Amanda Forman

I recently met up with the lovely Amanda Forman in her favourite Rutland café, Fika. After catching up, we got down to chatting about her job, a wedding and pet photographer. Amanda is one of those people who adores her job, and it shows; she lights up when she talks about it!

I've known Amanda for a couple of years now and was interested in how she started out - turns out it was boudoir photography. Rather than making her clients completely change how their bodies look, she uses these shoots to celebrate femininity and who you are, no matter your body size or shape. She has even photographed her sister in this setting - so she really knows how to make clients feel comfortable!

Amanda then joined photographers as a second, or third, shooter at weddings, purely to see if she liked it! Turns out, Amanda and weddings were a match made in heaven. 

Her first booking was a complete chance booking and Amanda admits she was nervous, but adored it. She is the absolute embodiment of a people person and describes herself as "a photographer who specialises in working with couples who don't like having their photo taken". She admits that you have to be able to vibe with your photographer as it's a special relationship than with your other suppliers, and suggests booking your photographer (and videographer) straight after booking your venue, and of course your date. 

In terms of the day itself, Amanda always carries a backup camera and memory card, having seen disasters occur before with dropped cameras! She loves the challenge of a wedding and thinking on her feet, particularly in terms of where to set up shots. Although she won't visit a venue beforehand, she always arrives early on the day, scopes out locations and then goes straight to your bridal prep to start capturing your day. 

Aware that it's a long day for couples, Amanda splits up the couple portraits throughout the day - some formal shots after the ceremony, then with the sunset, and again in the evening. She also will stay until after your first dance to capture this special moment. 

Couples have a quick turnaround for their shots of 6-8 weeks, although will see sneak peeks as soon as the day after the wedding. Amanda also offers a slideshow option, featuring 40-50 edited shots from the day than can play before the first dance. With her laid back but efficient approach, Amanda is the perfect choice for your wedding day photography. 

Amanda and her husband moved to Rutland a few years ago from London. Amanda says they knew instantly they wanted to live here when they drove into Oakham from Barnsdale Lodge, a gorgeous view at any time of the year. Both fitness fiends and animal lovers, they saw this as the perfect location to start their country life. Fast forward to the present day and they have a purpose built gym in their garage and two dogs, Hercules and Perseus. They are gorgeous!

In January 2017, Amanda formed Rutland Pet Photography, combining two of her greatest loves. I have watched her work and she is amazing with the animals she photographs. She is so natural, and describes this part of her job as "pet therapy" - for her! The sessions are incredibly fun for all involved and the owners are encouraged to interact as much as possible with their pets to get the best out of them.

​She is now an Associate of the Master Photographers Association for her pet photography and is the official photographer for Edition Dogs Magazine.  Amanda can shoot either outdoors - her favourite location is Barnsdale Woods - or in her custom designed studio in her own home. 

I first met Amanda at a wedding fair a few years ago and since then we have met frequently at meetings of the Rutland Wedding Collective, a private group of wedding suppliers that Amanda runs. This is just one example of how she has overcome some of the difficulties of working for yourself, and working freelance - by bringing like minded people together. She also leads the Rutland Pet Networking Group and is a member of numerous photography groups too. 

Her passion for meeting new people and photographing either them or their dogs is apparent throughout her life and work, she is a genuine inspiration to someone also in the creative industry.

Facebook - AmandaFormanPhotography, Rutland Pet Photography
Instagram - @amandaformanphotography, @rutlandpetphotography