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

Amanda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

In 2021 I started volunteering as a photographer at the New Melle, Missouri farmer’s market. I went out on the weekend and took photos to help it get off the ground and have content for social media to highlight the participating vendors. The market has continued to grow each year. It’s important to me, because New Melle is home too me. It is my community and I want all the local farmers and makers to have a space that allows them to create and grow within the community. After about a year, Wyatt (The founder of New Melle Market) had an idea to launch the New Melle Food Co-Op, and once again asked for my help with it. It will be opening in Spring 2023 and is a massive step towards restoring traditional community values. By partnering with local farmers, they will make locally grown and harvested food accessible and affordable to members of the community where the farmers themselves live and work. Letting farmers have a local place to sell their food and where the community can buy fresh food is so important and meaningful to me. I was so excited when Wyatt asked for my help designing the CO-OP logo. I was able to create a logo that is so impactful to so many. The logo embodies our community and symbolized New Melle, a town and people that have been such a huge part of my own life. Seeing the logo appear in so many places has been so much fun. I wanted to make sure the logo was timeless and authentic. I feel that the logo represents the friendly people you will meet at the market and CO-OP in New Melle. It also highlights the water tower that is known by everyone in town. It feels good to volunteer my time in photography and design for this worthwhile cause that I believe in.

Amanda , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a full-time Art Director, and on the weekends, I am a freelance photographer and designer. Growing up, I knew I wanted a career that would keep me creating new things and using my eye for design in an impactful way. I started to take graphic design courses early in high school. I ensured I knew all the tricks of Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and others. Getting to know those programs early on helped make the rest of the path to where I am today easier. While programs are always getting something new, the basics never change. In college, I took every art and design course I could, eventually getting my BFA in graphic design and a minor in studio arts from Lindenwood University. During college, I did photography on the side, something I still do to this day. It keeps me sharp, creative and always growing and developing my skills. I have spent time in both agency, and corporate jobs and always have kept learning along the way. In my free time (ha), I can be found visiting national parks with my husband or hanging out with our (3) cats. I also probably have a photoshoot on the weekend or have something going on at the farm.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to help people have affordable photography and design options and to capture real moments. I try to have meaningful connections with each of my clients. I have set rates for sessions/design work, but I also have a name-your-price option where I can help create a custom, affordable session for your specific needs. I love to build relationships with my clients, and many of my clients to this day are repeat customers who have turned into friends. Some of the best photos are the unplanned spontaneous ones; I look for those moments and capture that.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, it’s seeing your work in the real world and knowing that you impacted something and that people are seeing your work. The first time it happened for me was when I did a large tradeshow booth at my first agency job, and I got to go to the tradeshow and see it in person. Walking around a bunch of big booths and then turning a corner and seeing your work is amazing. You feel accomplishment, excitement, and fulfillment. I get so excited when I run across something out in the wild that I had a part in. It makes the occasional late nights, creative block, and client edits worth it!

Contact Info:

• Website: amandarie.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandarie__/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amandariephotography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-strauser-81145b151/
• Other: portfolio.amandarie.com

Image Credits
Amanda Rie Photography – Amanda Strauser