Hey! I'm Amanda,
& I don’t believe in stiff poses or stranger energy. The most honest photos come from comfort, trust, and a bit of shared story. So, here's what I do believe in:
I think that all imagery is the direct outcome of a connection. A human connection, an environmental connection, an emotional connection— hell even a mental connection— where something just clicks and leaves you with that feeling of "oh my gosh, I love this, and I believe the world needs to see this." Honestly, though, that search for connection started for me long before I got my first camera.
To dive straight into the heart of ARP: art was my safe haven growing up. As a kid with OCD, my mind often felt like it was running on overdrive. Art gave me a break from the noise— a space without rules or right answers. It was one of the first places I felt genuinely connected to the things that made life feel full.
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Art is anything but predictable. It’s a wild concoction of the messy, raw, electric, sometimes ridiculous, and always, always rooted in something real, no matter how abstract it may seem. That kind of thing sticks with you, which is exactly why I’m so drawn to capturing it all—making sure these moments and all their essence move forward with you. With my camera in hand, I get to help turn the fleeting into something lasting, and that is so beyond rewarding! I believe my faith calls me to love and celebrate others radically, and this is seriously the best gig I could imagine for living that out. I can't stress it enough; I am. so. grateful. for the chance to witness the most fulfilling parts of this life so up close.
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Fast forward to today—nearly ten years of capturing human stories, and that wonder is, of course, still here. I'm constantly in awe of this world, genuinely wide-eyed at the eccentricity of it all. Society wants us to rush, to “grow up,” but i’ve made it my mission to savor the magic. To keep the humor, the curiosity, the sense of adventure alive. And that’s exactly how i approach photography: full heart, full send, every single time. Each project feels like stepping into a brand new piece of the world, a chance to document the details that make each story extraordinary.​
After nearly a decade of getting to help tell all the most dynamic of your stories, I have realized that Amanda Ruth Photos isn’t just a business—it’s really a chunk of my heart. I like to describe it as the intersection of authenticity and imagination. It’s my faith, my fascination with God and Creation, and my absolute love for storytelling, all wrapped up into something I get to now share with you. :)
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And let me make one thing clear—ARP is a space for everyone. I believe every single person deserves to be loved, treasured, and cherished as my God has done this for me. Full stop. I won't ever debate that. Every photo I get to take is more than just an image; it’s a memory, a piece of soul, a glimpse into something real, a place to embrace being a bit vulnerable or simply enjoy a new adventure, and that's an experience everyone deserves.
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​What a gift it is to be a record keeper of these moments. What an honor! Seriously. I truly think about it everyday and don’t take it for granted for even a second. I cannot wait to meet you, to hear your story, and to capture it in a way that feels like you. Because this is what I love to do, and it truly means the absolute world to me. ♡
If I am not shooting, here's where you'll find me!:
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Hiking a cool spot I probably just found scrolling Google Earth. I’m a “river in the mountains” girl to my core
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Hanging with my husky dog Dakota, who is packed with a whole lotta sass
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On a lil date with my fiancé James, the most supportive person ever. We love hitting up record stores, thrift shops, and local ice cream or coffee spots ♡
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Binging a good TV show like Gilmore Girls, or any competition reality series with friends or family
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Traveling (or road-tripping for hours)
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Curating many, many Spotify playlists and going wild on Pinterest—my best ideas always hit around 1AM
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Soaking up every season, delving into the best of all it has to offer. There’s magic in every time of year if you’re looking for it
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Playing Life is Strange— the game that inspires so much of my photography and ultimately is what sparked my love for the PNW
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Drinking tea (hot or iced). Nothing beats that first glass of sun tea with lemon after a long winter. Obsessed
Education and Experience
If you're looking for a photographer you can trust, you've also come to the right place. As of 2023, I have graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a B.F.A. concentration in Photography and Videography. With this in cohorts with nearly 10 years of experience, you can not only rest assured that you have a photographer whose heart is in the project, but also who has the proper training and determination to back it up. And, if we're honest, that is the least interesting part of my craft!
The takeaway
I hope to experience, a colorful, enriched, all-in, adventurous life. I want to wear bright cherry red because it's my favorite color, I want to not feel bad for not ever wearing my retainer (sorry), I want to swap polish for polish remover. I want that all for you, too. Ultimately, when I think of the art I am so blessed to create with other humans, I'd like for it to feel true yet fantastical, allowing room for the silly and imperfect and lighthearted just as much as the emotional and heavy and raw. I want it to feel like you, and all of the realistic bits of pieces of you— that's where the magic is!
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Sincerely,
