Meet Andrea Lewis

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andrea Lewis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andrea below.

Hi Andrea, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?

I learned to take risks by saying yes before I had all the answers. When I began my business, nothing about it followed a typical roadmap — I didn’t have every step planned out, just a few goals in my mind, and a deep pull toward building something meaningful. That sense of calling — part faith, part intuition — nudged me to trust the gifts I’d been given by God and to pursue the dream placed on my heart.

Taking risk became a rhythm: investing in gear before I had a full client calendar, charting my own creative path, leaning into customized editing when no other photographers were doing it (and it was even discouraged), and believing that the stories I wanted to tell through imagery would resonate if I stayed true to the vision.

I won’t pretend I was fearless — I wasn’t. But each time I stepped forward, even with shaky hands, I saw growth. I discovered that risk isn’t about leaping blindly; it’s about aligning with what you believe you’re made to do, showing up consistently, and being willing to learn through both the missteps and the victories. All I had to go on at times was the thought, “what do I have to lose?” If the answer was, nothing beyond a little lost time or money, then I would often say, “let’s try it and see what happens.” Being okay with the unknown outcome was key.

As I pursued new goals I saw doors open in ways I couldn’t have scripted. My faith grounded me when uncertainties felt heavy, while grit, curiosity, and a passion for serving people did the everyday work. And over time, risk-taking became less about proving myself and more about honoring the purpose behind the dream.

Choosing to do things differently didn’t just grow my business — it strengthened my confidence that big goals are worth chasing, even when the path isn’t predictable. It taught me that courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the willingness to move forward anyway, trusting that with faith, hard work, and heart, the story will unfold exactly as it’s meant to.

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

I’m the founder and lead creator behind Amative Creative, a luxury wedding photography and videography team based in Virginia & Colorado and destinations worldwide. We specialize in crafting deeply personalized visual stories through a blend of film, digital imagery, and customized editing that reflects each couple’s unique vision — from bright and airy to earthy, vintage, or editorial.

What excites me most is the connection we build with our couples. Every wedding is its own tapestry of meaningful details — the quiet moments, the joyful chaos, the people who matter most. Our work honors those stories with artistry, intention, and a deep respect for the sacredness of marriage. While my faith guides my purpose, our approach is grounded in celebrating every couple’s narrative with authenticity.

We’ve grown into a fully integrated photo-and-video team, traveling for destination weddings across the U.S. and abroad, and offering a truly seamless experience for couples who want their entire story told with one cohesive vision. Recently, we’ve expanded our services to Colorado while continuing to serve Virginia, DC, and Maryland, and we now waive travel fees anywhere in the U.S.

Whether a celebration unfolds beneath the Blue Ridge Mountains or in a château in France, our goal is always the same: to create timeless, meaningful imagery that feels personal, heartfelt, and artfully told.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three qualities have been especially impactful in my journey: courage, curiosity, and connection.

Courage came first — the willingness to start before I felt fully ready. Building a business in the wedding world required saying yes to big dreams, trusting the gifts I’d been given, and being willing to take risks even when the outcome wasn’t guaranteed. For anyone just beginning, remember that confidence is grown, not gifted. Start with small brave steps, and let each one build your strength.

Second was curiosity. I treated every project, every tool, every challenge as an opportunity to learn. From fine art film to customized editing styles, I leaned into inspiration and experimentation instead of staying inside the lines. If you’re early in your career, seek mentors, ask questions, try new approaches, fail forward, and stay teachable — it will keep your work fresh and fuel your growth.

Finally, connection has shaped everything. Photography and videography are deeply relational; the more I invested in people — understanding their stories, honoring their values, and documenting their day with intention — the more meaningful and impactful my work became. Prioritize relationships, practice empathy, and create from a place of genuine care. Faith anchored me in this, reminding me that every person is a gift and every story is worth honoring.
My biggest advice?

Be brave enough to begin, curious enough to keep learning, and compassionate enough to serve people wholeheartedly. That combination will carry you further than perfection ever could.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

Over the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been learning to confidently step back from shooting every single weekend and give myself more margin for rest, family, and creative leadership. Our photo and video team has been serving our couples alongside me for several years now, but this year I made the intentional choice to personally take on fewer wedding days. It was a big shift — not because the team wasn’t capable, but because releasing something you love is never simple.

For a long time, I thrived on being everywhere at once: shooting back-to-back weekends, handling the creative direction, and immersing myself in every detail. But I began to recognize that for the well-being of my family, my faith, and even the long-term strength of the business, there needed to be more balance. Expanding into a healthier rhythm meant trusting the highly talented creatives who have already been representing our brand with excellence for years, while also giving myself the space to rest, lead, dream, and grow our vision more strategically.

This shift has been incredibly life-giving. I’ve been able to be more present with my family, invest in creative direction, and guide our couples and team at a deeper level. It reminded me that growth doesn’t always look like doing more — sometimes it looks like stepping back, letting others shine, and nurturing what matters most.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amativecreative.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amativecreative
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amativecreative
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@amativecreative