Hello! My name is Mandy (one of the few who's name is NOT short for Amanda). I am a professional child & family photographer living in beautiful Sycamore, IL. My style is warm, rich, and I'm not afraid of color! I'm a lover of vintage props, fancy dresses on little girls, and warm evening light. Though I love shooting outdoors, I love my studio and the fact that I don't have to deal with the weather! I juggle my photography business with being a mom to my two girls, designing photography backdrops for a backdrop company, and creating digital backdrops for my Etsy shop. I was a cake decorator for 12 years before starting my business, and I'm an Ohio native that moved to Illinois in 2009 to be with my husband. We were married in 2012, had our first daughter in 2013, started my business in 2014, had our second daughter in 2017, and bought our first house in 2020. I'm so lucky to be able to do what I love, meet great new people, capture memories that will be treasured, and be a part of the wonderful community of talented and passionate photographers here in northern Illinois.
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WHAT'S IN MY CAMERA BAG
- Blush Gold Mini Evermore bag from House of Flynn - Nikon D750 DSLR - 50mm 1.4 lens - 25mm 1.8 lens - Bug spray! |
RANDOM FACTS
- I know a lot about flowers, birds, and the areas where I shoot. I often share random facts with clients - I'm a bit of a prop hoarder. I'm addicted to all things vintage - I am also an artist and I draw, paint, sculpt, and do crafty DIY projects - I'm about 99% sure I have undiagnosed ADHD, which explains why I struggle with emails and being extremely scatterbrained, but it can also be a superpower when I need to hyperfocus to get something done. Just be patient with me when it comes to emails, and don't be afraid to "pester" me and follow up ;) |
THINGS I LOVE
- Warm evening light - Exploring nature with my daughters - Going to yard sales, thrift stores, and antique shops looking for treasures - Getting cards from clients that include my images - Going on vacation to Lake Ada in MN - All things chocolate - Binge-watching Schitt's Creek for the millionth time while I edit |