Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Vicars.
Hi Amanda, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I moved to Texas from Washington state back in 2020 — peak COVID — for my significant other’s work. I quickly learned that breaking into my usual field, social work, was going to be a real challenge here. So I took a hobby I’d always loved and turned it into something more: I started doing photography full time.
It ended up being so much more than a way to make a living in a new state. Being brand new to Texas and not knowing a soul, photography became how I connected with the community — and that connection is the part I treasure most. I was welcomed in by so many of the local photography groups, who took me under their wing, invited me to their group sessions, added me to their chats, and pulled me into their events. That sense of belonging, in a place where I didn’t know anyone, meant the world to me.
Since then I’ve met so many wonderful people and gotten to shoot such a wide range of sessions — and along the way I found my style: bold, vibrant, and unmistakably you. That’s what I chase in every shoot. What started as a way to stay afloat has become something I genuinely love — and I’m grateful every day that it brought me a community I now call home.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Honestly, no — it hasn’t been a smooth road, and I think the biggest challenge has been confidence. Photography is art, and art is subjective. The person viewing it gets to decide whether they like it or not — some people love my style, and some people don’t. Learning to stand in the knowledge that I’m a good photographer doing good work, even when that work isn’t for everybody, took me a long time.
That confidence struggle showed up in my pricing, too. For a long time I charged far less than my work was worth — sometimes nothing at all — telling myself I was still building my portfolio, still learning. And when photography is your sole income, selling yourself short like that makes things really hard financially. Learning to price in a way that genuinely reflects the work I put in was its own journey.
Burnout is another real one. As fun as it is to shoot — to show people how beautiful they are through someone else’s eyes — there’s a side people don’t see: you spend an hour shooting and then twenty-plus hours editing. In my head, I felt like I had to hand over every single photo so my clients felt good about what we made together, and that mindset wore me down fast. Learning to set myself up for success, instead of running myself into the ground, was something I had to figure out the hard way.
Through all of it, I’m so grateful for the models and creatives in this area who have built me up and shown me so much love. I wouldn’t be where I am without them.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a photographer, and my business is Rose Photography, based here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I’ve been shooting since 2020 — so about six years now. I recently took a little hiatus, but I’m back in full action and so excited to be creating again.
My bread and butter is creative and conceptual work, portraits, and senior sessions — that’s where my heart is and what I’m booked for most. I do weddings and events too, but the creative side is really where I come alive. I love building a concept from the ground up, playing with bold color and light, and making something that feels unexpected.
But honestly, what I’m most proud of isn’t any single shoot — it’s the way people feel when they see themselves through my lens. So many of us are our own harshest critics, and there’s nothing like watching someone look at their photos and finally see what everyone else already sees. Helping people feel beautiful, confident, and seen — that’s the part that never gets old.
If there’s one thing that sets me apart, it’s that I’ve never treated this as just taking pictures. It’s about connection. Coming into Texas as a complete stranger, photography became how I built my community — and I bring that same warmth to every session. My clients aren’t just bookings to me; they’re part of why I love what I do.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most is the sheer variety. Dallas-Fort Worth has some of the most unique places to shoot — incredible cityscapes, water and waterfalls, beautiful landscapes you wouldn’t expect from such a flat part of the country. There are so many options that no two shoots are ever alike, which keeps the creative side of me endlessly inspired. And the light here is a gift — we get so much sun, and the sunrises and sunsets are absolutely beautiful. The weather’s usually on my side, too… though I’ll admit, every now and then the forecast says clear skies and then I’m out on location getting poured on. Texas keeps you humble like that.
Texas also does the holidays big — Grapevine puts on these massive Christmas displays that are perfect for festive and themed shoots. It’s one of my favorite times of year to create.
As for what’s challenging? The summer heat, without a doubt — it is no joke out here. And because I cover all of Dallas-Fort Worth, things can be really spread out. I’ll be in Euless and someone wants to shoot all the way out in McKinney, and suddenly that’s a road trip. Throw in a little traffic and it can make for a long day. But honestly? The range of places I get to shoot more than makes up for the drive
Pricing:
- Mini Session $150
- Signature Session $375
- Luxury Session $650
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.getrosephotography.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/rosephotoboutique
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/rosephotoboutique
- Other: rosephotoboutique@gmail.com
