We were lucky to catch up with Amanda Rae Moreno recently and have shared our conversation below.

Amanda Rae, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

In a display case in my entry way sit three portraits that are about a century old. My great grandmother, my grandmother with her parents and sisters, and a slightly less old colorized portrait of my grandmother and grandfather who was decked out in his green Army suit from WWII.

This is my story. My history. But it started with a photographer and a camera.

I cherish these few images I have of generations long gone. I hope my legacy is to be that photographer for someone else’s grandchild or great grandchild for generations to come.

I am more than just a person with a fancy camera. I am a story teller. And I can freeze time. I can document your story and preserve your history.

My hope is that a century from now, the photo I took will be in display cases in homes throughout the world.

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

Having served as a Navy photojournalist for 20 years, my approach to documenting the moment is a little different. My first tour was at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia. When I say things move fast on a jet base, I mean it! I have photographed images hanging out the side of the helicopter! I have photographed some of the military’s most senior leaders at the Pentagon!

Things like that really drive you to think quickly on your feet and keep a level head no matter what is going on.

Because of this, I am able to provide my clients a fun and relaxed portrait experience. I can easily adapt to meet the needs of my clients. And I have loads of patience for my littlest clients, which can include young children and even pets.

I strive to capture consistent, classic images for every person who steps in front of my camera.

My shooting settings in the Navy were varied. So I think that is why I tend to also shoot a wide variety of portraits now. From families and children, to wedding, to business branding, I like constantly pushing myself to meet the unique needs of every session request.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Growing up, my stepmother was a professional photographer. We even had our own darkroom. She had so much knowledge to give and I truly didn’t take advantage of that resource as a young punk kid. Then I went on to military training for photography, and really didn’t take advantage of being taught by some of the best photographers in the country.

Honestly, while I loved photography, I didn’t take advantage of any of the formal training I got in college, either.

It wasn’t until I had my own kids that I got serious about truly learning the art and science behind photography. At that point it became a never ending pattern of shoot and Google and shoot and YouTube and shoot some more until I finally mastered the skills needed to provide consistent results every time I pick up my camera.

How’d you meet your business partner?

During the time when I finally got serious about portrait photography, I had my three youngest kids. I had three under three for a little while. It was challenging, but always rewarding. Feeding meals to three under three, I truly felt like a mama bird with a nest of babies. Thus Three Chickadees was born.

I know a lot of photographers name their business after themselves. But I had a vision that one day Three Chickadees would grow and have multiple associate shooters under the brand name.

And guess what, this past year it finally did. What I wouldn’t have guessed back when my three now teenagers were being spoon-fed pureed carrots was that my first associate shooter would be my very own child! Bailey has two years of formal photography training, has won dozens of awards for his photographs, and has even been published! It is an honor to shoot along side him and see his love and skill for photography grow!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.threechickadeesphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/threechickadeesphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThreeChickadees

Image Credits

Self portrait by Bailey Sullivan, Three Chickadees Photography
Portfolio images by Amanda Rae Moreno, Three Chickadees Photography