The creation, growth and understanding of an Artist | Michigan Photographer

I started my photographic journey because i just loved the way taking photos made me feel. The feeling you get when you get that breath taking shot is something unknown to many people. I know that feeling. I love that feeling. And for lack of a better analogy i will say its like a drug for me. I am constantly seeking out that feeling and the high i get from it. I love when i see something in my head and can produce it to a hard copy image. I feel i am first a dreamer artist and second a photographer.

 My journey has taken many twists and turns. I have learned SO many aspects of life as a photographer. Some were very unknown in the beginning. Like how attached you get to your clients, or exactly how much actual work goes in to a single 8x10 photo.

I have shed so many tears, spent hours frustrated and days elated over a single image. I have shared in such precious moments of other human lives and danced and cried with them in many ways. I cannot truly translate to words the photographer i want to be. I feel like i am getting there. There is always something to learn and things that can be tweaked.

 I have made some big changes in my business this year and it is not going unnoticed by my clients. For one the big thing being prices. I was feeling so sheepish and shy about announcing my new pricing. Not because i was procrastinating but because i was a little scared of people sounding off about it. I didn't want to "Upset" anyone. I have spent the last two years tiptoeing around making my business what i want it to be. Why?  To appease others and to not lose clients.

 I have been doing some real soul searching lately. Some business soul and personal soul.

I spend hours on end editing photos or planning sessions. I spend days returning emails and answering questions, researching new techniques for improving my photos, marketing, blogging and many other business related tasks. These are all "Work".  All these tasks take me away from the ones i love. And i like you need to be making sure i am getting paid for the hours i work.

I always hope that when my clients receive their products that they know in their heart, that their investment was totally worth it. That is the whole goal. I don't want to give you photos that you plan to change in 3 months. I am not walmart's portrait studio. I don't just want to be there to capture what your child looks like at age 3. I want you to be able to see their 3 year old soul, the love in their face, the silly and the curiosity of a child's mind. I want you to invest in a true piece of art not just a picture. I strive to produce images that can absolutely melt you. Even if you look at them 10 years from now.

I have spent quite a while improving my craft. I have invested countless hours and dollars. Not because i just want to be a photographer and make money, but because i want to melt hearts, create art and be able to do it without being hindered by a 9-5 job.  

"I do not want to be hired for my prices, i want to be hired because you love my work and absolutely have to have it"

The birth of a child,  a newborn session, a wedding and so many other special moments will never be able to be recreated. You get one chance, one shot to capture those moments. There is no redo.

 I find myself heart broken for people when i see someone skimp on their childs first photos because they wanted to save $50+ or they let a family member with a point and shoot do their wedding photos to save money in the budget. No one will remember that you had chair coverings at your wedding or that it was at the most expensive place in the state. The only memories of that day that will last 100 years from now,  are the ones the images captured.

Nobody, not even you, will remember exactly what your child looked like at 5 days old. But the beautiful images on canvas that hang in his room, will forever tell you of his chubby face and whispy little hairs on the top of his head. Only those images will show the fine little hairs on his shoulder and his pouty pink lips pursed just so.

These are YOUR moments. These images are all you get for those moments, for the rest of your life. Like any other long term investment there is a price. But there is one thing that is different from other large investments. The love you will feel for these images will not fade with the style. The style fades with the newest washer and dryer, or the fanciest pair of shoes, or the sportiest car. The same love for a photo is always there. Even a hundred years from now. It may not even be you loving the photo. A hundred years from now it may be your great great grandchild loving the photo.

And that is what i strive for. I want people to love my work the way i do. Not love my price more than the work. I want people to say "Amanda Marie Photography does the BEST work" not "She has the cheapest prices in town". I was cheaper than Sears. That, is a problem. Sears says sit here and smile just so. Anyone can do that. Like i have said before it takes a true artist to capture your soul. I truly feel i am a true artist. And i hope you feel the same. I understand if i lose clients over pricing. It saddens me but i understand.

Here is a wonderfully written article about custom photography. I urge you to check it out. This article really gives great insight into the world of pricing for custom photographers.

I am so thankful for the clients who have stayed and supported me as i have grown into the photographer i am and am still becoming. I am so thankful for the past clients who gave me a chance to practice on their families. Without them i would have never been able to learn my craft.

Hello 2011, so nice to see you | Michigan Family Photographer | Michigan Child Photographer

I opened my business officially in January of 2010. At that time i was still totally scared out of my wits. With this last year there have been so many changes. LOTS of learning took place, huge equipment upgrades and one gigantic confidence boost. Along with so many great moments shared with fabulous new friends and clients.

When i started out i knew i wanted this to be my career. I wanted this to be my lively hood. I just did not know how to get from opening my new Nikon camera box, to getting paid to actually use it. I have finally made it across that bridge. Of course not without the help of many many people...Teachers, fellow photogs, youtube etc HAHA. The learning is never done, i will always be learning. But i come into 2011 knowing that this IS what i am meant to do. Creating art for the walls and hearts of wonderful families.

I do not consider what i do just taking a photo or just capturing a memory. I consider it an Art. I expect to see it hanging on walls not locked in a shoe box somewhere. I take my work very seriously. When you invest into your session i know you are investing into your future. How? These are memories for a lifetime. These are images that will bring back a time in your life, a feeling or even a song. Anyone can take a photo. And anyone can charge you to take a photo. It takes a real true artist to capture your soul, your love, the little things that you remember. Anyone can tell your child to say "Cheese" and snap the shutter. But it takes a true artist to capture the right moment where your heart skips a beat because of that deep look in their eye or that silly face that always makes you laugh. I want to be a true artist. Not just a "Photographer". These days everyone is a photographer. Just ask anyone with a Dslr they will tell you so.

2011 is my year to really set myself apart from others. I don't want to just be that girl who takes photos anymore. The changes that are coming are exciting. New branding, New products and packaging and with that new pricing and policies. You can view some of the new pricing on my website here.


I am just so thankful for all the folks who have stood behind me these last few years pushing me and supporting my dream. I really could not have gotten here with out all of them who let me practice on their families time and time again. I hope you will join me this year and let me create the art that is your family.  Happy 2011 to you all!!!!

~A

FAQ: Winter + Studio | ?

So with the blustery weather on its way i seem to get asked the same question a lot. And i have some fun answers. Outside of the box fun answers.

Q: What do you do in the Winter time since you have no studio?

 A#1: I have fun! In your home! I know what you are thinking...In my HOME?! Whats fun in the home? You are fun! Your family is fun! Think more documentary style. You and the kids making cookies, Bath time, Silly time, Story time, and Bed time. Are those not the true moments of a family. THAT is a true family photo. Doing what families do. Where do i come into this? I am the fly on the wall documenting the moments. No saying Cheese, No yelling look at the camer, just you , your family and your life....Being documented.

 A#2: SNOW BALL FIGHT!!!!!! How fun would it be to just go sledding, have a snowball fight or make snow angels together? And then come in for a cup of Hot Cocoa. Another real family moment!


Q: Why don't you have a studio/ When will you get your studio?

A: I do not have a studio for quite a few reasons. Reason # 1 I feel confined and so do children, Reason #2 I feel like studios produce the same image for everyone,  i like to let my clients create their own moments not create a moment for them and then set them on the proper spot, Reason #3 Studio lighting does nothing for me as of yet,  Reason #4 I am a rebel, i have always been different, and well i choose to remain that way into my adulthood.

A: When will i get a Studio? Probably not anytime soon. Studios are a dime a dozen, you however are one unique creature. I plan to take my Photography (and Family) on the road. Opening a studio now would make no sense at this time, as i would have to shut it down.


I hope these have helped answer maybe a couple questions about my Photography you may have had. On-Location Photography is so much fun and can really become whatever you want it to be. Just have to get yourself out of that Mass Production Portrait Studio box.

Hope you have a Fantabulous Weeked!!!




 

The right way to Pose

Just a quick thought i wanted to share. I always say i don't like posing people. Its true. Kind of. Sometimes the best pictures come from posing them and waiting.


So I think i now believe it's not about the "Right" way to pose, its about any pose and waiting for the "Right" moment.


Here are two examples of what i would consider the "Right" moment.

These are two people very special to me. Travis and Carli are not just clients of mine they are my good pals. If only you could hear the conversation during these..."Smile like you love me", "Mmmm your hair smells so good". HAHAHA Guess you had to be there.

Perfect Vs Perfect

I have been Photographing "B" since she was about 5 weeks old. She has always been my "Serious" child. Never got a smile from her until her 1 Year pictures. She has always captivated me with her deep thought type looks. She has always had something going on in her since the very first day. Her Firey Red hair makes it all the more interesting and fabulous. I recently got to hang with "B" and her family again...Twice. We were hoping the second time would produce some smiles. It did not. And you know what. I am not sad about it. I left thinking..."B" is who she is. 

Is a Perfect picture really a child smiling so perfectly? For "B" the answer is no. I truly believe that the photographs i captured were Perfectly "B". Her as herself. Not some fake smiling kid. Just her. And she is absolutely perfect in all of her shots. Because they are all of her being "B".

                                  Here is a Sneak Peek of "B" in all her perfectness.

A~

Jamie + Josh {MSU Horticulture Gardens}

Earlier this year i donated a gift certificate to a Cat Rescue Fundraiser here in Michigan. One day i got a phone call from Jamie. I get so excited to meet new people. And yet i still get nervous. I was nervous. I was hoping they couldn't tell.


We met at a Taco Bell and i followed them to these beautiful gardens at MSU. I had never been there so i was excited.

We just walked around and pointed out spots and snapped away. It was a really great and relaxed time. We got some great silly shots too. Just a great way to spend a morning.

Josh had a hard time not cracking up with the serious face HAHA!

The slippery bridge

                                We found this boy in the children's garden...So they read a book with him HAHA!

Thanks Jamie and Josh for such an great morning...And i surely hope i am spelling your names right!!