Amy Dunn

“Amy is one of the few lawyers you will know who has distinguished herself as a model (in such magazines as Vogue and Cosmopolitan), a photographer with a sold-out exhibition, and interviewed by Canon. Currently a lawyer with a Houston firm with a VERY lucky telephone number of 281.888.888, Amy hopes to open a law practice in New York where she can accommodate her professional and artistic sides.”

Photographer: Collin Kelly
Fashion Stylist: Leslie Rivas
Hair: Bianca Linette
Makeup: Lily Bui
Models: Agatha, Amy Dunn, Yuan Yuan, Jenn, and Christina

And while you’re at it, check out Vincent Cheung’s Shape Collage!

Last year, my friend, Steven Grant, noticed an unusually unhappy expression on my face. When I confided in him about the strong displeasure in my career, he empowered me with an activity he participated in church. He suggested writing a letter to God (or the Universe or whatever deity you believe in) around the New Year and thank Him for everything He gave that year. The churchgoers would then open the letter on Christmas and read the letters out loud, marveling in all the wonderful gifts they received. The requests, obviously, have to be humble and realistic. Believe me, I thought about asking for a million dollars, too.

Instead, I asked the Universe for only one thing: happiness in my job.

Did you guys ever wonder why I never talked about my job as a lawyer? I mean, this is my photography blog, of course, but I work as an attorney above and beyond anything else. I never spoke about my job because I worked in an oppressive environment that stifled my energy and creativity. It sucked all the brain cells out of me. I don’t want to talk smack about my former job because really, I learned a lot from the experience and applied everything I acquired there to my current and beloved position. I accepted a job at a law firm in Houston with people that value and appreciate me. I have grown immensely as an attorney, and I have the opportunity now to counsel clients–real people, not corporations–on various aspects of the law. Can I tell you how deliriously happy I feel when a fellow photographer approaches me to help them with copyright claims?

When I opened my letter to the Universe on Christmas 2009, a satisfied smile replaced the grim expression from earlier in the year. I finally got the gift I longed for all these years. All I had to do was ask.

Join me on Facebook.

Hope everyone is having a safe celebration. I am preparing for the New Year and wanted a plan of action for my blog. I noticed the top five topics on my blog this year included the following:

1. Stolen Photo in **** Magazine, Croatia where an international magazine stole one of my photos, printed and published it. I am sure most photographers could relate to this blog entry because of the sheer number of instances this occurs–especially in foreign countries where copyright is not as enforced. Now that I work full-time as an attorney–a “real” one and not as a corporate monkey–I plan on pursuing these topics a little heavier so that I can help more photographers. I also reckon the number of hits on this blog because of the immensely popular search this year for Kesha Nichols.

2. Solitude of Self – self-portrait

3. amydunn.com v2 – My web designer, Jon, created a new website for me, and I asked which design my readers preferred. Your insight and suggestions meant a lot to me, and I have a new look to my website, thanks to you. Love you heaps.

4. A Moment in Time – self-portrait

5. The Model Photographer – a little video introducing myself and my mission statement for this blog. I will try to give my blog a more personal touch and share more of my videos and archived photos. For example, I made my mom some cupcakes on her birthday, and this is the hilarity that ensued (see photo below):

Thanks for the love on my self-portraits. I have some fun ones planned and can’t wait to share. Let me know what topics you want to read about as well. Oops! I hear firecrackers. Time to get ready for the big celebration. See you next year!

xoxo,
Amy