Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Verhage.
Hi Amanda, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My husband and I moved from Wisconsin in 2016 and had our oldest child, Vayda in 2017. I always had my phone out and was taking photos of her as a tiny baby to remember every single moment. I looked forward to taking her monthly milestone photos throughout her first year, setting her up on different blankets, and in special outfits, trying to make them look as professional as I could with an iPhone 5. Over the course of my maternity leave, it evolved from something fun for Vayda and I to do together, to something I would plan out weeks in advance and would count down the days until I could take more photos.
Once I realized the joy and excitement that documenting these moments brought me, I decided to purchase my first professional camera and set out to learn as much as I could about it. Researching settings and techniques really drove my desire to continue to grow as a photographer and learn as much as I could as quickly as I could. I even began giving myself little photography assignments around the house and the neighborhood so I could work on different aspects of my photography. I got very lucky that my daughter and our two cats had a lot of patience during the learning stages.
Quite honestly, I’m surprised my interest in photography happened so late in life with all my other artistic interests growing up. I have been drawn to art ever since I can remember. In school, I always gravitated toward classes that involved drawing, painting, print-making, singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments. Photography was one of the mediums of art that I have not exactly explored until recently.
After 4 years of study and practice, taking photos of family and friends and of the beautiful landscapes around the Charleston area, I decided to use my skill and channel my passion to pursue a photography business. This exciting decision was made with the encouragement of close friends and family, to which I am very humbled and thankful for. Someone once told me “It’s never too late to chase your passion” which sort of stuck with me. I’m currently working in the veterinary field as a Licensed Veterinary Technician (since 2012). I decided I do not want to limit myself by choosing my passion for photography over my passion for animal medicine, so the plan right now is to do both.
I love taking photos, but I especially love looking back on photos from years ago. Photos are a physical keepsake of memories. I want to share this joy with others by giving clients photos of them and their families to be able to look back on and remember those moments and feelings. This desire helped develop my mission statement: My mission is to provide an enjoyable environment that will allow clients to feel relaxed, and thus capture authentic moments that will become memories they won’t forget. Let’s turn life’s special seconds into forever photos.
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?
It has been a fairly smooth road and even when it wasn’t I’ve still enjoyed every second. I think for myself, and probably everyone, the biggest struggle has been time. Both my husband and I work demanding jobs and with two kids at home time is always at a premium. We have worked out a pretty good schedule to give enough attention to everything and everyone, but there are times I wouldn’t mind a few more hours in the day.
On the business side, with no prior experience setting up or running a small business, setting up an LLC and registering with all the agencies seemed daunting. My husband does have some experience in business and bookkeeping, so I’ve been able to lean on him. Together we’ve been able to set up Amanda Verhage Photo in a great position and I hope to grow and evolve the business for a long time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Amanda Verhage Photo is the name of my photography business. In September, I started offering free photo sessions to help build my portfolio and gain experience. The types of sessions I have done have been business headshots, pet photography, couples/engagement shoots, and family portraits. I’m most proud of the couples’ sessions that I have done, and more specifically the golden hours photos. You could not ask for a better backdrop than the big Carolina sun as it sets.
While I understand there are a lot of other aspiring and successful photographers out there, I hope that what will set me apart is my ability to connect with others and make them feel comfortable during sessions with me. I want to capture raw authentic moments from my clients while giving them an experience that doesn’t leave them feeling uncomfortable in front of the camera.
My goal for the future is to continue to grow our business in a very competitive market and position ourselves to be able to shoot any event, from very large weddings to trade shows and conferences.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
My husband and I relocated from Wisconsin in 2016, and what originally drew me to Charleston was the location. The beaches and islands are beautiful, and I love spending as much time as I can there. What I didn’t realize when we decided to move here was how beautiful and historical downtown Charleston is. I love the amazing architecture and cobblestone streets as you move around downtown.
Having relocated, the hardest part about living here is being away from our families and our friends. Not having that close circle of support was difficult when we first moved, but once everyone got their first taste of Charleston, the visits have gotten much more frequent.
Contact Info:
- Email: amandaverhagephoto@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/amanda_verhage_photo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100073175980868
Image Credits
Amanda Verhage
Parker Simpson
