Join our weekly coffee meet up community over at Grounded Moms of the West Valley!
Join our weekly coffee meet up community over at Grounded Moms of the West Valley!
Hi, I'm Amber! Lover of blueberry pastries and good coffee in the morning with my better half, Michael, and our 2 pups, Chewbacca and Sirius. I manage to be an avid weightlifter and backyard gardener in this glorious heat. The simple things in life make me happiest, like music to fit the mood of the moment and bingeing The Office. I come from a big, but tight-knit family where I'm the oldest of 3 siblings. My love for photographing families cuddled up and giggling together, started with them.
I understand the longing for past days where kids were just babies, time moved slower and things were simpler. You are always behind the scenes trying to keep up and hang onto it all at once. I can't slow it all down for you, but I can capture it meaningfully.
When you work with me, not only do I document your story and preserve it for generations, but I handle all the details for you. Then, I deliver stunning heirlooms to your doorstep where you get to cherish them daily!
It's amazing working with each family's unique dynamic, swapping Chandler Bing smiles for authentic personality and fun. I am so excited you're here and I can't wait to bring this entire experience to you.
Get to Know Me!
your authentic Motherhood Photographer
Michael and I met in our high school years, and became great, nerdy friends before dating in college. After a year and a half long-distance while he kicked off life in Arizona, I officially became a transplant, too. In 2019 we brought Chewie home and in 2024 we brought Sirius home and 3 months after, we got married in the middle of this beautiful desert in an intimate ceremony. Fueling our love and travels, you'll find us stopping at coffee shops, antique stores and local restaurants anywhere. Our favorite getaway is a stay at the family cabin, playing card games and being out on the lake.
My Life Behind the Camera
Featured In
1/5
family
some of my family at military celebration of life
Family has always made a major impact on my life, especially growing up in a hispanic family started by one grandma and her 11 kids! I wouldn't be who I am without my family and would have never started this career if it weren't for them. I am also fortunate to be marrying into a family just as large and loving!
We are always out traveling and hiking together. We love to head out to the family cabin and play card and board games, too. Some of our favorites are Jenga, Cribbage, Rummikub, and Sequence.
My family has strong lines of service men and women as military and first responders and knowing the life of the family waiting at home is not easy, my heart goes out to any fellow service member families!
2/5
travel
Amber + Michael atop Bryce Canyon in Utah
Growing up, my family was always on an adventure to the mountains, rivers and waterfalls everywhere we went. It was always my favorite part of a trip. I'm fortunate to have found a partner who loves doing the same things with me.
Michael and I aim to travel to a new place at least once each year to explore new landscapes…and ditch the AZ heat.
Everywhere we go, we find a coffee mug with the name of the place to commemorate the trip! We also have a book we've created from saved ticket stubs, receipts and anything else we can to keep the dates from our adventures together. We can't wait to look back on the memories with our kids and grandkids in the future!
3/5
coffee
Amber + Michael at local coffee shop
It may be a surprise, but I had to teach M the ways and miracles of all things coffee. When we first got together, he couldn't stand the taste. Don't worry, I brought him to the Dark Side!
Our first years together were spent exploring every local coffee shop in our city and trying as many different, unique drinks as we could from each of them.
Now, we are still trying new drinks and places, but mostly we are bougie with our home brews! From the roast, beans and flavors, to the scale, method of brewing and water, we do it ALL!
I mentioned we find a coffee mug on each travel adventure, but we also pack our own coffee for every trip we take.
4/5
music
artist from my 5th concert with M
One of my favorite gifts ever is getting sent a song that someone loves or made them think of me/us! There is nothing that can't be said through music.
From rap to rock to classical music, I love it all. My list of must-sees for concerts is ever-growing.
While you could easily groan in disgust at my love for country music, you could just as easily be excited at my favorite metal or composing artists. Not to mention, like coffee, music brings people together and gives them common ground, making connection even easier.
5/5
sitcoms
"somehow i manage" by michael G scott
Comfort shows are my guilty pleasure; I can watch The Office over and over again.
You can expect me to quote The Office, Friends, Parks and Recreation, New Girl and plenty of movies when the situation arises. That's what she said.
I am sorry, though, Big Bang Theory fans, I just don't get the hype, even as a major science geek.
my favorite things
rachel
Not only are these some of our favorite and best looking family photos ever, but we had an absolute blast with Amber out in the desert. My kids are already asking when we can do it again! Thank you Amber! I'm so excited to get our beautiful album.
Kylie
I am so thankful to have found Amber!! The images she took of our family are beautiful and she was even able to make my stubborn toddler smile! Amber is so easy to work with and she provides great feedback if you have any questions. I can’t thank her enough for helping to capture images that I will cherish forever.
tara
From our messages to us finally meeting in person Amber was very kind, efficient, supportive and informative. Once we did our sessions and she provided the galleries I was floored, her work is amazing and she made me feel so comfortable and confident. She helped me capture some memories of my growing family that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to. I recommend Amber a million times over.
Laura
Amber is the sweetest human. She is so much fun and makes you feel so comfortable throughout the entire session. She is so encouraging and reassuring that everything you are doing is perfect (even when you feel it’s not). She has such an eye for where the sun light is and her photos turn out breathtaking. She is wonderful through and through!
Lindsay
When we moved to Arizona we had this vision of family photos we wanted. Amber made that vision come to life and then some! Her work was more than I could have asked for. She made the session seamless and I couldn't ask for better family photos.
harley
Amber is very skilled at what she does!
We got our maternity photos taken by Amber & the entire process was seamless. The professional canvas that came with our package is gorgeous and super high quality!
My husband and I both felt very comfortable getting our pics taken and would recommend Amber to anyone!!
Amanda
She's so wonderful and easygoing, we laughed through the entire session. The pictures came less than a week after our session and they're beautiful. I'll be using her for all of our pictures from here on out!
Sam
Amber was exactly what our family needed! From the start she has been incredibly responsive and delightful to work with. Even with our super awkward group, she made the whole experience light and fun while somehow capturing beautifully candid moments.
We highly recommend Amber!
Carli
My pictures turned out AMAZING!! Amber was so great to work with. She told me exactly how to pose and where to be, while also getting my feedback and doing any poses that I wanted to do specifically. I would highly recommend Cactus & Pine Photography and will be using her again in the future!
kseniya
I am speechless! I just got the pictures back and I had to have tissues near. They were perfect. We haven’t done pictures in 3 years and we’re so excited to see how beautiful they came out. These photos will last forever.
Brittanny
The session was AMAZING! Amber prepared us well for the photos. She knew different areas to go that would get great pictures. I couldn't have asked for better natural photos of my family!
Amanda
My husband is NOT comfortable in front of the camera so we don't have many pictures just the two of us. We had SUCH a good time and they were better than I could have ever expected. We just had her shoot our maternity pics and they're even better than the first set.
Kind Words
Hey, Amber!
My name is ____________________ and I'd like to know more about your process and fine details for a ______________________________________ Do you have availability for ________________________? I found out about you through _____________________________. There are great options for photographers, but I want to work with you because ________________________________________. Please send a quick text to ___________________ so I know to look for your detailed reply at _______________________________.
I understand my minimum investment will be $1,300 and I'm looking for a custom experience with __________________________________________to enjoy daily at home. This is more than just photos for me,
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
I look forward to setting up a time to talk with you!
we probably haven't met - let's change that
Let's Connect!
YAY!! Thanks for saying hi!
Can't wait to start planning your session! It's going to be AMAZING!
I look forward to setting up a time to talk with you!
This is more than just photos for me,
I understand my minimum investment will be $1,300 and I'm looking for a custom experience with
so I know to look for your detailed reply at
Please send a quick text to
There are great options for photographers, but I want to work with you because
I found out about you through
Do you have availability for
and I'd like to know more about your process and see the fine details for a
Hey, Amber!
My name is
we probably haven't met - let's change that!!
Let's Connect!
to enjoy daily at home.
YAY!! Thanks for saying hi!
Can't wait to start planning your session! It's going to be AMAZING!
I'll get back to you ASAP!
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