Meet Amanda

hey, I'm Amanda

 

Life is all about connection and creating gorgeous images that tell your story drives me.

I love capturing real moments full of emotion and movement. Using light, color, and angles to showcase these moments is both a challenge and a joy. My curiosity about human connections and my constant observation help me catch those perfect, authentic moments.

 

But beyond just taking photos, I want your experience to feel effortless and fun. My goal is to make you feel at ease, whether that means cracking silly jokes (fair warning: I will) or bonding over your favorite movie. By the end of it all, I hope it feels less like hiring a photographer and more like spending time with an old friend

my Story

I knew early that I wanted to be a photographer. When I was 12 I saved up my babysitting money to buy my first 'big time' camera. I formed Arrae Photography in 2003 and went full-time with the business in 2008.

 

I'm a born and raised West Michigan girl (Zeeland specifically), and though I dabbled slightly with being a Californian it didn't stick. Grand Rapids had always felt like home when I visited as a youth and I've called it home for almost 20 years now, I adore this city.

 

I live in the Alger Heights neighborhood with my three darling children, husband Tim, and our beloved dog Zoey.

 

My current obsessions include lakehouse hunting on Zillow, Paul F. Tomkins podcasts, metalsmithing, houseplants, and any activity that takes me lakeside.

 

This is just a bit of my story, I look forward to hearing yours.

 

(Our wedding photos by Amber Henry Photography)

Arrae Photography is a West Michigan portrait, engagement, and wedding photographer with true-to-life color and posing.

Serving Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, Chicago, and beyond.