My Story
Hi, I’m Amanda! Welcome to my website!
A little about me... I grew up in Minnesota and have been a dancer for as long as I can remember. I’ve now called Las Vegas home for over 20 years, and during that time I’ve had the opportunity to perform in numerous shows, nightclubs, major corporate events, award shows, and even travel the world dancing aboard cruise ships.
Dancing was truly my first love and passion, but I also knew I wouldn’t be able to perform forever.
About 15 years ago, that thought actually kept me up one night. I remember wondering, What am I going to do next? I wanted to have a plan in place before retiring from performing rather than feel like I was starting completely from scratch.
So I asked myself a very simple question: What do I love to do?
The answer was easy — I loved taking pictures.
I thought, Maybe I could be a photographer.
And honestly, that was it! I suddenly had something new to be excited about. Photography was already something I enjoyed, and I felt like I naturally had an eye for it. I saved my money for a few months, purchased my first professional camera, and started photographing my friends in the entertainment industry so I could practice, experiment, and learn.
I didn’t go to photography school or have formal training. Everything I know came from trial and error, advice from photographer friends, lots of YouTube videos, and simply putting in the time behind the camera. I’ve come a long way since those early days, but I still love learning new things, experimenting with ideas, and finding new ways to be creative.
Within my first year of photography, I was given an incredible opportunity to become the in-house photographer for Encore Beach Club at the Encore Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. I spent three years photographing partygoers, celebrities, and world-renowned DJs while continuing to perform and build my photography business at the same time.
Today, I photograph a variety of subjects and events, but my specialty has naturally become headshots and portfolio photography for entertainers and models. My background as a performer gives me a unique understanding of what it feels like to be on the other side of the camera, and I love helping people feel comfortable, confident, and look their absolute best.
My love for entertainment also eventually led me in another direction. In 2020, I started my own entertainment company, Pop Up Performers, allowing me to take everything I had learned throughout my years in the Las Vegas entertainment industry and turn it into something of my own.
And then, in June 2022, I stepped into my favorite role yet when I welcomed my daughter, Olivia.
Looking back, it’s funny how one late-night question about what I would do after dancing turned into an entirely new chapter of my life. Photography gave me another creative outlet, the entertainment industry inspired me to become a business owner, and both have allowed me to continue doing what I love — creating, connecting with people, and being surrounded by amazing talent.
