of her past, present, or future - but we engage with her for a moment that is fragile and reflective. It is within this moment, space, and time that her innocence stays sacred, sweet, and deeply tragic. 

 

 

Model: Katrina Martinez

Lighting Assistance: Michelle Kay

Amy Ritchie Photography 2013.

High Desert Fashion 2013

 

A special thanks to my model: Katrina Martinez

Photo Assistant: Michelle Kay

 

Copyright 2013. Contact to purchase images. Amy Ritchie Photography.

Distorted Memories

Distorted Memories

My family has many memories captured on film. We keep them in albums, create books from them, and have a multitude of loose photographs. We pass them along to one another to share and enjoy the moments captured on film. Its funny though, because many of us cut up or draw on the fronts and backs of the photographs. It is just something we have always done. We cut up an image to single out an individual or specific moment, and we write upon the images, I believe, for memories sake. Are we afraid we won't remember the moment after we have stopped looking upon the photograph? Many of these images are of myself, but I cannot mentally recall any of these events. But I keep them and share them in hopes to remember a moment in my life, or a moment in the life of my family members that was  special enough to capture on film. These distorted memories are covered with text, textures, and abuse that they were susceptible to throughout the years. They are coveted images that families treat as a prized possession; prized because these moments cannot be re-created physically or mentally. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holy Doors

My final photography project deals with the perception, and misconceptions of religious sanctuaries and structures. Churches, synagogues, and temples are the common names for religious sites to which people attend. New Mexico is abundant with numerous spiritual dwelling, for anyone to seek out a religion, and become a part of a congregation. Many humans seek to find belonging, hope,  love, relish, and redemption for hopes of salvation, and a beautiful eternal afterlife.

My project focuses on the locations of sanctuaries, but not as a whole building. I want the focus to be the main entrances into these holy structures. Whether I find a single door, double doors, or even gates, these objects consecrate these buildings. Doors are objects that can open, close, block, protect, and hide many other ideas and objects behind them. I believe that the doors to many places of worship are unique to the religion, the secrets, and the sanctity of the sites. Some churches have ornate doors, adorned with details that relay information of the religion, others might just be simple glass doors, and even some religions locations lock/block out visitors that do not belong in the congregation.

My concept is for my viewers to stand before these images of doors, look at what is presented in front of them, and question if they want to see what is behind the doors. The idea and actual structure of a door can play on a psyche. We will question what is behind it, how we can obtain a glimpse of what is hidden, and also make us question if we want to enter into what is behind the doors. There are some religions that refuse to let 'outsiders' partake in their ceremonies, practices, or even step foot into their main areas of prayer. Why so secret? It is that secret, that hidden information we seek to find, and it sits inside a confined space hidden by doors.               This is a personal testimony to seek out the doors of religion and how open they are to being exposed.