Meet Amanda Kay Myers | Wedding Photographer

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

Hi Amanda Kay, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I first started my business, I was a traveling instagram model. 30 was starring me in the face and I had to make a change. I couldn’t model forever. I had been in-front of the camera hundreds of times. Now, it was time for me to be behind it. I knew how to pose, direct, and the basics of how to work a camera. It’s funny how much you pick up working with so many photographers. So I turned that knowledge into a career. I became a wedding photographer.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Anyone can push the shutter button. It takes a photographer to make it art. When I started my wedding photography business, I wanted it to be different. I didn’t want to cater to the same styles as what was popular at the time. Light, bright, and airy or Moody, dark, and vintage. I wanted a mix between the two. I wanted my photos to look like they weren’t taken with an iPhone. Anyone can push the button, but can you take it to the next level? Editing is what’s key in my business. I always tell my clients, you’re hiring my editing style, not my photography. I think that’s what sets me apart. I take the time to edit. Now, I will say another key factor in becoming a successful photographer is knowing you’re never the best. I think we all get caught up in our egos from time to time and that stunts our growth. I have found that theirs always room for improvement. Keep learning, keep changing, keep evolving. Never be complacent. And lastly, it’s all about drive. I was at a wedding last month and one of the guests started talking to me and said, “you really love what you do, it must be so easy for you.” It’s true, I do love what I do. I’m the life of the party when I’m shooting a wedding. However, it’s never easy. It’s not easy having your own business where the buck stops with you. Something goes wrong, you’re the only one to blame. This is where drive comes in. I’m driven to make my business successful, even when it’s a lot of god damn work. You come early, you stay late, you go above and beyond for your clients even when you don’t get any recognition for it. Because that’s what it takes. Nothing in life worth having is ever easy. So, for all the photographers out there looking to start your own business; stay true to your style, always be willing to grow, and know that your drive is the only thing that will push you forward.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Austin is one of the best cities in Texas for photography. It has landscapes, cityscapes, urban spots, nature spots, lakes, overlooks you name it. Here are just a few spots I enjoy visiting along with some local eateries. I would start at Butler Park, perfect for family and engagement photography. You walk along the path towards the Long Center hitting two of the best cityscapes and catching some nature spots along the way. Then, we would walk over to the best BBQ spot in town, Terry Black’s. To top it off we hit up El Alma for a spicy margarita. Also a great spot to catch some urban lifestyle shots. We would end on the Lamar Boulevard Bridge at sunset, soaking up the gleaming city as our backdrop for those last few golden hour shots. Austin is a magical city, I think that’s why a lot of couples choose to come here to get married.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to Shoutout my friend and mentor Aubre Salas of Gypc Girl Photography. She really took a chance on me. Showed me the ropes, the dos and don’ts, and helped me navigate through this wedding photography world. It is because of her that I booked my first wedding, created my first website, and established my first business. I would also like to Shoutout Kalli Doubleday who runs Shiraz Garden and Sparrow Creek Ranch, two amazing wedding venues in Texas. Without her, I would not be the photographer I am today. Shiraz Garden was the first venue to have me on their preferred vendor list. She’s set up multiple styled shoots, open houses, and opportunities for me to grow. I owe much of my success to her.

Website: https://photosbymkay.smugmug.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photos_by_mkay/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhotographyMkay

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/photos-by-mkay-austin

Other: https://linktr.ee/PhotosbyMkay

Image Credits
Photos by Mkay