Daily Inspiration: Meet Amanda Bergeron

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Bergeron.

Hi Amanda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Where do I begin exactly? From a very young age I have been faced with many knocks your wind out of your sails, drop you to your knees situations. From open heart surgery to domestic violence from my first husband which led to a brief bout of homelessness, to metastatic thyroid cancer which I was diagnosed with just before my son’s first birthday. For Christmas of 2015, my mom bought me my first Canon DSLR camera. I had always had a passion for photography getting this gift for Christmas this year really expanded my passion. Initially, I really focused on nature and landscape photography. Just months after receiving my first camera is when I received my cancer diagnosis. My camera and passion for photography very quickly became my therapy throughout my cancer journey. It was the only thing that could help me to stop thinking of the worry, pain, and negativity that cancer brought to my and my family’s life. About a year or so after my cancer diagnosis, I started to learn more about portrait photography, taking a few courses online and learning different technique’s in editing and posing. I then did a few family sessions and weddings. The request for my services started to grow and I expanded to back-to-school photos, seniors, and more!

Que the global pandemic. The pandemic has been hard on everyone, I was no exception. During this time I worked for a very large Public Safety Department and they were not agreeable with my Doctor’s orders to allow me to work from a remote setting. This caused me to have a debilitating PTSD episode that left me hopeless for weeks. Due to this, I was forced to resign. I resigned without a job lined up and really without a plan. This was the first time in my life that I decided to fully surrender to God and allow him to lead my life. With the help of my Primary Care Physician and my Therapist, I was able to get out of my PTSD episode, start taking both depression and anxiety medications, work through cognitive behavioral therapy and get back to a strong mental status to help me get to where God needed me to be.

My family and I decided to leave Suburbia (Metro Detroit/Metro Ann Arbor) and move into our beach cottage in a small town off the shores of Lake Huron. We sold everything we had and had a fresh start. A fresh start that aligned with our morals, values, and passions in life. We are now surrounded by a National Forest where we can hike, camp and fish daily.

I was led to an amazing full-time role with a Non-Profit organization that focuses on empowering individuals and strengthening comminutes.

My photography business has BOOMED and continues to grow. I have a studio space in downtown Oscoda, MI. I now host quarterly retreats. I offer sessions that fit everyone’s budget and give back to my community any chance I can.

Like a phoenix, I believe that we truly rise from the flames during our hardest and darkest times. I look back and remember thinking I am not going to survive this situation more than once. But here I am, not only surviving, I am truly thriving.

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?
With every health challenge, there has been a lot of learning and overcoming. Throughout my cancer battle, I did a lot of reflecting and evolving to determine what was abundantly important to me as an individual and for my family.

During this time is when I started to grow my passion for photography. I have evolved a lot since then. Taking photography workshops and courses. Investing in new equipment. Learning how to effectively run a business through trial and error.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Photography-Owner and I specialize in storytelling and empowerment through my photography. I take an authentic and one-of-a-kind approach to each client, ensuring that their photos capture who they truly are. In addition, I strive to make my client’s sessions a truly memorable experience, feel good about themselves, about their investment, and maybe even gain a new friend.

I host multiple empowerment group sessions each year ranging from Forest Fairies, Witches, Ice Queens, Zodiac, Warrior, and more! In addition, I also host what I call “Wild Women’s Retreats” which range from 2-3 days currently they allow women the opportunity to break free of what is holding them back in this world, learn more about emotional agility, and have impactful unity and photography sessions.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I have many qualities that I believe have attributed to my success and continued growth as a photographer and business owner. I am determined, stubborn, organized, kind, energetic, and authentic. However, the quality that sticks out the most and leads me in all areas of my work, career, and life, would be my heart. I try to give back to my community & beyond any chance I can.

I offer payment plans to my clients and will often offer no child left behind sessions for back-to-school, sports, and senior sessions to ensure every child receives a photograph. I donate portions of my session fees to non-profit and charitable organizations supporting their missions and strengthening their ability to continue to serve those in need.

I take time to get to know each of my clients and I truly care about them as individuals, not just as my customers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/amandabergeronphotography
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandabergeronphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amandabergeronphotography
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpsSVfaTpWk4QExV919PCgg