In these “After Hours” posts, members of the group tell the stories behind the pictures they have posted, and explain what motivates and inspires them. This week we have Amy Bader who posted this image in March  for 9am:

• Which Camera did you use?

I’m a Nikon shooter, and this from my D700, with a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 lens

• Do you have any plans for the next 9 months, what do you hope to achieve this year?

For this particular project, I hope to push myself to do different things, shoot in new environments.  I’ve also quietly been doing another 365 project — after completing one in 2011 it has been difficult to repeat.  I am hoping to continue to grow my portrait photography business, but my biggest goal is to return to some other art media and write more.

• Was this is typical day for you?

It’s what I wish a typical day was like!  Currently I only make it to a yoga class about once a week, barring sick children or snow days.  I would like to incorporate more days like this in my life.

• Why did you choose to post this photo?

I started practicing Iyengar Yoga about 2 years ago, thanks to the encouragement of a lovely friend.  During this hectic time in motherhood, I can’t commit to going nearly as much as I would like, but on the days that I can practice I feel released, more peaceful (with 3 kids I’m never totally at peace), more aware of my body and my spirit.  Due to our family’s schedules, I can usually only attend a 9am class, so it was really important to me to document the way I prefer to spend that hour.  Plus, our studio is just such a lovely, light-filled space.

• Do you usually shoot at this hour, or was this new to you?

This is the first year that all my children are in school full-time, so 9am marks the beginning of my personal time.  While I often choose to spend it indulging in a few moments of internet surfing and a 2nd cup of coffee, there are mornings that I use it to shoot wonderful morning light.  But this was the first time I’d shot in an unfamiliar place where I needed to put myself out there and ask permission to shoot just for art’s sake. That was new, and it was lovely to be welcomed by my yoga community.

• Finally, how about a bonus picture?