From My First Festival to What’s Next for Amy Hood Captures
A lot has happened since I was preparing for my very first photography festival. From putting my work into the Frederick community to photographing weddings, live music and local events — and even seeing one of my images featured in Ocean City — Amy Hood Captures has been growing in ways I never expected. Here’s a little look at where I’ve been and what’s coming next.
Documentary event photography from National Night Out in Frederick, Maryland, captured by local photographer Amy Hood Captures.
It’s been a little while since I’ve written a blog post — and somehow, a lot has happened in that time.
The last time I checked in here, I was preparing for my very first photography festival. I was printing photographs, figuring out booth displays, making signs, ordering supplies, and wondering what it would actually feel like to put my work out into the world in such a public way.
Now that I’m looking back a few months later, that festival feels like the beginning of a new chapter for Amy Hood Captures.
Taking Amy Hood Captures Into the Community
My first festival at Frederick Spring Fest gave me the opportunity to do something I hadn't really done before: stand beside my work and talk to people about it.
Amy Hood behind the Amy Hood Captures fine art photography booth at Frederick Spring Fest in Frederick, MD
Photography is usually a pretty solitary process for me. I see something that catches my attention, photograph it, bring it home, edit it and eventually share it online. Seeing people stop in front of a print, recognize a Frederick location or simply connect with an image was completely different.
And yes — making sales was exciting. But what stayed with me even more were the conversations.
It reminded me that photography doesn't always have to live on a screen.
More Than Fine Art Photography
One of the biggest changes over the past few months has been seeing Amy Hood Captures continue to grow beyond fine art prints.
I've had opportunities to photograph events, local businesses, live music, a courthouse wedding and community events throughout the Frederick, Maryland area.
And I’ve realized that some of my favorite photographs happen when I’m not trying to manufacture a moment at all.
I love documenting what is actually happening.
Newlywed couple walking together under an umbrella at the bandshell in Baker Park Frederick MD.
The interaction between two people. A musician completely immersed in a performance. Someone laughing when they don’t realize the camera is pointed toward them. The energy of a crowded event. The people working behind the scenes. That documentary approach has become an increasingly important part of how I think about my photography.
Freddy Long performing live at JoJo’s Restaurant & Tap House in downtown Frederick, Maryland, photographed by Amy Hood Captures
Finding Opportunities in Unexpected Places
Another thing I’ve learned while building this business is that you never really know where one photograph, conversation or connection might lead.
Some of my work has been shared by local businesses and organizations. I've photographed musicians and community events. One of my Ocean City photographs even recently landed on the cover of a local newsletter — something I definitely wasn't expecting when I originally pressed the shutter.
Ocean City, Maryland coastal photography by Amy Hood Captures, featured on the cover of The Ocean City Vibes newsletter
Amy Hood of Amy Hood Captures at Pumpernickel and Rye in Frederick, Maryland
Those moments may seem small from the outside, but they're incredibly meaningful when you're building something from scratch.
Every time someone shares an image, hangs one of my prints, recommends me, hires me or simply tells me that a photograph made them stop scrolling for a second, it reinforces why I started Amy Hood Captures in the first place.
National Night Out in Frederick
Most recently, I had the opportunity to photograph National Night Out in Frederick.
It was exactly the kind of environment I've grown to love photographing: people, movement, community and moments unfolding constantly around me.
I especially loved documenting Frederick-area firefighters, first responders and the interactions happening throughout the evening.
Events like this continue to confirm something for me — I don't just want to photograph what an event looks like.
I want to photograph what it felt like to be there. That's the kind of storytelling I'm continuing to pursue with Amy Hood Captures.
Frederick Fire and Rescue truck photographed during National Night Out in Frederick, Maryland
And We're Heading Back to a Festival
I'm also excited to officially say that Amy Hood Captures will be back out in the community this fall.
I'll be a vendor at the Mt. Airy Oktoberfest on October 3, 2026, with a selection of my photography prints and other pieces available in person.
After everything I learned from my first festival, I'm really looking forward to doing it again — this time with a little more experience and a lot more work behind me.
There will undoubtedly still be last-minute printing, rearranging displays and questioning every decision I've made the night before.
Apparently that's part of the process.
What's Next?
I'm still figuring that part out.
And surprisingly, I think I'm okay with that.
When I launched Amy Hood Captures, I knew I loved photography. What I didn't know was exactly where it could take me.
Fine art photography is still a huge part of what I love. But so are live music, local businesses, community events, branding photography and documentary-style storytelling.
So instead of forcing Amy Hood Captures into one tiny box, I'm allowing it to grow.
I'm following the opportunities that excite me, continuing to build my portfolio, meeting people, photographing things that matter to me and seeing where it leads.
Live Music and community event photography at Alive at Five in downtown Frederick, Maryland by Amy Hood Captures
If you're looking for a photographer in Frederick, Maryland or the surrounding areas for an event, business, live performance or project — I'd love to hear what you're working on.
And if you'd rather just come say hello and look through some photography in person, I'll see you at Mt. Airy Oktoberfest on October 3.
Thank you for following along.
There's a lot more to come.
— Amy
Amy Hood Captures
When It Starts to Feel Real: Preparing for Spring Fest
A behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to prepare for Spring Fest - from choosing prints and ordering inventory to the exciting, messy, very real moments in between.
There’s something really surreal about opening a box and realizing it’s filled with your work.
So much of getting ready for my first festival has happened behind the scenes - choosing prints, figuring out sizes, ordering inventory, planning my booth, second-guessing things, changing my mind, and trying to make it all come together. But opening this first order made it all feel real in a totally different way.
Not everything is here yet (my metal pieces are still on the way), but seeing this first batch of prints show up at my door felt like such a big milestone. Equal parts exciting, overwhelming, and wow… I’m really doing this.
As I get ready for Spring Fest, I wanted to share a little bit of the process behind it all — not just the finished pieces, but the prep, the progress, and the real-life moments in between.
Choosing What to Bring
One of the biggest parts of preparing has been deciding what I actually want to bring to the festival.
That sounds simple… until you realize how many little decisions go into it.
Which pieces feel the strongest? Which ones fit my style best? Which ones will connect with people? What sizes should I offer? How much inventory is enough without going overboard?
I’ve been trying to build a collection that feels true to the kind of work I love most — a mix of architecture, urban details, black and whites, and nature scenes that all feel like they belong together. I wanted the collection to feel cohesive, but still varied enough for people to find something they connect with.
The Reality of Festival Prep
I think from the outside, preparing for an event can look really exciting and polished — and parts of it definitely are. But there’s also a very real side to it that people don’t always see.
There are spreadsheets and price lists. Product decisions. Packaging. Display ideas. Re-checking measurements. Ordering supplies. Wondering if I bought enough. Wondering if I bought too much. Trying to make smart choices while also trusting my gut.
It’s exciting, but it’s also a little vulnerable.
There’s a difference between posting your work online and physically preparing to put it out in front of people. This feels more tangible somehow. More visible. More real.
And I think that’s why opening this order hit me the way it did.
My first print order for Spring Fest - and one of the first moments it all started to feel real.
Seeing It All in Print
There’s something different about seeing your photos on a screen versus holding them in your hands.
Even pieces I’ve looked at a hundred times somehow felt new again once they were printed. Some instantly made me feel proud. A few made me pause and think about how they’ll look displayed. And some just reminded me why I wanted to do this in the first place.
That’s probably one of my favorite parts of this whole process so far — seeing the work take on a different kind of life once it’s physically in front of me.
Still in Progress — and That’s Okay
One thing I’m learning quickly is that preparing for something like this doesn’t happen in one perfect, finished moment.
Some things are here. Some things are still on the way. Some things are figured out, and some are still very much in progress.
And honestly, I think that’s part of the beauty of it.
This season feels a lot like building in real time - learning as I go, adjusting where I need to, and letting it all come together one piece at a time.
It may not be perfect, but it’s real. And right now, that feels like enough.
Looking Ahead to Spring Fest
As Spring Fest gets closer, I’m feeling a mix of excitement, nerves, gratitude, and probably a little bit of “what am I forgetting?” energy too.
But more than anything, I’m feeling really thankful.
Thankful for the support, the encouragement, the people cheering me on, and the chance to put my work out into the world in a new way.
This first order of prints feels like one of those small-but-big milestones I know I’ll remember.
And if you’ve been following along, supporting my work, sharing a post, buying a print, or just encouraging me as I go - thank you. It truly means more than you know.
Spring Fest is getting closer… and it’s finally starting to feel real.
I’ll be sharing more behind the scenes as festival prep continues and I can’t wait to bring these pieces to life in person.
Frederick Spring Festival at Carroll Creek: A Photographer’s Perspective
I’m excited to be participating in the Frederick Spring Festival at Carroll Creek Parl. This event brings together local artist, handmade goods, and small businesses from across Maryland. Here’s a preview of the photography prints and greeting cards I’ll be bringing to the festival.
Carroll Creek Park bridge in Frederick, Maryland during winter. Location of the Frederick Spring Festival where local artists, makers, and photographers gather each year
Frederick Spring Festival at Carroll Creek: Art, Community, and Photography
This spring I’m excited to be participating in the Frederick Spring Festival at Carroll Creek Park in Frederick, Maryland. The festival brings together local artists, makers, and small businesses from across the region for a weekend of creativity, community, and handmade art.
As a Frederick-based photographer, this event is a great opportunity for me to share my work with the community and connect with people who appreciate visual storytelling and fine art photography.
Photography Inspired by Real Moments
My work focuses on capturing authentic moments — whether it’s a quiet street scene, a powerful moment during an event, or the subtle beauty of everyday life.
Many of my photographs are inspired by:
street photography
urban landscapes
historic architecture
human emotion and movement
natural light and atmosphere
At the festival, I’ll be showcasing a collection of fine art photography prints and greeting cards featuring images from Maryland, New York City, and other places that have inspired my work.
Photography Inspired by Real Moments
Some of my favorite photographs come from quiet, unexpected moments while exploring new places. Scenes like this one - captured beneath the American flag inside Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport - remind me how powerful light, reflection, and atmosphere can be.
Moments like these inspire many of the fine art prints and greeting cards I created, several of which will be available at my booth during the Frederick Spring Festival at Carroll Creek Park.
What You’ll Find at My Booth
Visitors to my booth will find a selection of:
• Fine art photography prints
• Photography greeting cards
• Small-format art prints perfect for home or office spaces
• Images inspired by city life, architecture, landscapes, and storytelling moments
Each photograph is printed with care to preserve detail, texture, and the feeling captured in the moment.
Whether you're looking for a unique piece of art or a thoughtful card, I love sharing work that resonates with people and brings a sense of place or memory into their space.
A selection of my fine art photography prints and greeting cards that will be available at my booth during the Frederick Spring Festival at Carroll Creek Park
Event Details
Frederick Spring Festival
Carroll Creek Park
Frederick, Maryland
Date: May 17th 11:30am - 5:30pm
Location: Carroll Creek Linear Park
The festival is a wonderful way to support local artists, photographers, and small businesses while enjoying the beautiful setting of historic downtown Frederick.
Come Say Hello
Events Like the Frederick Spring Festival are a reminder of how powerful art and community can be when they come together in one place. If you’re exploring Carroll Creek that day, I’d love for you to stop by, say hello, and see some of the prints and cards I’ve created from moments like these.
You can also explore more of my photography in my portfolio and print shop here on my website.
I look forward to seeing you at the festival!
- Amy Hood
Amy Hood Captures
Frederick, Maryland Photographer