Meet Amya Henley

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amya Henley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Amya , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I found my purpose in photography during my junior year of high school when I first picked up a camera while taking a photojournalism class. As a Christian, I believe God will use my gift to reflect His creation’s glory and beauty. Through my work, I could capture the essence of His created world and each person’s unique beauty. I believe my purpose is to use my photography to help others see themselves as God sees them, instilling confidence and joy in being in front of the camera. It’s a way for me to show Christ’s love and creativity to the world, one photo at a time.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I would love to share a bit about my story and what I am focused on professionally. I’m a senior mathematics major at Spelman College from Waco, Texas, with a deep passion for photography. As a photographer and media intern for the Morehouse College House of Funk Marching Band, I capture dynamic moments during practices, football games, and band events, further fueling my love for action photography. Outside of my internship, I started my photography business, Amya’s Productions. One of the things I find most exciting about photography, especially action shots, is the unpredictability of each moment. You never know what you’re going to capture, much like in sports, which is where I hope to take my career. Looking ahead, I’m focused on developing my skills in photography and marketing, with a particular interest in sports media. There’s something exhilarating about telling a story through a single frame, and I’m eager to continue honing my craft in a way that connects people to the excitement.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three key qualities most impactful in my journey are perseverance, adaptability, and a strong sense of curiosity. Perseverance has helped me push through challenges, whether balancing my studies as a mathematics major at Spelman or running my photography business. Adaptability is crucial, especially in action photography, where no two shots are identical, and you must be ready for anything. Finally, my curiosity had driven me to constantly learn new techniques, explore different areas of photography, and look for ways to improve my skills.

As for advice, I’m still early in my journey, but I’ve learned not to compare yourself to others who may be further along. Everyone’s path is different, and I believe God has a unique and individual journey for each person. This means your process and experience will look different from those around you, and that’s okay. Stay focused on your path, trust the process, and keep working hard—your time will come!

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

There hasn’t been just one person who has helped me overcome challenges or build the skills I need to succeed—first and foremost, it’s been God. My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has always been there for me, even in my lowest moments. I have and still continue to lean on Him no matter what happens in my life, and two verses that have gotten me through college are Matthew 6:34 and Psalms 46:1-3. These verses remind me not to worry about tomorrow and that God is my refuge and strength. He has been my constant source of strength and peace.

My family has also been incredibly supportive of my photography dreams. They’ve always believed in me, helping wherever they can and never telling me I can’t achieve something. They continually push me to do my best and remind me to keep striving for my goals. My friends at college have become like family, too. They’ve encouraged me when I didn’t want to be pushed and kept me strong in my faith, always supporting my big dreams. Their belief in me and encouragement have been essential to my growth and perseverance.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amyahenley.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: amyas.productions

Image Credits

Images – @amyas.productions