Exploring Life & Business with Amanda Waibel of Amanda Cooper Photo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Waibel

Amanda, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I can’t exactly pinpoint when my journey into photography began but I can retrace it to a time in 2014. I was 24 years old, floundering between waitressing jobs. I felt I was no good at school and had no idea where I was going in life.

Late in my teenage years I was diagnosed with manic-depressive disorder, more commonly known as bipolar disorder. My battle with mental health always made me feel helpless and hopeless because the highs were high but the lows were very low. So much so that I knew I’d never make it in a 9-5.

In 2014 I hired a local photographer who had previously worked a restaurant job aside me, to take my daughter’s six month old pictures.

When she presented me the album, one photo in particular stood out to me and I guess you could say it lit a fire within me because after I saw that photo I knew I wanted to give that same feeling to others.

The problem was that I had spent all my money on college. I had no idea how to get started with no real knowledge of photography other than loving pictures I would see.

I remembered a friend had gifted me a camera a few years earlier and I had never really understood why. I guess they must have known what was meant to be would be.

I weighed all of my options and realized that if I was going to make this work, I would have to make sacrifices. I sold my 1994 Grand Prix for $1500 and used that money to pay for a mentorship with that photographer.

I spent the next year working for her with no financial benefit, just learning everything I could about photography. I tagged along to every shoot I could. I would shoot everything from families to newborn babies, and senior photos.

Then she brought me to a wedding and that is when I truly fell in love. I would have me shooting weddings every weekend, which is where I found my niche. I discovered a love for “love”. I became passionate about capturing those special moments between a couple as they dedicate themselves to each other.

Over the years I would shoot more and more weddings, developing my skills, and creating a name for myself.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It never was a smooth road that’s for sure. With every day came new challenges to face from learning the in’s and out’s of the camera, to learning how to pose, and creating an overall experience for my clients.

With time and experience I learned to use these skills to build a successful business from the ground up. Even then there are still challenges and always will be, but I learn from each one and will continue to grow as a photographer.

We’ve been impressed with Amanda Cooper Photo, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Amanda Cooper Photo is a brand that specializes in “natural” and “true-to-life” photography that captures the pure and raw emotion of everyone I get to work with. A stiff and posed shot doesn’t showcase the joy that the couple feels on their wedding day. A posed shot doesn’t capture the laughter and tears that a candid shot does. I capture the “moments” that happen throughout the day in the way they happen so that years from now the couple can relive those moments just the way it happened.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
The best way to reach me is through my email at [email protected]. I always love hearing from new clients and love new opportunities to collab.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/AmandaCooperPhotography
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/AmandaCooperPhotos