Amber and I discuss  starting a business, fighting depression, living abroad, getting married, being a lesbian, getting divorced and living her truth.

IN AMBERS WORDS I am in a place of life in which I am so proud that I am finally living my truth. It has been a rocky road, mainly due to me trying to fight my inner authentic self. I was born and raised in South Orange County, California. I was also raised in a very conservative, Mormon family, where doing what was "right" was always the most important- far before being authentic. I am the oldest of four kids in my family, meaning I have always been the one with the hardest expectations placed on me and on myself. 

I went to Cal State University, Long Beach for my undergraduate degree. I developed an intense attraction to my first roommate in college but didn’t know what it meant. I admitted in my journal all of the feelings I was experiencing and even wrote “I might be a lesbian” but somehow talked myself out of that crazy idea. I decided I wanted a family and kids and didn’t see how that could be possible. 

I studied abroad in Granada Spain for a year. I learned Spanish as well as how to be on my own in a foreign country. I got through depression and home-sickness the first couple months through intensive journaling and embracing Spanish culture and language. I got married and had a child and then the realization that I wasn't living my truth hit me.

Now,  I have a four-year-old daughter and am a full-time portrait and wedding photographer. I started photographing families and weddings when I was staying at home with our daughter when she was an infant. The last couple of years have been a crazy quest to live my truth. I finally admitted to myself that I am gay and could not continue to stay married to a man. 

I decided to go full-time with my business that I hadn't had the time to nurture over the last couple years. I feel now I am finally living congruent to who I am in every way. I have given into who I am. I am a gay woman. I am a Photographer. I am a Mother. I am a Creative. I am an Entrepreneur. 

FIND HER HERE: facebook.com/amberezellphotography amberezellphotography.com