History
I went to university in 1984 where I studied child and adolescent psychology and development. This was a natural choice in that I’ve always loved being with kids be it casually and as a gymnastics coach. I’m able to sense and respect how a child is feeling. I enter the child’s world and we’re co-guided from there.

Portfolio

Applied Ethics
I followed-up my B.A. with an M.A. in Applied Ethics.

When I consider the nature of humans, the fact that we all operate from our own set of ethical principles, it is apparent that we all hold the power to elicit amazing emotions in ourselves and in others.

Here I find opportunities to capture spirited moments which always live in our “mind’s eye”, and to transport these moments into a form that we can share with others – photographs!

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Denise Van Amsterdam

Intrigued by human emotion from a very young age I was born into becoming a photographer. My sensitivity to emotional conditions has always been heightened. I “read” emotions quite well and am able to sense and respect how a child is feeling.

Children's images

The spirit and emotions that I love to catch include joy, peace, love, thoughtfulness, serenity and playfulness - the beauty of human form, especially gymnasts and dancers. I also enjoy discovering ways to make all body types beautiful.

People are most comfortable in their natural environments. Being with someone you trust is especially conducive to feeling safe and free to express. Pets are amazing for eliciting relaxed shots where people just get be themselves.

Pet images

With digital imaging, I’m now able to transform people and ideas into a new“reality”. My (and your1) imagination is the limit, and what can be more fun than exploring that! So, enter my photo gallery if you haven’t already, and glimpse how I “Catch the Spirit”.

Digital images