Daily Inspiration: Meet Amber Holguin

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

Hi Amber, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
If you would have told young closeted amber that she would one day be out and proud, creating a photography business focused on celebrating love in the LGBTQIA+ community, with a loving queer partner, a found family, while at the same time having the ability to spend my time painting and embracing my neurodivergence, I 100% wouldn’t believe it.

Lets backtrack a bit. I always wanted to start my own photography business, but the love I wanted to document was not celebrated in the religious community I was apart of. I knew in order to embrace my full self, love my full self, and express myself without fear, deconstruction was a necessary route. Which meant disconnecting from the social and familial circles that were no longer fitting my core beliefs. I know the aches and pains all too well – being fearful of coming out, making myself smaller to stay safe and not be rejected – high control religion was no longer something I could defend, or represent. It was time for a change.

In the midst of a lot of self discovery, I knew I wanted to document queer love and joy – my story would be an act of resistance, allowing myself to take up space and embrace all my parts, which would allow me to do the same for my clients. I was going to take photos I truly wanted to take, and connect with people in a deeper more meaningful way than my past photography work.

I remember telling my partner I was struggling deeply with my mental health. I needed to focus on therapy and find safety in my mind and body again. I shared my dreams with them and they embraced me with a safety to be my full self I had not known before. They even bought me a beast of a gaming laptop that could handle my editing software, and believed in me even when I was drowning in depression. They shared their queer experience with me and I felt less alone. Little by little we built queer community. They reminded me that I was allowed to take up space and find my own way. I was allowing myself to dream again.

I found myself at the end of 2024 feeling so overwhelmed by the amount of hatred and rights being taken away by those in the queer community. I knew that I needed to take action in my small corner of the world. I could offer elopement photography for free. So I did. I posted on my social media accounts and put fliers in coffee shops. I posted fliers on community boards and hoped folks in need would see them. I didn’t expect the response I got, since I hadn’t been as active on my business accounts. Direct messages came in quickly, and I started booking couples as soon as possible. I wanted to alleviate an area of stress for these couples, and be a voice reminding them their love is worthy of being documented and displayed.

I found myself so grateful to be a queer person offering these services. We could connect and share in the heartache, but also the immense joy. To be apart of such intimate moments with couples and their closest friends, found family, sometimes only one other guest. To be able to hold space and celebrate their queerness. Realizing I could be a safe space for others has been so humbling. I always want to be that safe space for LGBTQIA+ folks. To give them the space to fully express and enjoy their love without fear of judgement or a lack of understanding. I was encouraged by their stories and resilience. How could you not be moved by such displays of love? Their stories and those moments will last with me forever.

A big part of my business that will always be a cornerstone is making photography accessible to the queer community. I offer sliding scale packages and payment plans, as well as free photos for those in need as often as I can.
I dream of having a studio that can double as a third space for people to create, craft, and connect. My goal is to include breath work and somatic practices during my sessions. Being seen and perceived can be so vulnerable and intimate. I want to offer an experience, not just photos. I want to remain close to my inner child and allow others to feel free to express themselves in front of the camera. We all have a story and beauty that should be seen and celebrated. So I will keep on dreaming and trying and showing up for the queer community whether it’s elopements, family photos, head shots – I hope to remain a safe space. The more I embrace my self, the more space I have to embrace others.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Haha. Smooth, no. Worth it? Absolutely!

Figuring out the back end of running a business while navigating ADHD has been a learning curve, but with every challenge came the opportunity to learn and grow, and more importantly, to create space for embracing differences; of approach, of thought; ultimately, just finding a way to make sense of it all, in a way that makes sense to me.

It is always a struggle to exist in a society that is not always friendly to those who are different. Often, my biggest struggle is keeping my proverbial cup filled, when it feels like life is often trying to steal a sip, or three.

It took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that life would always bring with it struggle, but I have come to appreciate the self-actualization that comes from it. I have learned to find joy in nature and in creating art again.

If I’m being honest, there is so much excitement in being a life long learner, in being able to learn from struggling, but also in learning to love new artistic mediums and in re-learning to be in nature.

I guess in short, the biggest obstacle, has also been the greatest part of the journey. Accepting that growth is a lifelong journey and that I don’t have to have it all figured out, because nobody really does.

In part, I owe thanks to a dear friend for this realization. I’ve been working with Jessie Santiago for a few months and I cannot thank them enough. Connecting with other queer folks focused on queer wellness and healing has been the support I didn’t realize I needed. Get yourself a queer therapist divas – we need our cups filled too as we create safe spaces for others.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I offer photo sessions for a variety of occasions, with a focus on queer elopements. I endeavor to create a safe space in my photography for people of color, disabled folks, non-Monogamous folks, and people of all body sizes and shapes.

You can book me for couples sessions, engagements, elopements, family sessions as well as business branding.

I love candid moments. Capturing how the day or event felt. Those authentic sweet moments of joy that you may have missed, or been so in the moment you wouldn’t think to document. I want to capture those moments so you can keep them forever.

I want our session to feel fun and light, like moments with a friend who wants to capture that special moment so they can share it with you.

I’m a big believer in capturing the magic that’s already there, I do my best to blend a cinematic editing vibe, with the beauty and realness you embody. I want to accentuate your beauty, not manufacture it.

That’s what sets me apart, I don’t want to manufacture a version of you that isn’t real.

What’s next?
Well where do i start! On the personal side of things, I’m hoping to adopt as many cats as my partner can handle without losing their mind. So maybe, 30! I joke, but it is a dream of mine to establish a safe sanctuary for all the poor cats in need of love and a home.

I’m hoping to grow in my artistic pursuits by starting to create and sell my prints. Ideally from the tiny home my partner and i hope to buy one day.

As far as my photography goals, I would love my own studio space to create and play and host community events. I want my studio to be a third place for my community and a place were queer artists can come to create and collaborate.

But at the end of the day, I’m the most excited to continue learning and growing and uplifting those who need love and support.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amberholguin.smugmug.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amber.elaine.photo/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@amber.elaine.photo?_t=ZP-8yHSQMKRnXq&_r=1

Image Credits
Amber Elaine Photography