Meet Amanda Wyman | Motherhood Portrait Photographer

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

Hi Amanda, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have a very entrepreneurial spirit. Before having kids, I worked in food service and wanted to open my own restaurant someday. Eventually, I learned that the culinary industry wasn’t for me so I tried out various other avenues where I could potentially be my own boss. Things like tattooing, personal training, and nutrition counseling. None of them really stuck. When I had my first son back in 2018, I quit my traditional job to be a stay-at-home mom. With the cost of living rising here in Colorado, it became apparent that we couldn’t survive off one income alone. Again, I looked to start my own business, this time pursuing something more creative. I opened an Etsy shop where I sold handmade goods. It did really well, but I couldn’t”t keep up with the demands of running the business and marketing side and making all the products and running my household, so I shut it down. Then I tried out being a freelance illustrator, but with only being able to create in traditional mediums, I wasn’t very successful in that either.

Eventually, I decided to try out portrait photography and I fell in love. It was just the right balance of work and free time to care for my kids and it compensated fairly well too!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always been an artist at heart. My mom could show you endless artistic creations I’ve made since I could barely talk. I never thought photography would be the medium I’d end up in, but I wouldn’t trade this for anything else!

If I had to pinpoint what sets me apart from others in my work, I would say my attention to detail combined with my artistic eye specifically through the lens of a mother myself. I know what matters to moms most in these images and I’m able to really hone in on that during client’s sessions.

I’ve gotten to where I am today professionally through lots and lots of hard work and grit and determination as well as allowing myself to ask for help and lean into the support of others. It absolutely was not easy and I don’t suspect it ever will be.

Some of the biggest challenges that I have faced so far have honestly been internal ones. I think everyone struggles with logistical things like financing, marketing, branding, etc but those often have pretty simple and straightforward solutions. The hardest obstacles have been the one’s I’ve created in my own mind. Things like overcoming my mental blocks around money, self-worth, imposter syndrome, whether or not people like me, if I’m good enough, etc. Nobody tells you when you start a business that you’re about to embark on the greatest self development journey of your life, but here I am listening to podcasts and reading as many books as I can about mindset and self-discipline.

Some lessons I’ve learned as a creative entrepreneur have been learning to listen to your instincts, learning how to value myself, and learning to evaluate sources of criticism before putting much stock into it. Listening to your instincts is a big one. There’s lots of “practical” advice and “rules” out there about how to run a successful business and how to be a good photographer and take good pictures. But honestly, if you really want to stand out and succeed, you have to develop your own secret sauce. And that will come from listening to your gut. Learning how to value myself has been paramount as well. When I first started out I was charging next to nothing for all the work I was doing because that’s what I saw others charging in my area. When I learned that my time, skill, talent, and artwork is worth more than just a couple bucks, that’s when this really started getting fun for me. Finally, I’ve learned to take a lot of criticism thrown at me with a grain of salt. Depending on where the criticism is coming from, most of it isn’t even valid. One of my favorite quotes is “never take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice from” and reminding myself of this has helped me push through some harsh and unnecessary words from people about my art or the way I choose to conduct business.

If I had to pick one thing I want people to know about my brand and story it would be this: I’ll always do my best to do right by you AND I’m only human.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Typically, I’m more of a mountain girl so my idea of a good time involves a tent, a firepit, and a piece of land far away from Denver! But if I had to take someone around the Denver metro, I’d recommend a couple places I like to take my family. Our favorite place to eat in Denver is hands down Ocean Prime. It’s pretty pricey, but definitely a great experience. We also love to go shopping in all the fun little old town districts of different towns like Arvada, Littleton, Golden, and Idaho Springs. Of course, if you’ve never been, you’ve gotta check out Red Rocks Park and Ampetheater. It’s a great spot to hang out for a day and do some hiking, but you really MUST see a concert there.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to shout out my husband, Matt, first and foremost. He has supported me in so many ways throughout my entire journey as an entrepreneur: emotionally, mentally, and financially. He is also endlessly enthusiastic about whatever new thing I’m trying to start and his faith in me is unshakeable. I think without him, I’d have quit a long time ago! I love you, Sweetheart! YMF!

I’d also love to shout out someone else in the photography industry who has been, and continues to be, a mentor to me in both the artistic and business sides of photography: Sondra Lee of Belle Amour Boudoir. She helps me strategize and gives me incredibly helpful feedback and tips all the time!

I can’t forget to shout out Be^U Business Network! Without them, I’m not sure I would have grown as quickly as I did. Their support and referrals have helped me set a solid foundation for my business. And many of them have become close friends to me.

Finally, I have to shout out all of my clients who have trusted me the past 2 years with their family legacies. I literally wouldn’t have a business without all of you lovely souls so thank you so much!

Website: https://www.berkanaphotography.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/berkanaphotography_co

Facebook: Berkana Photography Studios

Image Credits
Amanda Wyman

Desiree Allard