We were lucky to catch up with Amairani Thomason recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Amairani thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

As a wedding photographer you have to love the chaos that comes with the profession. If your reasons are not in their truest form, this business can make it impossible to succeed. When I started my business, I did not know what niche to focus on. I tried all types until I found wedding photography. Being an integral part of a couples’ most important day brought me a joy I didn’t know I could have from ‘work’. After a lot of meditating, I realized that it was fulfilling a childhood dream of mine, and combing that with a passion to learn and succeed in my work. Ever since I was a child, dreaming about my wedding day was something that filled my daydreams. From the dress, the celebration and the person I would be marrying, it was a constant planning process for me. I was surrounded by failed marriages which pushed me to want more. I found him in middle school. While we were not together the whole time, we found our way back to each other in adulthood. At the time, we were not in a position to have the wedding that I had always dreamt of. Don’t give me wrong, if we had to do it over, we would not change a thing. Subconsciously, I always had that longing for a wedding of my dreams. This is my why. The reason why I make each of my couple’s day as if it were my own. As if I were photographing my own wedding, and how important these photographs are. We were not able to afford a photographer but a friend did us a favor to take photos of us on my phone, and oh how I cherish those memories. I embrace the chaos that comes along with a wedding, and make it my mission for each couple I work with to walk away enjoying the whole process, and have nothing but fond memories with their gallery. I am fulfilling that little girls dream of a wedding, but instead of a one time occasion, its a monthly events for me.

Amairani, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi! My name is Amairani. I am East-Texas raised but serve the DFW, and Austin areas, and anywhere love takes me. I am a luxury wedding photographer that strives to make your wedding a memorable experience. From the moment you book, I will be your personal guide, and hype woman for your wedding day. Focusing on the experience, and creating more than just a vendor relationship. Making a connection with each of my couples and following them through each stage of life after the wedding is my goal. My collections are customizable to fit each couples’ needs and wants. I have been in business going on to 3 years now. I have always wanted to own a professional camera as a hobby but haven’t had the opportunity until my husband got a job that changed the course of our lives. I call him my main investor! After so many years of working my tail off, for someone else to benefit from during covid in a hospital setting. Years and years of staying after hours, and maintaining the pharmacy on its feet, with no recognition or any care really. I decided to find something else. Still within the pharmacy world, I found photography and started toying the idea of becoming a business owner. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would be where I am today in just three years. I came to realize that my work ethic would never change, and I would keep giving others more than they deserve. So why not put that work ethic towards my own work. That’s how my business was born, out of passion and determination to make myself a successful business owner.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I started my business in 2022, but still worked full time while I was trying to master my art. I value learning so much, and while trying to make a business I had acknowledge that being uncomfortable came with the territory. I put myself out there time and time again. Asking photographers everywhere for some direction and for them to share what they had learned thus far in their careers. This is when I found out that competition is very prominent in this industry. That was very disheartening. A slower progression in my business started, until I found a company that gave me the chance to work on my craft while having more experience with weddings. At this time I still worked full time from home. I serve the DFW and Austin area but do not live there. I travel 5+ hours for each of those cities, which is why I always schedule back to back events to take advantage of the time traveling. My first full wedding season, I came to realize how crazy it could become if I were booking all these weddings on my own. I definitely overbooked myself, and was traveling 3 weekends out of the month, while I enjoyed every moment of it, and the experience was one I will always value. This complicated things in other facets of life. I traveled on the weekends but kept working full time Monday through Friday, and had a household to run. Things got too out of hand, which is why it made me go into photography full time. I finally made the choice to choose me over others. I needed to put my family first and restrain from overbooking myself. I became a full time photographer in April 2024, and so far it has been the best choice.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I am a person who will give it my all to any job I ever had. This made me good at whatever position I was in and it made me into an object of overworking, and taking advantage of my eagerness to succeed. Working pharmacy at a toxic workplace made me realize that the last thing I wanted to do was work for someone else’s bonus. I wanted to work for me. I did not know how that would start, but I knew that with each job I would make sure that it would benefit me. Becoming a little selfish in that aspect help me realize that I can do anything. After buying my first camera and falling in love with my art, it became clear this is what I need to strive to become. a business woman. I never doubted my willingness to succeed and desire to become my own boss. It took a while to finally make the necessary changes to make that happen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amairanithomasonphotography.com/
• Instagram: @amairanithomasonphoto
• Facebook: @amairanithomasonphoto

Image Credits

Photo of myself – @chelseafarnerphotography

Other photos – by me @amairanithomasonphoto