Behind the Art - Getting to know Amanda K of Amanda K Photography

What are some of the places you’ve called home? Where is home now?  I was born in Southern California and moved up to Oregon when I was just an infant. I have lived in Medford for just under 40 years.

What do you love about living in Medford?  I love living in Southern Oregon!. We are blessed with 4 beautiful seasons, we are only 2 1/2 hours away for the beautiful Oregon Coast line, and am only 15 miles north of the California Border. Medford is still a relatively small town and we are surrounded by mountains, vineyards, lakes and rivers. It's been a wonderful city to raise my family.

You travel a lot shooting weddings. If you could live anywhere on planet Earth, where would you build your dream home?  Traveling for weddings has been nothing short of amazing. I am always overwhelmed when couples feel connected to me enough to want to bring me to them. It's a true honor. There are so many places within the US that I still dream of seeing and shooting in; however, to answer your question it would have to be Maui. If money was no object, I would love to have a 2nd home there. I love the simplicity of the island life, and I could spend DAYS wandering the beaches there.

Where is your favorite vacation destination?  My favorite vacation destination is hands down, without a doubt, ITALY. I was blessed with a trip there this past October, and Italy with forever hold a piece of my heart.

How did your photography journey begin and how long have you been a photographer?  My photography journey began just after I walked through a very difficult season in my life. Twelve years ago, I lost my husband in an accident, leaving me and our three little ones behind. The rug was literally pulled from underneath me. I was sitting on the floor of my mom's living room numbly going through boxes and boxes of prints (snapshots) that I photographed of him and our children. Those prints became the most valuable treasure I had. They were his legacy. They were a tangible memory and glimpse into the relationship my children had with their amazing daddy. I learned to appreciate the medium of photography in an entirely new way. It became my passion...my tool for healing. Photographing life became like oxygen for me in a world that I didn't recognize anymore. I never imagined that God would take me this far...beauty from ashes. Photography has never been about me, but about the new relationships I have established through documenting the life and love of amazing people.

How would you describe your photography style? How it came to be?  The style of my art has evolved and changed so much throughout this past 9 years..just I have changed. My passion is the human element and the gamut of emotions that we all feel and portray. I am not inspired by "pretty things" but the authenticity of the human spirit and the love shared between two people in love. My style has been labeled by others as romantic, ethereal, and soulful.

I love the way you see light and your use of it. Has “finding the light” come naturally for you? What is your best tip for finding great light?  Thank you! Learning the light comes from shooting in every lighting situation you can imagine and by shooting A LOT. I learn something new about light every time I shoot. Time of day, location, time of year, and the colors of your surroundings ALL affect the light quality in an image. It becomes second nature. It's also about KNOWING your equipment and using the light to create depth and life in the image.

You have an amazing artistic eye and it’s obvious in your images. How do you stay inspired?  Staying inspired. That is the million dollar question. :)  It's so easy as creatives to allow ourselves to be submerged in wedding blogs, pinterest, etc etc. We are all exposed daily to beautiful art and imagery. I have found that I need to step away from looking at other peoples work before a shoot as I don't want to be influenced by everything I have seen, but to photograph what I SEE. I will admit, there are days or even weeks that I feel completely deflated and uninspired. That is when I force myself to shoot a personal project. I always walk away from those sessions re-charged and excited again about my work. Ultimately, it's the couples I get to work with. They inspire me more than anything else.

The first photographer that comes to your mind. What is it about their work that inspires you?  Elizabeth Messina. Her film work evokes a true feeling of "awe" when I look at it. She has mastered her art.

Who was the first photographer you stalked? Stalked might be a strong word, but who would you say that had a huge impact in your growth as an artist?  Red Leaf Studios would be the first photographer team that I was completely smitten with. Their couples portraiture absolutely captivated me. They are from Canada and the locations they shot in were breathtaking as well. I loved the romantic feel to their work.

I love the way you introduce yourself on your blog, to your readers: 
“I am a wife. I am a mother to 3 amazing human beings. I am a believer in God, and worshipper of Christ. I am an artist. I am a widow. I am a lover of warmth. I am insecure. I am hopeful. I am driven. I am passionate. I am blessed. I am ordinary. I am Amanda K, and it’s not about ME.“
Where does photography fall into place in your life? Being your own boss can sometimes let work take over your life. Have you always been able to keep work and family life in balance?  Keeping my life in balance is a DAILY battle. LOL I have learned to prioritize and to make the best use of my time. I strive to make every moment count. My now husband and I have learned to be a team...he is wonderful about taking care of the house duties that I just don't have time for. When my 3 children were young, photography took a back seat and as they have grown more independent, I have been able to expand my business and invest more time into it. Number one key, keep away from distractions. Social Media can either make or break you.  :)

What are three fun facts about you that most people don’t know?  Funny thing, this was the toughest question for me to answer. Ha Ha!  
a) My greatest fear is being eaten alive by a wild animal  (I'm not even kidding...I obsess over it)
b) The three things I can't live without are coffee, my electric blanket, and my GPS
c) My husband is 16 years older than me and I have a 29 and 26 year old step-son and daughter. :)

I love how perfectly you describe yourself. If you could only use one word to describe your photographic style what would it be?  Soulful

Looking back, from the beginning of your journey in photography, what has been your favorite subject to photograph and why?  That is a tough question!! I love high school seniors. They are always SO excited to be in front of the camera and are always willing to let me try new ideas. However, there is something SO rewarding about photographing a couple in love. Their love is infectious!

What is in your camera bag?  I currently shoot with a Canon 5D MarkII, Canon 1V (film). Lenses include the 85mm 1.2L, 35mm1.4L, 50mm 1.2L, and a Sekonic L358 External Light Meter

photo ©Amanda K Photography

photo ©Amanda K Photography

photo ©Amanda K Photography

photo ©Amanda K Photography

photo ©Amanda K Photography

photo ©Amanda K Photography

photo ©Amanda K Photography

photo ©Amanda K Photography