Authentic Moments: Thorson Photography

Posted on 21 September, 2017

Capturing all the weird and wonderful moments as you make the most meaningful commitment of your lives.

“I’ve worked really hard at two things. First, being a kick-ass wife and mum, and second, making sure I do the best possible job I can for my couples.”

That statement pretty much sums up Amanda Thorson, whose individuality, strength of character and all-around awesomeness make her the sassiest wedding photographer in Canberra. So, get ready and forget everything you know about wedding photographers because Thorson Photography is anything but typical.

A mother of two and committed wife, Amanda is a true queen of photography.

“Let’s be honest,” she says, “wedding photos are weird.” Amanda thrives off being the stranger who acts as a voyeur at your wedding, seeing the weird little details that make up a marriage. However, while Amanda promises to be the best wedding lurker ever (read: she’ll take stunning photos but won’t interrupt your special day with tedious photo shoots) she doesn’t really want to be a stranger.

“The best thing about my career,” says Amanda, “is the people I meet. I love hearing from them when they get their photos, I love that they trust me with this very important task.”

So what sets Amanda apart from the throngs? For one, she’s not begging, and she won’t force herself on you.

“I try to keep things simple and because of that I’m not for everyone,” she explains. “If you’re not an a**hole then I would love to be your wedding photographer!”

And what is so special about her photographic practice? Two main things:

First, she’s not the photographer equivalent of an ambulance chaser.

“I don’t offer expensive albums or prints,” she explains. “Having a second shooter is non-negotiable and you pay for events rather than by the hour.”

Amanda opts for economy, and it’s predominantly because she’s real about life.

“In my work I’ve been very deliberate about keeping my energy and focus on the images and not adding ‘time sucks’ like albums or running a big fancy studio,” Amanda asserts. “I have grown my business to a point where it provides a comfortable living but doesn’t rule my life.”

Amanda with her family

Second, she believes that authentic moments and relationships are what make a wedding and her authentic style means she captures special, weird and wonderful moments for her clients, which truly showcase their personalities. Amanda doesn’t have any preference for wedding aesthetics, rather, she recognises that the main event isn’t the flowers or the dress, it’s you.

“Don’t get me wrong,” she says, “I enjoy seeing beautifully styled weddings, but people and relationships are what makes weddings important.”

Finally, if you’re reading this and lusting after Amanda’s work but already have a ring on your finger, it’s worth noting she also does family shoots and births.

Find out more about Amanda and her work at thorsonphotography.com.au. 

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