Alive and overflowing with personality, Amber Fouts’ photography encapsulates moments, rooms and people in a way that makes us want to be a part of the fun on the other side. Her portraits beg you to get to know the personalities beneath the expressions. Exquisite shots of cuisine make you wish her photos were edible. Her snaps of warm store interiors invite you in like home.
Born and raised by a commercial photographer in Montgomery, Alabama, Fouts grew up in the studio, acting as a stand-in model for her father. After spending the summer scanning old negatives for her first job, it was only natural that she take her inherited passion and skills into photography in high school and college. Now, you can find her photography byline everywhere from local print publications to Prevention, the New York Times and more.
Here, CommonCreativ talks to Fouts about self-promotion, her new projects and her vivid aesthetic.
CommonCreativ: How did you first get into photography?
Amber Fouts: My dad gave me his old Canon AE-1 for my high-school photography class. Once I had a film camera of my own and was taught how to develop film on my own, I just took off from there.
CC: How would you describe your aesthetic?
AF: Natural and upbeat. I don’t like things to be too stale.
CC: What are some of your favorite moments or subjects to capture? Why?
AF: I love being on the road, and I become bored if I stay in one place for too long. I also love, love, love photographing women who run their own creative businesses, so I’ve kind of made a personal project of photographing different women in the South who have been killing it in the industry. It gets me out of the house and on the road to new cities, and I get to hang out with some pretty amazing women.
CC: Your publication work is impressive! How were you able to get your name out there?
AF: Well, I’m not the best at marketing. I know it’s really important, but I’m not good at motivating myself to do it. I finally hired a marketing team and let them take the wheels. I like to do a lot of print campaigns and more personal pieces to send out to folks and really, word of mouth has been extremely helpful as well. Photographers here in Atlanta are really great, and I’ve met some of my best friends through the photography circles in town.
CC: Got any tips for photographers new to the game?
AF: You have to put yourself out there. Some folks are really good at doing it. It can be really tough to pull together a portfolio and reach out to dream clients, but it’s what you have to do. You have to work hard and put yourself out there.
The artist
CC: Do you have any new projects or collaborations in the works?
AF: I’ve been working on the boss-lady project I mentioned earlier, but it’s a slow work in progress. I’m taking my time with it and enjoying it as much as I can. It’s nice to spend the morning with women who are running a creative business, get to know them and their work flow, and see how they are making things work for themselves. It’s a good little side project that keeps me motivated.
CC: What are some of your favorite spots in Atlanta?
AF: I’m totally in love with the food industry that’s happening in Atlanta right now. I kind of a snob for good food and good drinks. I’m a regular at Wrecking Bar [Brewpub] and love going to Kimball House. Mostly, I just love trying something new, and with all the new restaurants popping up, it’s a good way for me to get out of the house and break out of the routine.
CC: What are some of your favorite projects, and who are some of your favorite artists in Atlanta?
AF: Branden Collins is a local artist who is making some really fun things. I met him when I was working at Sun in my Belly a few years back, and I’ve been keeping up with his work—it’s grown into this really cool collaboration and has been really fun to follow its growth.
CC: What do you think of Atlanta’s creative scene right now?
AF: I’ve been lucky enough to find a circle of photographers (and creatives) who are really supportive of each other here in Atlanta. I couldn’t be more thankful for that.
You can view more of Amber Fouts’ photography on her site.
