08/14/2026
‼️WARNING LONG POST!‼️
A little appreciation post for someone who deserves it. Miss Amanda Hays.💛
There are some people who come into your life and probably don’t even realize how much of an impact they’ve made. For me, she’s one of those people.
She started as someone I looked up to as a photographer and became my mentor, my friend, and one of the biggest supporters of me and my business.
She’s answered my million photography questions, given me advice, shared her knowledge, encouraged me when I doubted myself, and never once made me feel like I was competition. Instead, she has continuously helped me grow.
But her friendship has gone so much further than photography.
I’ll never forget the day I called her crying after I lost my job. I was scared, overwhelmed, and had absolutely no idea what I was supposed to do next. She listened to me cry, let me get it all out, and then basically said, “Okay. Here’s what you’re going to do.” 😂
She helped me figure out what I needed to do to take photography full-time. She believed I could make this work at a time when I wasn’t completely sure I believed it myself.
She was also there for me when I made the decision to completely stop drinking alcohol. She supported me through that change, and even now, hearing her tell me that she’s proud of me means more than I think she realizes. Sometimes you just need someone in your corner reminding you that they see how far you’ve come.
There are a lot of photographers who will teach you how to use a camera. But finding someone who genuinely wants to see you succeed, shares what they know, answers the phone when life falls apart, supports you through the personal stuff too, and continues cheering you on through every version of yourself? That’s something unforgettable.
I don’t think I could ever fully explain how grateful I am for your friendship, mentorship, support, and every single push you’ve given me.
Thank you for helping me become the photographer, and person I am today, and for continuing to remind me that you’re proud of the person I’m becoming. 🫶🏻
