This month we are so excited to be shining our photographer spotlight on Amanda of Amanda Orleman Photography. Amanda Orleman is a Kansas City-based photographer, specializing in portrait photography. She has 5 kids, 3 are at home, one is due in June, and one is in heaven. Her children are her inspiration. She wants to help make the world a better place for them. She has a passion for meeting other people and creating moments through photography that can be cherished for years to come. Amanda takes a laid-back, yet efficient approach to photographing her clients so that it is as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.
How would you describe your photography? I am a mixture between a lifestyle photographer and a posed portrait photographer. I love capturing warmth and light in my photos.
What made you want to join The Gold Hope Project as a volunteer? I’ve always had a special place in my heart for childhood cancer patients and families. I have never had to watch one of my own children be diagnosed with cancer, and truly cannot imagine how awful that would be. I know that I can’t even begin to understand what these families face on a daily basis. I had a family member pass away as a child from leukemia and it made me sit back and re-evaluate
life. I was a child at the time and seeing death that closely had a definite impact. Cancer is a special kind of beast, it affects every aspect of your life and those around you. I feel that spreading awareness about childhood cancer can help bring about more funding to find a cure for these amazing families affected by it.
What is your favorite thing about being a Gold Hope photographer? I LOVE meeting the families that I work with! I feel privileged that they’ve trusted me to capture these special, fragile, intimate moments and I hope that they cherish the photos I’ve taken for them. My hope is that I can bring about some smiles and fun memories through our session together.
I am continually inspired by the families that I have met and they have each made a lasting impact on me. I know that no one would ever choose the challenges that these families face, but I feel honored to witness their bravery as they confront the hardest task a parent could ever face. I think and pray about these families I’ve met daily and hope that they can feel my love for them. When I have faced challenging times during my life, the love and support of those around me kept me afloat.
Has working with children with cancer changed anything in your life? It has made me happier! Each child I’ve met has this special glow about them that I can’t quite explain. These children are much wiser beyond their years, and they are so incredibly loved and cared for. I love being able to watch the genuine love between the parents and their child(ren). The families I have met aren’t worrying about superficial things, they are focused on what matters most.
What is one thing you hope the families you photograph for the project can take away from this experience? I hope that they feel like they have someone else in their corner cheering them on and ready to help at the drop of a hat. I don’t want to just be their “photographer,” I want to be an advocate for them. Life throws us all kinds of curveballs and we need people who will be there for us to help us along the journey.
Be sure to follow Amanda Orleman Photography online! Facebook | Instagram
A big thank you to Amanda for choosing to give back with us. Want to follow her lead? Apply to be a volunteer photographer here.