Meet Amber Thompson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Thompson. 

Amber, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have loved photography since I received my first 110 film camera at 12 years old, and the weeks we were able to use the darkroom in high school were my favorites. I always wanted to pursue my dream- when I was a teen, I was convinced I was going to be a photojournalist for Rolling Stone, but I ended up making different life decisions and worked in a variety of Photo Labs and had a long career in retail management as I raised my son. 

In 2018 I decided to invest in my passion and started learning more about how to use my equipment in a variety of different situations. I enjoy going out and taking images of local nature; sunsets and night skies being my favorites, but portraits have always been where my heart lives. When it came time for thinking of a name for my business, I thought back to previous generations in my family, including my great great grandfather who had owned his own photo studio in Indiana. It dawned on me that I was a “fifth generation” photographer, and combining that with the “Studios” portion of my ancestor’s business name, and Fifth Generation Studios was born. I had a full-time job that often came between me and pursuing anything seriously, lots of long shifts and weekends, and in 2019 I gave that up for something more flexible in the medical field. 

In the beginning of 2021, I decided to look at retail spaces that were available in my community. There weren’t many, but a friend connected me with someone they knew that had a building available on Main Street. I contacted the owners and chatted for a bit about what I really wanted to accomplish with my business, which ultimately was getting into Women’s Empowerment Photography, and starting an additional business called Vixen Galore Boudoir. Having a space of my own to create in has been a tremendous help in being able to pursue my passion, and at the end of 2021, I went full-time with my studio. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being a small business owner in the creative realm isn’t always easy. I oftentimes feel photographers especially can be hit hard in this day and age. Everyone has a camera in their pocket they carry with them at all times. Images die when devices die. Photo albums are on the decline. Filters are a constant on images, especially on images of women. Movies, magazines, television, they’re all telling us we aren’t beautiful enough, we aren’t fit enough, we aren’t strong enough, we aren’t… enough. I myself have had my own issues and struggles with confidence and body image as a female-identifying person in our society. From the time I was 12, I remember not feeling thin enough, and having classmates pick on me for my body. As I got older and found myself in an unhealthy relationship, my self image only got worse. It wasn’t until I was in my mid-30s when I began taking photos of myself and my body, I regained that confidence again. 

Society likes to look down on others that aren’t living their lives the way they think they should. My studio is a space to let go of that idea. You can be YOU. You can be any size you want to be, you can be any age, you can wear whatever you want, or don’t want, you can step into your power and possess a portrait of you that is truly yours. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I definitely love working one-on-one with my clients. Doing portrait work, whether it’s a Legacy Portrait, a Senior Portrait, or something specific and creative like dance images, it all comes down to the relationship I build with that client to capture who they are in that exact moment. It’s an incredible feeling as an artist. I am so fortunate when it comes to working with clients in boudoir, especially in that I have the ability to offer a Professional Hair and Makeup Artist right in the studio. I have a large selection of wardrobe for my clients to choose from as well, and I love to help them chose themes and outfits that will make them feel amazing about themselves. 

I have had over 100 clients come through my door in the last year, and some have come to see me multiple times. So many women have shared their stories with me, and I’ve helped them to see what everyone else sees in them. 

I have told many clients, who you are when you step into the studio, is not who you are when you leave, and I deliver every time. 

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I believe being able to connect and be vulnerable with my clients is the key. I value them and appreciate that with many different options for photographers, they want to work with me. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.vixengaloreboudoir.com
• Instagram: fifthgeneration_studios
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vxngaloreboudoir

Image Credits
Fifth Generation Studios
Vixen Galore Boudoir