Meet Amanda Evans | Family, Newborn & Brand Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Evans and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I think that, in particular, for parents who own their own business there is a constant tension between giving your time and attention to your business and giving your time and attention to your kids and partner. The irony is, that for many of us, the draw to run our own business often stems from a desire for more flexibility and control of our schedule! My own business began rather organically. As a new mom, I craved a creative outlet, and after a couple of years taking photos of my own kids, friends began asking me to photograph their kids and families. Early on, this was such a lifeline, and brought a real sense of personal balance into my life, where most of the time I was knee-deep in baby and toddler messes.

As my kids and business have each grown, it has become increasingly important to draw boundaries around each. I have become a big believer in the idea that “perfect is the enemy of good.” Accepting that I may not be able to say yes to every single client every single time, but that I can make it work most of the time is good. Accepting that I won’t be at every single game for my kid, but that I can make it to most of them is good.

Our family had the chance to move abroad in late 2019 for my husband’s career. It was really the opportunity of a lifetime and we took it. This also meant taking a break from my business for a couple of years, although I took nearly as many photos! Our time abroad was full of growth for our family. But I now find myself in the unique position of re-drawing some of these boundaries, but with kids who are now even busier, but also more capable of helping out! What a delight!

I believe that much of my own independent spirit was developed because I had two working parents, who trusted (and expected) me to contribute to our home in meaningful ways. Most of the time it feels like it falls to the Mom to create the balance, but it really ought to be a full family endeavor. (That’s the goal at least, we’re no doubt a work-in-progress over here.)

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I mentioned previously that my business began rather organically, but my interest in photography began soon after I became a parent. I had spent hours planning my daughter’s first birthday party and took photos on a basic point-and-shoot camera. The photos were terrible and I was so devastated that after all my hard work I was unable to capture it. I spent the next year saving for an entry-level DSLR camera and watching and reading everything I could find about how to use it.

The leap from enthusiast to business a couple of years later was difficult, I think that once you decide to make a go of it, you’ve got to really hype yourself up and have the confidence to put yourself out there in a world already well-saturated with family photographers. And it’s so important (and difficult!) to find your own style – both in the way you run your photo sessions and the way you edit the final images. While my style continues to evolve to an extent, what remains the same is that I want the final gallery to reflect my clients in an authentic way. I love light, bright edits, but I don’t want to over-process to an extent that people no longer look like themselves. And while I think most parents want big, toothy smile from their kids, I’ll take a tweak of a genuine smile from a less-than-thrilled-to-be-here kiddo than a big, fake cheesy grin any day.

My business is now evolving a bit, as my kids are getting older and I’m able to extend my hours, to include commercial projects like branding sessions and product photography. More than ever, my focus on genuinely representing my clients and their own work is vital.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Most of our visitors have kids and so we’d be more focused on kid-friendly locations. Although we are rather new ourselves, we’ve been working hard to get to know the area.

I’d love to take friends on a day trip to Boulder which would start with brunch at the Chataqua Dining Hall, followed by a hike in the Flatirons at Chataqua State Park, and then we’d relax with ice cream at the Ben and Jerry’s on Pearl Street followed by dinner and some fun browsing.

Another great day trip would be to Golden, we’d check out Dinosaur Ridge, have pizza in downtown Golden at Woody’s Wood-Fired Pizza. (We are looking forward to floating down Clear Creek once it’s warmer.). And the best way to finish the day would be a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater.

In our neck of the woods (Littleton), we love to take friends through Roxborough State Park, and rent paddleboards and kayaks at Chatfield Reservoir. Rosa Mexican kitchen is our favorite local eatery.

A couple of days in Colorado Springs would include the Cheyenne Mountain zoo, Garden of the Gods, Manitou Cliff Dwellings, and the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center. We love strolling through Old Town Colorado with dinner at Front Ranch BBQ.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Despite the cliché that is thanking your mom, I would absolutely not be who, where, or what I am today without my mother’s deep-rooted belief in me and my ambitions – be they motherhood, photography, or the ultimate guacamole recipe. She is also a savvy business professional and in addition to being a great cheerleader, has real expertise and financial advice that has gotten me further, faster, than I could on my own. I also owe a deep debt of gratitude to my early clients in Mukilteo, Washington who were willing to take a chance on me.

Website: www.amandaevansphoto.com

Instagram: @amandaevansphoto

Facebook: @amandaevansphoto

Image Credits
Amanda Evans Photo