We recently connected with Amanda and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Amanda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

A big risk I took was starting my photography business. When I jumped in, I had zero experience—I truly embodied the “fake it till you make it” mindset. I had no idea how I was going to book clients, and as someone who has always been on the shy side, putting myself out there was terrifying. I didn’t even want people I knew to find out, so I created my original business name using a combination of mine and my husband’s middle names to stay “hidden.” I felt like the biggest imposter.

To gain confidence, I started practicing with my camera, using my kids as my models. I invested in courses—one to teach me the basics of running a business and another on posing people. My husband, always my biggest supporter, believed in me even when I doubted myself. He mentioned to an acquaintance that I was a photographer, and to my surprise, they booked me for a maternity session.

I took everything I had learned from my courses and poured it into that first session. A month later, someone who saw those images reached out to book me for a small wedding. That gave me the confidence and excitement to keep going. Wanting to learn more, I attended a photography retreat for hands-on experience—and ended up booking another wedding from the images I captured there.

From that point on, my business took off, all within just five months. Now, six years later, I’ve photographed over 100 weddings and countless portrait sessions. Looking back, I’m so grateful I took the leap—it was scary, but it was worth every risk I took along the way.

Amanda, 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?

I’m a wedding and senior portrait photographer with a deep love for capturing meaningful moments. My journey into photography started with my own wedding. I had always loved pictures, but researching photographers and experiencing my own portrait sessions made me realize how powerful photography is in preserving memories. That experience sparked a passion in me to do the same for others.

I’ve always known I wanted to be involved in weddings in some way. At one point, I even considered wedding planning, but my dream of photographing weddings never faded. As for senior portraits, my motivation comes from my own experience—I had a terrible senior session that left me feeling awkward and unsure of myself. I never want another senior to feel that way. My goal is to make them feel comfortable, confident, and like themselves while capturing images they love.

What sets me apart is my ability to stay calm under stress and the way I treat my clients like family. I focus on creating a stress-free experience, both in the planning process and on the wedding day or during a senior session. I’m always watching for the little in-between moments that others might miss. At one wedding, I noticed a couple sneaking outside for a quiet moment, enjoying some cake. Instead of interrupting them, I captured the scene through a window, preserving a memory they may not have even realized they wanted.

Over the past few years, I’ve worked hard to refine my skills, and I can see such a difference in my work. More importantly, my clients feel at ease and trust me to capture them authentically. I’m so proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m incredibly grateful for every couple and senior who invites me to be part of their story.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about me, it’s that I do everything I can to make their experience stress-free. Whether it’s a wedding day or a senior session, I strive to be a calming presence so my clients can relax and enjoy the moment—because that’s when the best images happen.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Running a photography business isn’t cheap, and for years, the cost of gear was what held me back. I finally purchased my first full-frame camera using a tax return. I had reached a point where it was now or never, so I took the leap. From there, I slowly built my collection of lenses and eventually upgraded to a mirrorless camera by accepting every job that came my way. I set aside a little from each session, which helped me quickly reinvest in new gear, a website, advertising, and other business expenses.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a photographer is knowing I’ve captured a special moment in time for my clients. With seniors, it’s so exciting to document who they are before they step into the real world—capturing a time in their life when they are truly carefree.

For my wedding clients, it’s about preserving every part of their day—the pure joy, the meaningful moments with family, and the little details that make their story unique. Every guest plays a role in that story, from a mother’s tears as she watches her daughter dance with her father to a groom’s mom carefully pinning his boutonnière. I love capturing proud grandparents beaming with joy and the friends who can’t wait to celebrate the couple.

I smile while editing galleries, knowing I’ve frozen these moments in time. My clients will be able to relive them for years to come, cherishing every small, beautiful detail.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amandalaurencollective.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandalaurencollective/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amandalaurencollective
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/amanda-lauren-collective-marysville