We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amanda Overton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amanda below.

Amanda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

For me, being successful is continuing to find the passion for photography that I had since the beginning, having the confidence in myself and my artwork, and making connections with people who have turned into life long friends. Pursuing something you are passionate about can drive you to work harder and find fulfillment in your achievements. Whether it’s getting butterflies as you lay as still as possible to capture a fox or getting to experience something you never thought you’d be able to, finding something that makes you excited day after day means that you have created something that makes you happy.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Becoming a photographer was never something that I thought I would do, but here I am 10 years since starting my photography journey and what a wild ride it has been!

When I first started taking photos, they were always just for fun. I would mainly do nature, landscapes, and animals with the occasional portrait session when someone inquired. Over the next couple of years, the amount of sessions just kept growing and the sessions started to come from complete strangers, and that’s when I knew I was getting somewhere with photography.

I do a lot of different types of sessions. Senior portraits, maternity, family, and milestones are the main ones that I do. I also do the occasional wedding. When I’m not taking photos of people, my favorite sessions are events that I get hired for. One of those is capturing the Ol’ Marais River Run out of Ottawa, KS. It’s a car show that brings in hundreds of car enthusiasts from all over the United States with cars/trucks from 1972 or older. The first half of the day all of the cars park in the largest park in town, which allows viewers to get a close-up view. Once the sun starts to set, the cruise begins downtown on Main Street with 50s/60s music playing on the speakers. Honestly, my favorite day of the year!

Being a photographer to me isn’t just about taking the photos. It’s about being able to evoke a reaction or emotion from my audience. I remember sending a gallery to a client and she texted me just minutes after saying how she never thought of herself as being beautiful, until she saw her photos. To say I was lost for words is an understatement. I never would have thought that my photos would have done something so special, so meaningful for a person to even say something like that. Since then, I have taken pride in my photography and my services for my clients, no matter what kind of session.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

One of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is being able to capture the world around me as I see it and seeing the enjoyment it brings to my audience. Getting positive feedback from clients is the best feeling in the world, no matter what kind of session or event. I am one of those people who strive for some kind of feedback, I am 100% a people pleaser. I want my clients to LOVE their photos as much as I do.

But getting clients who are confident in you and your work allows an artist to be as creative as possible and be as unique as they want to be. For me, I strive to find things from a different perspective for my nature shots and portraits alike. Whether that is climbing on top of someones shoulders for a shot, standing on a log on one foot, or even laying in the mud, a photographer will do whatever it takes to get the shot.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

For me, just getting my work out there in general has helped me grow my photography tremendously. Whether that’s using social media, a website, or simply the word of mouth, advertising your work to the audience that you want to reach is a great start.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amandaophotography.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: @amanda.o.photography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AOPhotography15