Welcome to the new A Mix of Min Series – Girlboss Q&A!
While planning my 2019 editorial calendar, I had something really pulling on me. I am just one girl with one voice with one set of experiences to share. When I thought on it more a light bulb immediately went off. I’m super lucky to be surrounded by such amazing, driven female entrepreneurs, so why not share their stories, advice and perspectives?!
Once a month throughout 2019, you’ll find a new empowering girlboss featured and today it’s someone oh so special – Amanda Fogarty 🙂
I first discovered Amanda while searching on Instagram for engagement photographers in 2016. Just by looking at her work, it’s easy to see that her talent, aesthetic and ability to capture life’s moments is so stunning.
Right from the moment we starting chatting via email, she was so warm. She exuded such genuine excitement about our engagement and was a real ray of sunshine. Of course, these qualities were further shown while S and I had our engagements session! Being behind the camera with your significant other for the first time is no easy task. Like it’s awkward, guys. Amanda made us feel at ease immediately, allowing us to be ourselves and all while capturing such beautiful moments that will be hung on the walls of our home, forever 🙂
Through the months and years that followed, I’ve became in such awe of Amanda. She’s not a only super talented photographer and sweet as can be, but she’s a total GIRLBOSS!!
She created her photgraphy business, A.Fogarty Photography, while in high school [!!!!!] and after years of working of her tail off, she can now call this her full time job. How amazing is that?!
She also provokes something I strongly believe in – “find what you are passionate about and pursue it”. Amanda’s story is admirable for many reasons, but one to highlight is that she took her dream and made it actionable. She’s now able to not only follow this dream day in and day out, but support her family with it.
One of the biggest things I hear from women when thinking about pursuing their dreams of owning a blog or business, is that they are too scared to start. We all start somewhere, girlfriend and nothing worth having is easy. Amanda is the perfect example to show that it takes an infinite amount of H-U-S-T-L-E, drive and serious dedication… but following your dream is all worth it 😉
I know Amanda and her story will provide learnings and inspiration for the A Mix of Min community and I’m just so excited to share her Q&A today! Yay, let’s dive in.
GIRLBOSS Q&A: AMANDA FOGARTY
THE DETAILS
Name: Amanda Fogarty
Company: A.Fogarty Photography
Location: South Portland, Maine
FOLLOW ALONG
Website: afogartyphotography.com
Instagram: @afogartyphoto
Facebook: /afogartyphotography
Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START A.FOGARTY PHOTOGRAPHY AND WHAT WENT INTO MAKING IT YOUR FULL TIME JOB?
A: I actually photographed my first wedding when I was in high school! (crazy, huh?!) and I’ve been photographing genuine and romantic photography for the past six years.
It wasn’t until 2017 that I took my business full-time. What really inspired me to take the leap into full time self-employed life was the unexpected death of my Dad. Although I always knew I wanted to pursue my passion as a full time career, it wasn’t until he passed away that it really put my entire life into perspective. I began chasing my dreams and creating the life I truly wanted NOW because I realized how incredibly short this life is.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR KEY PIECE OF ADVICE FOR ANY WOMAN READING THAT HAS AN ENTREPRENEURIAL DREAM, BUT HAS YET TO TAKE THE PLUNGE?
A: Find what you’re passionate about and pursue it.
It doesn’t happen overnight, but I truly believe that you can achieve anything you set your mind to. My biggest tangible advice is to put yourself out there: Go to networking events, surrounded yourself with like minded people & you can never read too many self-help books!
I’ve always loved Marie Forleo’s saying, “The world needs that special gift that only you have”. Sure there are other photographers/bloggers/business owners out there that might be doing the same thing as you, but no one does it the way that YOU do.
We all have something unique to bring to the world and I think the more you believe that, others will too.
Q: WE DEFINITELY HAVE ASPIRING CONTENT CREATORS READING SO WHAT ARE YOUR SUGGESTIONS ON TOOLS FOR PEOPLE JUST STARTING IN THE CREATIVE FIELD?
A: Investing in yourself & your ideas.
For equipment I started shooting with a Canon Rebel and now shoot with a Canon 5d Mark iii. But it’s not just about equipment, it’s about education and inspiration too. I invested in the Marie Forleo’s BSCHOOL which was a game changer for me. I also watched and listened to countless webinars, podcasts, workshops, youtube videos, etc. on everything from photography to branding, marketing, social media, and more.
I know it can be overwhelming starting out, but the biggest thing is just to start – somewhere, anywhere… and going from there.
Q: YOU’RE NOT ONLY AN EXTREMELY TALENTED PHOTOGRAPHER, BUT ALSO A BRIDE-TO-BE YOURSELF! HOW HAS BEING SO DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THE WEDDING INDUSTRY HELPED WITH YOUR OWN WEDDING PLANNING?
A: AH! I’d love to say that it has made it easier, which in many ways it has, but it has also made it harder too! I’ve become friends with so many talented wedding professionals and making the decision of who to choose as vendors was not easy. However, I’m so grateful for the relationships I’ve made through the industry and I’m so excited to have so many amazing vendors bringing our vision to life!
People always joke that because I see weddings every weekend that I must know exactly what I want and I think that couldn’t be further from the truth. I actually knew more of what I didn’t want.
For example – we decided to rent a big airbnb and are putting a tent on the lawn so that our wedding party and family could stay there all weekend long. We didn’t want anyone to have to travel to multiple locations and we really wanted to soak up and entire wedding weekend not just one day! We also decided to serve heavy hors d’oeuvres (think mini lobster rolls, chicken & waffles, french fries, etc.) all night long so avoid the 1-2 hours you spend sitting down for dinner. We prefer to snack & dance all night!
So in a way, being a part of the industry has given me a unique perspective on wedding planning and has truly allowed us to make our day unique to the two of us instead of following the trends.
Q: YOUR FIANCE IS OFTEN YOUR SECOND SHOOTER AND SIDE KICK WHICH IS SO SWEET! WHAT ARE SOME TIPS ON WORKING WITH YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER?
A: Yes! Bringing Cole on as a second photographer and business partner has been a work in progress for several years. He never really had an interest in photography until I bought him a drone back in 2016. From there he began exploring the world of photography & videography now too. Working together is one of the best blessings. As most entrepreneurs know, it can be a lonely work life. But having Cole to travel with and spend Saturdays photographing love stories feels like a dream come true. He’s also is the best second photographer I’ve ever had, not just because I trained him 🙂 but also because we communicate so well together. He often knows what I need/want before I even have to express it.
As far as advice on working with your significant other, I would recommend on still have space & boundaries as well as career goals separately and together.. Right now, Cole still has a full-time job so I’m able to work all day independently, which I enjoy. We’ve discussed that if we both were working full-time at home that we would probably have separate offices just so that we both could be more productive and space.
We have big dreams for our future together – professionally and personally. But we both encourage each other to still have our own identity and follow what makes us happy.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR ONE LINER, QUOTE OR MANTRA?
A: Live Passionately. Dream Endlessly. Love Completely. I have this tattooed on my body & I give all my wedding clients tote bags with the quote. It’s my life mantra!
A MIX OF AMANDA..
Q: STARBUCKS ORDER?
A: Hot Weather – Caramel Iced Coffee with Almond Milk.
Cold Weather & for a treat – Peppermint Mocha with Almond Milk
Q: FAVORITE WEDDING TREND OF THE MOMENT?
A: Wedding Welcome Bags!
Q: FAVORITE SONG TO SING IN THE CAR?
A: Stand By You by Rachel Platten
Q: FAVORITE PORTLAND, MAINE RESTURANT?
A: Currently loving Empire.
Don’t forget to catch Amanda on her Instagram [@afogartyphoto] and Facebook [/afogartyphotography] pages! And for any bride-to-be’s, Amanda is amazing. My husband and I could not suggest her enough for capturing moments on your wedding day! You can contact her here. Xo Mindy
Love that you featured a fellow mainer for the first post in this series! Just followed Amanda on IG. Can’t wait to see upcoming posts!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com