From My First Festival to What’s Next for Amy Hood Captures

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