Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda White.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
After graduating with a degree in art and a concentration in photography from Towson University, I began working for various magazines and newspapers, quickly becoming one of the top freelancers for Gannett. My work was featured in outlets like USA Today, the Daily Times, and The Washington Post, as well as lifestyle publications such as The Shore Life and Coastal Style Magazine. When we moved to Houston, Texas, I became a regular contributor to *Modern Luxury* and served as the cover photographer for Living Magazine, another regional publication.
It wasn’t until shortly after our own wedding, 17 years ago, that I truly fell in love with photographing weddings. Experiencing firsthand how powerful it was to have images and video that preserved not only the moments but the *people* we love—some of whom are no longer with us—reshaped the way I saw photography. I now carry that same perspective into every wedding I photograph. I want your children, grandchildren, and future family to feel like they *know* the people who were there to celebrate with you.
When we moved back home to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, I began photographing weddings full-time, averaging about 50 a year. As demand grew, especially during the rescheduling chaos of COVID, I built out a team of associate photographers to help carry the vision forward. From there, our offerings expanded—we added videography, brought on a dedicated team for it, and introduced a mirror photo booth to give our couples and guests something extra to enjoy during the reception.
At our peak in Maryland, our team was serving around 100 weddings each year. As our systems and team matured, my husband and I realized it was time to expand again—this time to Sarasota, Florida. With a strong foundation in place and a trusted team back home, we made the move and are excited to bring our experience and passion to couples here as well.
It’s been an incredible journey so far. I still love photographing weddings myself, and I feel so grateful to be surrounded by a team of creatives who share the same values and heart for what we do. I’m excited for what’s ahead and honored every time we get invited to be part of a couple’s story.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
If you’re looking for a flawless path to success, mine wasn’t it. I’ve made plenty of mistakes—some small, some big—but every one of them taught me something essential about growing a sustainable business and becoming a better leader.
In the early years, I tried to do everything myself—photography, editing, marketing, client communication. I believed that if I wanted it done right, I had to do it alone. That mindset nearly burned me out. Learning to delegate, hire, and trust others was a turning point in both my business and my sanity.
I also underpriced myself for far too long. I thought low pricing would bring in more bookings, but it only led to burnout and undervalued work. Once I started charging based on the value I provided, I began attracting clients who truly appreciated what I offered.
Another lesson? Not every client is the right fit—and that’s okay. Saying “yes” to everyone meant working with people whose style or expectations didn’t align with mine. When I started focusing on my ideal couples, everything became smoother and more fulfilling.
Lastly, I realized that great photos aren’t enough—what matters just as much is how clients feel throughout the experience. I had to step back and make sure every touchpoint, from inquiry to delivery, felt seamless, warm, and personal.
Each challenge helped shape the business I have today, and I’m grateful for every single lesson along the way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We offer engagement sessions, wedding photography, wedding videography, mirror photo booth, rental and also most recently content creation and specialize in timeless, emotion-driven photography and cinematic films that help couples relive how their wedding day felt—not just how it looked.
We’re known for creating a calm, people-first experience and for building genuine connections with our couples. One of the things that truly sets us apart is that we custom-build each collection to meet our couples’ specific needs—no cookie-cutter packages. Whether they need full-day photography and video coverage, or want to include content creation or a mirror photo booth, we’re able to design a collection that fits their day perfectly.
I’m also really proud of the convenience we’re able to offer. By providing photography, videography, content creation, and a photo booth all under one roof, our couples save time and stress during the planning process—and they get a cohesive, well-aligned team who knows how to work together seamlessly.
At the heart of what we do is the belief that these moments matter—not just for today, but for generations to come. Being trusted with capturing that is something I never take for granted.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that you can’t scale a meaningful, sustainable business by doing everything yourself. In the early years, I wore all the hats—photographer, editor, marketer, sales rep, admin—and I believed that hustle alone would get me to the next level. But real growth didn’t come until I let go of control, started hiring the right people, and built systems that allowed my business to run without me at the center of everything.
That shift—moving from a solo creative to a true business owner—changed everything. It’s what allowed us to go from $70K to over $500K in five years, serving hundreds of couples across multiple states. Delegating, trusting others, and focusing on the client experience at scale were key. That’s the heart of what I now teach other creative entrepreneurs: that success isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things and empowering others to help you do them well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://arborlanestudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arborlanestudios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arborlanestudios
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3UuwPlfyw2vxNKCITZ2l8A/videos
