Say Cheese

COLFAX — Colfax resident Amanda Utz has captured countless moments in her kid’s lives with the use of her camera over the span of seven years. Now the mother of three is helping other families capture similar forever keepsakes through Amanda Utz Photography.

“Being able to give that to other people for their own children is a great feeling,” she said.

Utz has always loved taking pictures, even as a kid in high school, but it wasn’t until the year of her wedding when she realized how big of a passion it really was.

“We were looking at photographers, and that’s when I fell in love with more of the art of it instead of just taking snapshots,” Utz said. “When we had our first daughter I was like I want all these beautiful pictures of her, but my husband is never going to let me hire a full-time photographer to live with us so I’m just going to have to learn myself.”

Utz did learn on her own without prior college courses in photography or extensive knowledge about the latest equipment or techniques. After getting her first studio camera, her passion drove her to success as she gained a reputation as a photographer in her then-residence of Ankeny.

She and her husband, Patrick, moved to Colfax about three years ago and her joy for photography moved along with them.

Last year, she discovered the former Studio 53 building was for sale in downtown Colfax and knew it was perfect for a photography studio. It’s right on the edge of downtown and there’s plenty of open space inside, but most importantly, it has three large windows on the north wall that allow sunlight to flow in.

“I’m more of a natural light photographer, and I prefer to be outside with families if I can,” Utz said. “Especially with kids, a lot of times flashes and that stuff is just a lot to take in and a lot of stimulation. With natural light they can just be themselves.”

Amanda Utz Photography, located at 11 E. Front St., Colfax, opened for business in April photographing families, children, newborns and maternity. According to Utz, business has gone well since opening as she continues to gain a similar photographer reputation in Colfax as she had in Ankeny.

Photography sessions through Amanda Utz Photography can sometimes last up to a few hours, especially if a newborn is involved, but that is comparable time to other photography businesses. What separates Utz from many other businesses is that it doesn’t seem like that long of a visit.

“We have fun at our sessions. We do some poses and stuff, but after my sessions are over people are like ‘oh my goodness that was so much fun.’ Like it wasn’t a bunch of work,” Utz said. “That’s because I usually let families be themselves and give them more of a natural lifestyle pictures than just posing.”

For more information about the business or to schedule a session visit www.amandautzphotography.com or the Amanda Utz Photography Facebook page.

Contact Alex Olp at
aolp@jaspercountytribune.com