Who Am I? The Life Behind the Lens – April Henry Photography

Hey there, I’m April!

I’m so glad you’re here! I’m the heart and soul behind April Henry Photography. Today, I want to introduce you to the girl behind the lens.

When I’m not taking photos, you’ll find me with my amazing family. I’m a proud mom to Kendall and Kadin and a wife to an amazing man who’s supported every crazy dream I’ve ever had. Thanks to his love and encouragement, I’ve been able to turn a passion into a business I truly love. I was born and raised in York, Pennsylvania, and it’s where I call home.

Photography has always had a special place in my life, but it wasn’t until my daughter was born that I understood just how powerful it could be. I didn’t want to miss a single moment of her life—and that deep desire to freeze time turned into something so much bigger.

Let’s Go Way Back for a Minute…

I may run a photography business now, but long before I picked up a camera, I was a barefoot farm girl with a wild imagination. I grew up on a 26-acre farm, and to this day, I’m a country girl through and through.

Our farm was never short on animal companions. At one time or another, we had pigs, chickens, sheep, horses, rabbits, cats, dogs—even turtles, mice, and hamsters. I would’ve brought home every creature I could if my parents had let me!

Some of my best memories were made down by the creek that ran through our land. My best friend and I could spend entire days wading through the water, catching salamanders and crayfish, laughing, and just being kids. That little creek and the woods was our playground—and a place where imagination ran wild.

I also spent countless hours riding my bike—miles and miles each day, just exploring and soaking up that feeling of total freedom. And then there were those summer days at the local campground, where the highlight was buying penny candy and a scoop of ice cream. Life felt simple, sweet, and full of wonder. Oh, to be a kid again!

Looking back, it’s no surprise that photography became such an important part of my life. Even as a kid, I was obsessed with capturing memories. My bedroom walls were covered in photos—smiling faces of friends and family, snapshots from days I never wanted to forget. When I got to college, nothing changed. My dorm room looked like a gallery wall—photos from floor to ceiling, each one a reminder of what I loved most

My Love for Volleyball

Another big part of my story is volleyball. It was more than just a sport—it was part of our family (and friend group). Both of my parents played, and my sister and I were raised on the sidelines of countless tournaments, cheering them on and dreaming of the day we’d get to play too. Eventually, we had a sand volleyball court built right in our backyard, and it quickly became my favorite place to be. That court saw hours and hours of practice, laughter, competition, and growth.

My love for the game only grew stronger as I got older. I went on to play collegiate volleyball, which was an unforgettable experience that taught me so much about discipline, perseverance, and teamwork. One of the greatest honors of my athletic journey was being inducted into the Hall of Fame—a moment I’ll always treasure. Volleyball shaped me in so many ways, and the lessons I learned on and off the court still influence how I show up in life and in business.

After college, volleyball didn’t end—it just moved to the beach. Most weekends, you could find me playing beach volleyball at the Jersey Shore. It became a regular rhythm of life, and honestly, it was the best. The beach, the competition, the community—I met so many amazing people and teammates through those weekends in the sand.

That lifelong love for sports—especially volleyball—is one of the reasons I’m so passionate about sports sessions. There’s something incredibly special about capturing kids in motion, whether they’re sprinting across a field, leaping into the air, striking a proud pose, or swinging for the fences. Those moments are full of energy, joy, and heart—and they deserve to be remembered.

From Myrtle Beach to Motherhood

After college and playing beach volleyball, I packed up and moved to Myrtle Beach. I’ve always been a warm-weather kind of girl, and the beach has my heart—so it felt like the perfect place to land. I absolutely loved my time there—the sunshine, the ocean, the slower pace—but as much as I enjoyed coastal living, I missed my family more. Eventually, I made the decision to come back home to good old York, PA. And honestly? It was the best decision. There’s just something about home that nothing else can replace.

The very day I moved home from Myrtle Beach, my mom decided it was time to play matchmaker. She set me up with my now-husband, and well… the rest, as they say, is history. It’s funny how life works out sometimes, isn’t it?

The Unexpected Beginning of April Henry Photography

I have a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice AND a Master’s in Teaching, so photography wasn’t always the plan. But everything changed in February 2014 when my daughter arrived four weeks early—with a birth diagnosis of Down syndrome.

That moment flipped our world upside down.

We were suddenly thrown into a world of therapies, specialists, and uncertainty. I knew I had to be present. And in those quiet, everyday moments with my daughter, I picked up my camera and started capturing it all. Every smile, every milestone, every snuggle—I didn’t want to miss a thing.

From there, my love for photography grew. I started capturing friends and families—and just like that, April Henry Photography was born. I closed the door on my previous careers and stepped fully into the world of storytelling through images. I’ve never looked back.

Life Now

These days, when I’m not behind the camera, I’m at sporting events with my kids, shuttling them from place to place, going to therapy appointments with my daughter, or just soaking in family time. We’re always on the go, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. My kids are my biggest inspiration and the reason I strive to be better every day.

A Few Random Things About Me

• Biggest Fears: Snakes and spiders are a hard no. I also have a fear of flying. My biggest fear? Death and leaving my kids behind.

• Favorite Food: Lucky Charms. Yes, you read that right—breakfast of champions, right? Honestly, I love so many different foods, it’s hard to pick just one.

• Go-To Drink: Dr. Pepper, all day.

• Superpower (or curse?): I cry over everything. A sweet TV moment, a random reel, a feel-good book—I’m a softie through and through.

• Fun Fact: I actually don’t like having my photo taken! Yep, even though I’m a photographer!

• 
  

Want to Know More?

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for being here! I hope you’ve gotten a little peek into who I am and what fuels my passion for photography. If there’s anything else you’d love to know, just ask—I’d love to connect!

xoxo,

April