We were lucky to catch up with Amber Andrews recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Amber thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

Andrews Artistry didn’t start with some grand business plan — it kind of grew with me. In the beginning, I was mostly tucked behind a computer, retouching photos for other photographers and creative teams. I loved the detail work, but there was always this quiet voice saying, “You could build the whole picture, not just polish the edges.”

Then came 2020 — the year everything flipped upside down. The company Brooke and I worked for, Craftsy (later called Bluprint), shut down during COVID. Suddenly, we were both out of jobs, sitting there wondering what was next. It was one of those strange moments that’s both terrifying and freeing. I already had Andrews Artistry as a freelance side project, but that was the push to finally take it seriously — not just for me, but for Brooke, too. Once we started working together, it just clicked. Her illustration and design skills brought this fresh, imaginative layer to the photography and branding work I’d been doing.

Those early days were messy and full of trial and error. We tried to merge all our ideas into one tidy system — and at one point, even gave all our packages ridiculous names. (Fun fact: “The Cosmic Cat” was a real contender before we realized no one had a clue what it meant.) But all that experimenting helped us find our rhythm and figure out what really mattered: blending creativity with clarity, and helping clients actually feel seen.

Our first big win was Fancy Tiger Crafts. They brought us on to handle all their photography, and it was the perfect mix of color, craft, and community. We’d swap shooting days just to keep things fresh and stay inspired — it felt like we were building something that truly reflected both of us.

Since then, Andrews Artistry has grown, shifted, and expanded, but the heart has stayed the same: we help creatives and small businesses show up in the world with visuals that feel like them. The kind that tell a story — quirks, colors, cats, and all.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

We transform scattered ideas into cohesive brand visuals—through photography, design, and websites—so creatives and small businesses can confidently share their story and attract clients who truly connect with their work. We help creative business owners build cohesive brands—from photos to design to websites—so they can show up with clarity and confidence every time. We work with artists, authors, and entrepreneurs to turn their vision into a cohesive brand. Unlike agencies that keep design, photos, and websites separate, we bring them together—so your whole brand looks and feels cohesive, without the overwhelm.

Here’s how it works:
* Book a quick consultation call where we’ll talk through your goals, struggles, and what’s keeping you stuck.
* We’ll build your visual brand system—including design, photography, website elements, and templates—that’s tailored to your work, your audience, and your process.
* You launch and reuse like a pro, knowing your brand is working behind the scenes while you focus on doing what you love.

Because here’s the truth:
When your brand doesn’t connect, neither does your marketing. And that means missed opportunities, messy messaging, and money down the drain. But when you show up looking legit? People listen, trust, and buy faster.
Our clients leave saying things like, “This finally feels like me,” or “Now I can actually show up without the stress.” And that’s exactly what we want for you, to bring that “hell yes” energy back to your business.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Andrews Artistry started as my side hustle — the thing I poured myself into after hours, fueled by creative energy and maybe a little too much caffeine. For years, it was just me doing photography and retouching between other jobs, always with this quiet hope that one day it could be more than a “someday” project.

That “someday” came a lot faster than expected. When the company Brooke and I worked for — Craftsy, later known as Bluprint — shut down during COVID, it was like someone flipped a switch. One day I had a steady job; the next day, I was staring down an open calendar and an open door. So I decided to walk through it. Andrews Artistry became my full-time focus overnight, and honestly, it felt both terrifying and freeing.

Working with Brooke quickly turned that uncertainty into something exciting. Our skills just fit — her eye for illustration and design added this spark that transformed what I’d been doing on my own. Over time, the business grew from “photo and retouching” into a full creative studio. We didn’t just want to make things look nice; we wanted to help people feel seen through their visuals — whether that’s a brand shoot, a logo, or a full-on website.

This year has been a big one. I was finally able to hire Brooke full time and offer benefits — which, for a small creative business, felt huge. It’s one thing to work with someone you trust creatively; it’s another to be able to build something sustainable together.

Last year’s rebrand also changed everything. We took a hard look at who we were serving, what lit us up creatively, and how to attract more of those people — the artists, makers, dancers, and dreamers who care deeply about what they put into the world. That clarity made our work more focused, and our collaborations more fulfilling.

Now, we’re adding another layer: creating self-guided resources for folks who aren’t quite ready for a full package but still want to start building their brand. We’ve developed a Website Ready Guide, a Comprehensive Branding Workbook, and a Brand Photoshoot Preparation Guide — tools we actually use with our clients during onboarding. They give people a little taste of what it’s like to work with us: organized, creative, and supportive, with just enough humor to make the process feel fun instead of intimidating.

These days, we work with a wide mix of creatives — from dance studios and authors to small business owners — and a handful of long-term retainer clients who keep us on our toes with projects that change from week to week. One day we’re shooting photos, the next we’re designing a website or crafting a marketing campaign. It’s unpredictable, collaborative, and endlessly creative — which, honestly, is exactly how I like it.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

If there’s one thing I’ve learned running a creative business, it’s that resilience doesn’t always look like powering through — sometimes, it looks like completely reinventing the thing you thought you were building.

When Andrews Artistry first started, it was all about imagery — photography, retouching, making things look beautiful. That part came naturally to me. But over time, Brooke and I realized that our clients weren’t just asking for pretty pictures; they were asking for clarity. They wanted to understand how their visuals could actually tell their story and attract the right people.

So we did what creatives do best — we experimented. A lot. We tore apart our service list, rebuilt it, renamed it (several times), and learned the hard way that clever package names are only fun for us, not our clients. There were months that felt like nothing was quite clicking, but we kept asking questions, testing ideas, and paying attention to what lit us up.

Slowly, we shifted from being a photography-focused business to a full creative studio — one that blends photography, design, and strategy to help people express who they are. It wasn’t a single “aha” moment; it was a thousand small pivots. Every time something didn’t fit, we reshaped it until it did.

That process taught me that resilience isn’t about holding on tight — it’s about letting go with intention. The more we refined, the clearer our vision became. And now, our clients feel that same clarity. They don’t just get visuals; they get direction, confidence, and a sense that their brand finally feels like them.

And honestly, that evolution — that willingness to stay curious and keep adjusting — has been the most rewarding part of the whole journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://andrewsartistry.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewsartistrystudio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewsartistrystudio
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/andrewsartistrystudio
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewsartistrystudio
• Other: https://share.google/sVbi6aBBvnoKTEFI4

Image Credits

Andrews Artistry