Conversations with Amanda Barrett

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Barrett.

Hi Amanda, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Hi! I’m Amanda! I am the owner and photographer of Amanda Barrett Photography. I have been taking photos for as long as I can remember but my love for the camera was rekindled on my 30th birthday, a friend took photos of me and I immediately needed to do the same for others. Shortly after that, my grandmother passed away and the importance of having memories documented in the form of photos was in my face. Since then, I have established my business as one that not only provides a fun and relaxing experience during the session but also ends with archival art that adorns your home for generations.

I’m sure you’ve all experienced the loss of digital files (and yes, cloud backups are great when they work and are kept up to date), and maybe you recognize the ever-changing and fast turnaround of new technologies that quickly become outdated (think floppies, CDs, flash drives), but it is entirely possible that the archival artwork you’ll receive when working with me will outlive multiple generations and many digital files you have today. Memories fade and can deceive us, but museum-quality photos last forever.

I love knowing that the photos I have taken for my own family and my clients will last for generations and that one day in many many years, someone will be flipping through an album or inheriting the beautifully framed piece of their great-grandmother as a tiny toddler.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Oh, it certainly has not been smooth, but you know what they say – anything worth having is worth fighting for!

Some of the struggles in starting a photography business have been around figuring out marketing and the business side of things.

Give me a good light source and a camera, and I’m golden, but the business side of things has been a long journey of learning. It’s not something I learned in school, so I’ve spent a lot of time learning it as I go.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Motherhood photography! I specialize in fine art newborn, child, and family photography. What I think sets me apart aside from the beautiful product options, is that I am as involved as you’ll let me be.

I can design your family’s wardrobe complete with links to where to buy the pieces (and even have a client wardrobe that’s always included), I work with you in advance to decide on location and setup design, and I walk you through image selection, so you’ll only buy what you truly love, I can even take a photo of your walls and design a gallery that you know you’ll love on your very own walls!

There is no point where you’ll be left on your own and feel overwhelmed. I want this experience to be fun and relaxing, not stressful and overwhelming because I recognize there is plenty of that feeling that comes along with just being a whole human, especially one raising little humans!

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Networking is something I’ve had to really work on because I’m a true introvert when it comes to crowds! I love being around people on a small scale, but I feel so goofy and awkward in a crowd. But, I say just do it. Go out there and find your people.

Be yourself so everything is organic and natural. As for finding a mentor, really figure out who you are and what values are most important to you and find someone who aligns with that. You’ll find your people if you’re keeping your values true.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amandabarrettphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandabarrettphoto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amandabarrettphoto
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amanda-barrett-photography-llc/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/acbarrettphoto
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@amandabarrettphoto
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/4gKWcV0wnyb
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@amandabarrettphoto 

Image Credits
Amanda Barrett Photography