Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Alexander.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I come from an artistic family, I guess you can say it’s always been in my blood. I went from a small after school photography class, to the high school yearbook, to my mom buying me my first DSLR on my 27th birthday. From the second I got my camera, I researched every little thing about it. Teaching myself all the manual settings. Practicing my composition. Borrowing my son’s laptop to edit. I read blogs, articles, watched YouTube tutorials, and practiced some more. I set up modeling sessions with friends and family. Any chance I could to just get better, I took it. I can’t tell you how proud of those first photos I was. I felt like I was born to do exactly this and I finally found it.
Now, a little over 3 years later, booked months in advance, booking weddings for over a year from now, I never imagined that this would be my life. Doing something I love to do. Creating memories for my clients makes me so happy. Getting those “OMG, you’re amazing” or “I love our photos so much” messages warms my heart more than I thought possible. I have the most amazing clients. Some that I see 2-3 times a year! I’ve seen babies go from in their mommy’s tummy, to merely days old, to their first birthdays. I’ve seen those same babies’ welcome siblings of their own. Seeing my bride and grooms having their own families is probably one of the best feelings. My clients mean the world to me. They keep food in our fridge and clothes on my kids. If I could tell them thank you every single day I would. I wouldn’t have a story to share if it wasn’t for them.
Please tell us about your art.
I save your memories for you. Did you ever look at your pregnant belly and wish you could remember this feeling, show that baby how he or she changed your life forever? Did you ever see the teeny hairs or the tiny fingers of your newborn baby and wish you could remember how little they were in that moment? Did you see your love at the end of that isle and try to cling to that moment forever? That’s what I do. I capture those for you. I give them to you, sometimes even wrapped up in a bow, so you have something to pass down to your children and theirs. My work is my passion, my art, and a little bit of my soul.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
Keep going! Keep working! Keep learning! Keep growing!
I was one of those, and still kind of am, one of those artists struggling because of finances. I can’t always afford my dream workshops across the country or a mentorship with my favorite photographers but I know if I work hard enough then someday I will. Having my own camera equipment was such a huge deal to me before I started. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would own half of the things I use but I made it happen. It wasn’t overnight but I worked my behind off for every piece.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
You can find Amanda Raylee Photography so many places. Google helps! My website is amandaraylee.com and you can find my blogs, pricing, galleries, contact form, etc. all there. I’m always shooting around the DFW, weddings all over the place, and you can even find me at my studio in Downtown Mckinney some days. My recent work can be found via Facebook and Instagram. I love sharing my sessions and weddings with everyone so my clients can share them, which bring me to how to support!
Nothing is better support than referring me to your friends and family. Sharing my posts, tell everyone all about your experience with me. I love it! I even have a special referral program if I book someone you send me. I can honestly say that a HUGE majority of my business has come from client referrals. It’s so important to small businesses like mine.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.amandaraylee.com
- Email: amanda@amandaraylee.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/amanda.raylee
- Facebook: facebook.com/amandarayleephotography
Image Credit:
Amanda Raylee Photography
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