Meet Amanda: Your Traverse City Pet Photographer & Dog-Loving Expert

Hi, I’m Amanda—your friendly neighborhood pet photographer in Traverse City, Michigan! You may recognize me as the person lying in the dirt making weird noises to get the perfect shot of your furry bestie. But did you know I’m also weirdly good at predicting movie twists? (Don’t worry, I’ll keep it to myself—unless you’re my husband. He has to suffer through my talents.)

Or that I bake a mean pumpkin chocolate chip cookie? (A bakery once asked for the recipe—just saying.)

Or that I once dreamed of being a dog when I grew up? (Since that’s unfortunately not possible, becoming a pet photographer seemed like the next best thing.)

But enough about me—just kidding, this post is about me. If you’d like to get to know the human behind the camera, here are some fun facts about me!

The essentials

📍 I’m based in Traverse City and specialize in outdoor pet photography around Northern Michigan. I love capturing dogs in their happiest, most natural environments—whether it’s a sunset beach session on Lake Michigan or a crisp fall morning in the woods.

🐶 I’ve had pets my entire life—dogs, cats, horses, a pig, even mice! Now, I share my home with two dogs, a cat, three pond goldfish, and an ever-changing number of frogs. (Frog safety in our yard is questionable—looking at you, crows.)

📷 My goal? Capturing your pet’s personality in a way that makes you smile every day. Whether your dog is goofy, energetic, or a professional napper, I create portraits that celebrate them just as they are.

Fun facts & quirks

☕ Tea is my love language. I love it so much that I named my cats Tea and Lemon. At this very moment, I’m sipping Earl Grey from my favorite mug, which (fittingly) says, Dogs are my favorite people.

🎬 I am one of those people with a never-ending rotating list of comfort shows, namely: Gilmore Girls, The Office, New Girl, Parks & Rec, and Friends. I also love a good movie day snuggled up with my dogs, snacks, and a cozy blanket—bonus points if it’s raining.

🌲 I love nature, but I hate hot weather and bugs. It’s an eternal conflict for me. I want to be outside and in the woods with all the beautiful trees, but it’s hot out there, and there are bugs. Somehow my love of photographing dogs allows me to overcome this obstacle because I often find myself outside on a hot day laying on the ground in the woods, where all the spiders and bugs are. I guess what they say is true: good (dogs) always triumphs over evil (bugs). But you better believe I’m showering immediately when I get home.

🧠 I am a trivia enthusiast. I’m a two-time Office trivia champion, which feels like something to brag about. You might catch me at Stone Hound Brewing on a Wednesday night playing trivia with friends. Our team name? We Miss Our Dogs. (Because we do.)

🎲 Game nights are my jam. Board games? Love them. Mario Party? Let’s-a go. Pictionary? Bring it on.

📱 My Instagram algorithm is half Taylor Swift and half animals doing cute and funny things. I’m not ashamed. They’ve figured me out!

🌅 I am not at all a morning person. I’m a night owl through and through, which is why I’m always excited for sunset photo sessions in the summer. Huge thanks to all who appreciate those late golden-hour shoots!

Random, but important

🍫 Dark chocolate is a health food. (Right? It brings me joy, and that’s what counts.) Also, if you haven’t had the moose tracks ice cream from Milk & Honey, run—don’t walk.

👻 Yes, I believe in ghosts. Tell me your best ghost story, and I’ll tell you mine.

🍂 Fall is my favorite season, and 63°F is my ideal temperature.

🕯 I have a candle problem. My current favorite is Moody Bitch from Evil Queen. It’s as amazing as it sounds.

🎄 Hidden talent? Finding the perfect Christmas tree. I take this very seriously. Some years, it takes hours; some years, I find the one immediately. When you know, you know, you know?

Why I love being a Traverse City pet photographer

At the end of the day, photographing pets brings me so much joy. Every dog I meet has a unique personality, and capturing that in a way that makes their humans smile? That’s what it’s all about.

So, now that you know a little more about me, tell me about you! What’s a fun fact about you? Do any of my quirks resonate with you? Leave a comment below—I’d love to hear it!

📸 Want to book a Traverse City pet photography session? Let’s chat! Contact me here.