Hey, I 'm Amanda!
And if you're here, I'm guessing you're in need of my photographic services. I can tell you all about the gear I use, what my style is, and all the technical aspects of what I do, but I don't want to bore you. Instead, let me tell you a bit about me.
I'm a wife to Seth and a mama to Kenzie and Eve, and I actually started photography as a challenge to myself. After stumbling onto Jasmine Star and the late Jessica Claire's blogs back in 2008, and I was hit with a challenge. If they could create these beautiful images, why couldn't I? (Did I mention I'm a little competitive?) From there, I was hooked. I love the constant challenge each session or wedding presents, and I'm continually learning and pushing myself to be better.
There are a few things that I believe in with my whole being - that every season is Cold Coffee season, Cubs baseball is the best, country music is where it's at, true crime is not a weird fascination, and sarcasm (as well as movie quotes and song lyrics) count as another language.
My Why
Throughout my life, my extended family has always been very important to me, but none more than my grandparents. My fondest childhood memories include countless trips up to Northern Iowa to visit my Grandma Betty and Grandpa Vernie and walks through the yard to our next door neighbors, my Grandma Faye and Grandpa Raymond.
Often times, these visits would center around loads of stories told around the kitchen table or while sitting out in the yard under the trees with neighbors that would stop by.
Every now and again, these stories would spark a special memory, and that's when the photos came out! This is how I would get to know the history of our family and where I came from. This is the legacy that would continue to be passed down from my grandparents to my parents, from myself to my girls. This is why photography is a cornerstone in my life.
Photographs allow us to remember days gone by - the feelings of joy, of connection, the smells and sounds of the moment. These memories are all there, tucked away in every tearful photo of a groom seeing his bride for the first time, every image of your children laughing, every portrait of your teenager captured just before they transition from being your baby to entering the adult world.
My calling is to help you continue your legacy. Create tangible memories that can be passed down again and again for generations to come.
Places I've Been
I've had the incredible opportunity to travel for a number of weddings and engagements throughout my decade+ career. From the shores of Alabama to the evergreen forests of Washington state, I've been able to create magic for my couples in gorgeous, unique locations. I look forward to even more of this in the years to come!
My Location Bucket List
Ireland
England
Colorado
New England
Hawaii
Utah
My Favorite Things
FAVORITE SPORT: Baseball! I'm a Cubs girl through and through, but I genuinely love the game and will watch regardless of who's playing.
FAVORITE TEAMS: Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Vikings, Iowa State Cyclones
FAVORITE TV: The Great British Baking Show, anything Marvel, Bluey, Disney movies
FAVORITE SUPERHEROS: Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanoff, Buffy Summers
GUILTY PLEASURE: Scrolling TikTok while eating ice cream in bed
DRINKS OF CHOICE: Vanilla Iced Coffee (year round), Cherry Slush Alani
YEARS AS A PHOTOGRAPHER: 15 - And that number still shocks me!
FAVORITE DESTINATION: The Pacific Northwest, specifically Multnomah Falls