Referral Discount

With the help from my friends and family, I have finally decided on a new logo. I feel like I have a long way to go until I have a whole brand, but hey, it's a step. Now, people that have the initials "ac" can't claim my work (ahem, andrew castle, ahem). I am very picky but I am really happy with it! What do you think??

Yes, I say this all the time, but I feel very blessed that so many people support my photography and want to help me start my business. So, because you all are so great I wanted to be able to give something back in a small way....

Here is how it works:

Full Photo Session - If you refer someone to me and he/she books a full photo session, you will receive one free 8x10 photo as well as 10% off your next shoot. If you refer two clients, you can add an additional 10% for a total of 20% off your next session.

Wedding - If you refer someone to me and he/she book a wedding, you will receive a free 16x20 photo, 15% off your next session, and a $50 gift card to the store of your choice. If you refer two clients and they book weddings, you receive 30% off your next shoot.


A full photo session includes one and a half to two hour shoot with fifty to one hundred edited images. Discounts must be used within one year. Email questions to amandacastlephoto@gmail.com.

Thank you, everyone!

Nikki & Landon | Engagement

I feel so honored that Nikki and Landon asked me to take their engagement pictures. They are the kind of people that are infectious and you just want to be around them. I have known Landon for quite some time, but only recently have had the privilege of getting to know Nikki. She is abundantly beautiful, funny and incredibly sweet. It is easy to see why Landon likes her so much.

I know some people just say it to say it, but it really was a blessing to get to spend time with them and photograph glimpses of their relationship. They have an incredible love for Christ and each other which makes me so, so happy.

I had a hard time picking my favorites, so this post may contain an abundance of pictures :)

Congratulations, you guys! I am so happy for you!

Salem Printing | Business

Sorry that I have somewhat been non-existent and lacking in posts. I know I shared a little bit about it recently but I find it hard to truly experience and be involved in every moment of my life when I am thinking about photographing something for my blog.  So, this is what it looks like to learn the balance of those two. It looks sickly and sparse. Bare with me, here.

My wonderful and super talented friend (I feel like I constantly mention her), Allie, asked me to come to Salem Printing to get a few more pictures.

On a side, extremely random note, Allie and I went on a date together last weekend while our husbands were doing manly things like watching basketball and spending time in the mountains. I paid for her meal, she paid for my movie. There is a slight possibility that we stopped at Dunkin' Donuts and got lattes and doughnuts as well.

Back to Salem Printing. So this was my second time back and everyone was so genuinely nice. Some of them even remembered my name! My nerdy side comes out when I go on their shop floor because there are so many awesome machines and gadgets. Cardboard goes into a machine and the machine spits out a LaffyTaffy Box. Whhhattt? Neat.

I'll stop talking. Here are a few pictures from the shoot:

Anyway, I am off to another shoot so hopefully I will be posting those within this coming week :)

Lessons Learned

Is it lessons learned or lessons learnt? I tried looking it up but I gave up.

Most of you are probably thinking, "Why did Amanda have a series of posts called 'A Week of Adventures' and only post five days?" Am I right, or am I right? I know you think about my posts constantly!

Well, I will tell you why. An alligator ate my camera...

Alright, that is a lie. I got lazy. I do have a sixth day to add soon, though. I also am contributing my lack of posting to being busy. I am trying to start a NEW and BETTER blog for Amanda Castle Photography as well as get a website going. On top of that, I am working part-time, shooting sessions/editing and trying to keep my house from looking like dogs live here (impossible).


Since I am going through so many learning stages right now, I wanted to share a few things that I have learned so far about starting a photography business:

• Start saying "I am a photographer." Lately, I have had a lot of people ask me what I do and sometimes I find it hard to tell them I am a photographer. I am not sure why, but it happens.

• Be business-minded. I am finding out how much of this is actually business vs. creative photography and I would say it is 70% business right now and it will only go up from there.

• Learn to shoot only in manual. Since I have been doing this, I feel like I have complete control over a picture. I have better pictures in the long run with less editing.

• Do not over-edit pictures, let the pictures speak for themselves.

• Know everything about your camera. I am always still learning but I definitely have put a lot of time into knowing how to use my equipment.

• The hardest lesson for me right now is to say "no" to people who try to take advantage of you. The right client will come to you.

So, now you know what I am learning and figuring out. Keep checking back for the new website and blog. I hope to have it up as soon as I can.

A Week of Adventures | Day Five

It's Sea World Day!

I forgot how much I love Sea World and Jacob, being the animal lover that he is, was very happy to spend the day looking at animals. I think if I had an extra life I would be a dolphin trainer. I mean can you imagine a better job than that? I can't.

The first show we went to was the dolphin and whale show-so, so neat! It really is unbelievable how trained they are.

The picture above is the main reason why I would want to be a dolphin trainer... so, so, so COOL. We did some rides and looked around before we went to see Shamu-which really is not the original Shamu, or else there are a lot of Shamu's.

Then we went under a tunnel to see sharks. It was really kind of incredible.

And of course, Jacob and I talked Flossie and Scott into going on the Journey to Atlantis (a ride that is a long drop into water). We watched the drop to see which spots don't get that wet and Flossie decided it was the front (bad decision). Jacob and I took second row. They got soaked, we didn't.

I don't have a picture, but i think my most favorite part was the Sea Lion and Otter show. I literally had tears rolling down my face because I was laughing so hard. The sea lions seem so loyal, I would train them in my third life, I think. Before we left we took a picture to remember our first trip to Sea World together.

A Week of Adventures | Day Four

Again, I have a small obsession with trees here. We took a drive down to John's Pass where boats come in after a day of fishing and then cut the fish right in front of you. It was actually really neat! We also stopped by Scott and Flossie's old house as well as what used to be "Photo Castle." Now it is a convenience store, obviously.

Just wait and see the next couple of posts about gators... this is nothing.

Now we are at John's Pass...

We went to the beach for a couple of hours, where Jacob saved a lot of beached clams.

This is how true Floridians go to the beach...

I only have a limited time to upload the adventures on the vacation so excuse the poor writing. I am letting the pictures talk for themselves :)