HP Photo Books are perfect for sharing memories. In these interviews, mom bloggers share their thoughts on photography and the photos that captured the special moments of their lives.
Amy's blog Crunchy Domestic Goddess chronicles her life as a wife, mother, photographer and activist, trying to "change the world, one blog post at a time." Her two children, Ava (age 3) and Julian (not-quite-one) feature prominently on her blog, as does her passion for the environment, women's health and informed parenting choices.
Amy has always enjoyed photography but didn't get really interested in learning technique until after her daughter was born in 2004:
"Some friends commented on pictures that I had taken of Ava with just my point and shoot camera and said they'd love me to take pictures of their children. I decided then that it was time to get an SLR and start learning in earnest about photography."
She doesn't remember what her first camera was, but recalls having one of those "disc-type cameras" in the '80s. She now uses a digital SLR with a 50mm lens.
Amy's favorite moments captured on "film" are of seeing her children for the very first time, right after they were born. Her favorite shot that she took herself is of a sunset with the mountains in the distance. As she related the story, I was reminded of advice I once heard from a professional photographer: Always have your camera with you. You never know what you will see. "I was driving home from checking out a park for an upcoming photo shoot, when I noticed the sky. The colors were amazing. I hurriedly pulled into a parking lot, got out of the car and started snapping away. I really need to have that picture printed and framed one of these days."
Amy agrees with the other mothers I spoke with for this interview series - candid photos of children capture their personalities much better than anything posed:
"There's one of my son Julian when he's about two or three months old. He's laying on his stomach and propping himself up with his hands/arms. There's one drop of drool coming out of his mouth and it's just perfect, because it is so "him" at that age. I love it. And I have several of my daughter Ava that I love. One is of her standing on a bridge and the sun has such a nice glow on her face. Another favorite is of her balancing on a wooden beam in our backyard. To me, it's the perfect example of the carefree, innocence of youth."
Amy's daughter has already shown an interest in taking pictures, and Amy lets her "practice" with her old point-and-shoot camera.
Amy says that when Ava is older, if she is still interested and willing to learn, she will definitely teach her more about photography. But for now, Amy is keeping it fun, and just focusing on teaching Ava to look through the view finder and hold still:
"She's actually taken some pretty good pictures of Julian and of me and Julian together. I especially appreciate this since I'm so often the one behind the camera. It's a treat to be in a photo every now and then."
Amy hasn't completely decided how she will use the two HP Photo Books we gave her as part of the launch, but she's thinking about doing one for each child:
"Aside from a select few photos that are framed and displayed around the house, I don't have a whole lot of them in print. This will give me the opportunity to have some photos of their first years assembled in a book."
She also thought HP Photo Books would make a good gift for her children's grandparents:
"Both sets of grandparents live hundreds of miles away from us and don't get to see their grandchildren very often, so I know they would really appreciate a special book with the kids' pictures in them."
Print or Share online?
"For the most part, I share my photos digitally. I have a million and one photos that I *should* get printed and would like to get printed, but I never seem to find the time to actually get it done. Someday."
Photos by Amy, Crunchy Domestic Goddess Interview by Susan Getgood
Printable version
Amy's blog 
Amy agrees with the other mothers I spoke with for this interview series - candid photos of children capture their personalities much better than anything posed:
Amy's daughter has already shown an interest in taking pictures, and Amy lets her "practice" with her old point-and-shoot camera.
Amy says that when Ava is older, if she is still interested and willing to learn, she will definitely teach her more about photography. But for now, Amy is keeping it fun, and just focusing on teaching Ava to look through the view finder and hold still: