Whidbey Photographer Offers Witch-Themed Mini Sessions

Amber Braxton is holding a series of 15-minute photo sessions on a trail near Coupeville on Oct. 31. The self-taught photographer from Greenbank is styling participants as witches for the holiday. Each session produces five digital images for the client.

The shoots are designed to be a low-cost option for the spooky season. Braxton noted that standard portraits are often a luxury service that not everyone can afford. To enhance the experience, she has partnered with Oaklawn Enchantments, a shop in Oak Harbor. Participants can create a custom spell jar during the shoot.

Braxton began her career in photography in the spring of 2016. She had always enjoyed the hobby but only started taking photos seriously after receiving a camera from her now-husband. By July of that year, she had registered her business. Friends in the area began asking her to photograph their families and children.

After working in community mental health, Braxton left her job to pursue photography full time three years after starting. She credits the work with changing how she observes her environment. She says she is now more aware of how light interacts with her surroundings. Braxton describes her passion for the craft as an obsession that has lasted for a decade.

The photographer prefers to capture people as their authentic selves rather than in posed portraits. Her portfolio includes fine art, portraiture, and landscapes. Moody lighting is a characteristic element of her work. She moved to Whidbey Island seven months ago and finds the local forests, farmland, and gray days better suited to her style than the bright, sunny weather of Colorado.

Braxton has previously run seasonal shoots featuring bedsheet ghosts and wearable carved pumpkins. She enjoys the creative engagement these holidays provide for her and her clients. She said she loves celebrating and being festive, which drives her to organize these specific types of photo shoots.

The business operates with a focus on accessibility and creative expression. Braxton manages all camera settings herself after years of trial and error. She continues to build her portfolio while offering these limited-time holiday events to residents of Whidbey Island.