We were lucky to catch up with Mandy Penn recently and have shared our conversation below.
Mandy, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
I self-published a book at the beginning of February, and boy, was that NOT in my wheelhouse. As a photographer, I tell people’s stories through imagery. The book was my way of telling stories through the images that I did for each author but also gave each author a platform to expand on the story they decided to tell.
Going from a photographer to a curator and Amazon Best Seller seemed like a stretch, especially when I was always horrible at writing assignments in school. I felt like jumping from portraits to curating a book was a huge risk – what if people didn’t like it? What if the images didn’t portray what I wanted them to, or didn’t do the story justice? The Hands They Were Dealt.
The Hands They Were Dealt is a literary sanctuary where courage takes center stage. In The Hands They Were Dealt, you will find a compelling collection that will take you on an intimate journey through the narratives of 14 resilient souls. Within these pages of the inspiring anthology are emotionally charged tales of triumph over adversity that create a tapestry of strength and resilience.
These are courageous people who have faced life’s traumas head-on. Their unfiltered anecdotes reveal the complexities of heartbreak, loss, addiction, and abuse. As you read each chapter, you will see them beautifully interwoven with expressive art that illustrates the emotions and experiences of the authors.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a member of the Professional Photographers of America, I’ve won the Best of Springs for 2019 and 2020, and I’m a member of PRIDE411! I’m a Certified Professional Photographer, and I’m currently pursuing my Master’s in Photography! If my business were made into a Friends episode it would be called: The One With Good Morning America. Yep! I was featured on Good Morning America’s website for my Friends themed newborn shoot! It was also published on POPSUGAR, Sad Panda, and more!
I take photography seriously, but I’m actually a very fun and silly person! I’m obsessed with the show Friends, (in case you couldn’t tell from the whole Good Morning America thing) and I’m definitely a blend of Monica, Phoebe, and Rachel! Although, from the photo here you may also see I have a bit of Chandler in me! Could I BE any goofier? You may or may not (but definitely will) see some of that Friends influence in my studio! I’m a mom to twins and yes, they keep me on my toes! I’m married to a wonderfully supportive man who helps me pursue my dreams, and in my spare time I like to sip at vanilla chai, munch on sour patch kids (my favorite!), love on my dog Kadin, and sing!
I’ve been a professional photographer for several years! I know for a lot of people, photography begins as a hobby, but that’s not the case for me. I’ve actually been in the industry for a long time, but I was in FRONT of the camera, as a model! I loved modeling, but one day I had a truly awful experience at a modeling call and realized I didn’t ever want to model again. I was passionate about the industry of photos, though, and I knew I couldn’t leave it behind for good. I realized what I loved about it had nothing to do with modeling— it was about being part of creating an entire atmosphere that led to a beautiful finished product! That’s when I decided to get BEHIND the camera, and you can bet after my experience that I vowed to ensure every single person I photographed would have an AMAZING time. That’s why my number one priority is YOUR experience! I’ve catered every single aspect of my photo shoots to fit your needs, from the carefully designed and soothing studio to the creative themes we can develop together! Let’s be sure to have fun! I know that the finished product won’t be as beautiful and memorable as we both want if we don’t enjoy ourselves along the way!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a curator, author, and photographer is how it provides my authors with a platform to tell their stories. Whether that remains the only place their story goes or it propels them onto bigger stages, it serves as a stepping stone for them. Many of my authors never imagined that their stories would be so well-received or that they had anything significant to offer the world. However, the world and people crave our stories—the hope within trauma, the challenges we overcome that shape us, and the choice to become stronger rather than broken.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
This book is meant to be a beacon of hope for those going through similar traumas and for those who have a story to tell. The Hands They Were Dealt is VOL 1 of many. I will be doing one every other year or so. Everyone has a story to tell and not everyone wants to tell theirs now, and that’s okay, Telling your story helps people connect and can impact someone’s life in ways unimaginable and that is what this book is meant for.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thehandstheyweredealt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehandstheyweredealt
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehandstheyweredealt
- Other: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hands-They-Were-Dealt-Inspirational/dp/B0CTJJWFNM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=P3CQIBEY1FIT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MfW-ePvx-tShSjgImvQc47jaJ0SRmghVmdBOFVseh5DIN2yLwCSsltAmZK32WTu3muXA6ukV4zWlMwc-0MrWM97_7lVSvxM6ee-Q839eTsw.zPSIbgwKaLrrEHa3AjaElkwyUqSNbEXfzlXMowfHIxg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+hands+they+were+dealt+book&qid=1710975428&sprefix=teh+hands+the%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-1
Image Credits
Mandy Penn Photography