Meet Amanda Kupniewski

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amanda Kupniewski a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Amanda, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I have found my purpose through prayer. Through the changes, the ups and downs of life, one thing has always been stable in my life, and that is Jesus Christ. I was pregnant with my son, Lucca, during the COVID-19 pandemic. My husband and I were living in Denver, and had just finished a huge home renovation when we learned that my mom’s breast cancer had returned and it had metastasized. My parents and most of our family lived in and around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the time. After we weren’t able to return for Christmas due to the pandemic and my pregnancy, I decided I never wanted to miss another Christmas with my family. My husband knows the importance of family for me, and he agreed it was time for us to move back to PIttsburgh. I knew with the cross country move at 7 months pregnant, and the cost of daycare for two young children, my career as an oncology nurse would need to be put on the back burner for a bit. I started diving into scripture more at the time and discovered the “Seasons of soap” journals by Horacio Printing. This way of reading and praying over scripture changed my relationship with Jesus. It felt personal. It felt like I could hear Him and see Him moving in my life. Around that time I had a conversation with a friend who called me out of the blue because she felt like God was pushing her to do so, and she suggested I dive into a photography career. I immediately knew this would be a calling for me and started praying and journaling more about what this new journey would look like.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

As a photographer I love empowering women in every stage of their journey. From entrepreneurial, branding & headshot sessions to maternity, motherhood, newborn and family sessions to legacy sessions, I love hearing from and photographing women in all walks of life. I think what really makes my business what it is though, is the purpose. My photography business is named “Take Heart” after John 16:33 which says- “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me, you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But Take Heart; I have overcome the world.” This verse reminds me to appreciate the amazing moments in life, to capture them through photography, and to focus on Jesus and these beautiful moments when inevitable trouble comes along. As a former, oncology nurse, and relative of many family members who have dealt with cancer, I have a special passion to serve these people. I do that in my photography career through regularly offering complimentary photo sessions to oncology patient nominees.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

In my photography career the three qualities and areas of knowledge that have been most impactful in my journey is number one- understanding light. Observing how it moves and affects the world around me has been essential in learning to take beautiful photos. Also important is to have a servant heart, understanding the goal behind each session, and having a genuine desire to serve your client well. Last, but not least, is being an empath- to be able to read the feelings of kids, parents and adjust the session based on their cues. This is how you get people to feel comfortable and be themselves and end up with photos they love. I think these skills can be developed through observation and listening.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I’d love to collaborate with creatives interested in more creative and styled shoots.

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