Meet Amber Hudson | Photographer & Wanderer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amber Hudson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amber, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Wandering Free was never just a business idea — it was a calling that tugged at my soul long before I had a name for it. I’ve always been the one with a camera in hand and my heart set on the next adventure. Maybe it’s because I don’t have the best memory (seriously, if I didn’t take a photo, did it even happen?), but I’ve always felt this deep need to hold onto the fleeting — the wind in someone’s hair, the way two people laugh together when they think no one’s watching, the golden light just before sunset.

Photography became my way of pressing pause on a world that moves too fast. It’s freedom and art and connection all rolled into one. And I knew early on I wasn’t meant to stay in one place, literally or creatively. I wanted a life that let me roam, create, and make people feel seen. Starting Wandering Free gave me that.

It’s about more than just pretty pictures — it’s about honoring moments that matter, making people feel beautiful and comfortable in their own skin, and telling stories that deserve to be remembered. At the end of the day, I built this business to follow my curiosity, chase light, and help others hold onto theirs.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art has always been an extension of how I experience the world — a little dreamy, a little wild, and deeply rooted in connection. I didn’t actually think I could turn photography into a career at first. It was just something I loved… something that felt like home. I was the one always taking photos just because I had to — like my heart would burst if I didn’t. I never imagined anyone would pay me to do what I loved — until they started offering.

People began reaching out, asking for shoots, saying they’d pay me, and I was honestly shocked. I thought, Wait, you mean this thing I do for fun? This thing that gives me life? Slowly, I started bartending less and photographing more, until one day, I looked around and realized I was doing it full time. My best friend Danielle played a huge part in that journey — she’s a total boss, and seeing her chase her dreams gave me the push I didn’t know I needed.

But it wasn’t easy. Ohhh no. I had so many moments of doubt — wondering if I was good enough, if I was charging too much, or too little, or if I was even allowed to call myself a “professional.” I did a lot of free work just to prove to myself I could do it. But the one thing that never wavered was the creativity — that’s always been in me. It’s what carried me forward when self-doubt tried to hold me back.

What I’m most proud of isn’t just the images I take — it’s how I make people feel. So many clients come to me saying, “I’m super awkward, please pose me,” and by the end of the shoot, they’re laughing, relaxed, and glowing in a way they didn’t expect. When they say things like, “That was actually so fun,” or “You made me feel so comfortable,” I know I’ve done my job.

I don’t really obsess over being “different.” I just try to show up fully, be present, and capture the essence of the people in front of me. I follow what feels good — the way the light falls, the way someone looks at their partner, the way laughter explodes out of nowhere. That’s the magic I chase.

If there’s one thing I hope people take away from Wandering Free, it’s that they felt like the star of their own story — full of life, love, and joy. And maybe, just maybe, they walk away thinking “I want to feel like that again.”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting for a week, I’d be pulling out all the stops to show them why I fell in love with the Pacific Northwest — the cozy corners, wild places, and everything in between. This place just feels like home now, and I’d want them to feel that too.

We’d kick off our mornings slow and easy with coffee at Insomnia Coffee in Hillsboro — it’s got that perfectly moody PNW vibe, and their lattes hit every time. Then we’d wander around the westside or head into Portland to explore some of my favorite thrift shops. Each one feels like a treasure hunt, full of funky finds and vintage gems you didn’t know you needed.

Midweek, I’d plan a little coastal escape — nothing beats the salty air and dramatic cliffs out at Hug Point. It’s got caves, waterfalls, and those iconic Oregon rocks rising from the sea — pure magic. After soaking that in, we’d grab burgers and a couple cold ones at Pelican Brewery in Cannon Beach before heading back with sandy feet and full hearts.

We’d definitely make a day trip to Rowena Crest in the gorge too — it’s one of those places that makes you feel tiny in the best way. Easy trails, jaw-dropping views, and that famous horseshoe road that looks like it was made for a drone shot (yes, I’m absolutely bringing my camera).

To top it off, we’d spend a night or two camping at Lost Lake near Mt. Hood. Paddleboarding under a mountain, campfire stories, and starry skies? Say less. We’d laugh until our faces hurt, probably eat way too many s’mores, and wake up with messy hair and happy hearts.

We’d eat our way through some of my favorite local spots too — Top Burmese in Beaverton is such a hidden gem, and Helvetia Tavern is a must for burgers, pool, and a little small-town dive bar charm.

More than anything, I’d want my best friend to feel the magic here — the slow mornings, the epic views, the weird little shops, the warm people, the endless freedom. That’s what makes the PNW so special to me. It’s not just the places — it’s how alive you feel when you’re in them.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Joe Smith – he is a cooper in Michigan. He was a big reason I had the guts to go on my own and start my business and travel.

Mrs. Julie Vanderlaan – she was my photo and video teacher at Byron Center High School in MI, she fueled the fire in me and taught me so much.

Website: https://wanderingfreephotoandvideo.com

Instagram: wanderingfreephotoandvideo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wanderingfreephotoandvideo

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wanderingfreephotoandvideo