amanda hanig
Olá! I’m Amanda, a Brazilian photographer living in Australia since 2023.
I’m deeply passionate about life, and that passion is what led me to leave Brazil, to connect with the world, explore new places, and step out of my comfort zone, always challenging myself to grow and become the best version of who I can be.
I come from a strong, family-centered background, and to me, family is everything. That’s one of the reasons why documenting love stories, from engagements and weddings to maternity and pregnancy, feels so special.
I’ve always had two sides: one drawn to health and helping others, which led me to study dentistry, and another deeply creative, full of ideas and a love for visual storytelling.
In 2018, I made the first real decision to work with photography. At the time, I was studying dentistry and needed a way to earn money to pay for my exchange program in the United States, which I would do after graduating. Since university was full-time, I needed something flexible and all I had was a hobby, a borrowed old camera, and a dream. That’s where it all began.
Photography felt natural to me, I was always the kind of teenager who loved spending free time obsessively learning photo and video editing software, experimenting, creating, turning curiosity into skill. The same one who would invite friends over just to spend the afternoon “taking photos,” and the friend everyone counted on for birthday videos and creative surprises.
Life, however, led me to pause photography for a few years while I focused on other personal projects. During that time, I dedicated myself to improving my english, studying marketing (another passion of mine), traveling extensively and, of course, working A LOT. In the middle of all those experiences, one thing became very clear to me: I didn’t want to spend my life inside a dental office. And I knew I had a talent waiting to be shared, a calling I could no longer ignore, and the time had finally come to put it to use.
So in 2024, I gave photography another chance! With hard work and full dedication, I transitioned careers and, in just one year, turned my passion into my full-time job. Today, I make a living doing what I truly love. Some call it madness; I call it courage. We only get one life, and I choose to live mine by always giving my best and doing what feels true, meaningful, and fulfilling.
Through photography I finally find the space where my sensitivity could become art and I’ve not only found purpose, but connection.
Living far from my own family, from the kids and furry friends I miss so deeply, makes every moment I share with my clients even more meaningful. These connections, big or small, remind me of home and fill my heart in ways I never expected.
Over the years, I’ve worked with people from the USA, Nepal, Africa, Mexico and many other corners of the world. I’ve made friends with mis hermanos from Argentina, Colombia, and of course, Australia. I fell in love with Japanese food, the people of Indonesia, the architecture of Singapore and the energy of Thailand.
All of this shaped how I show up in the world: adaptable, open, and easy to work with. I’m friendly, easy-going, and genuinely enjoy good company.
I share this because when you hire a photographer, it’s never just about the photos. You’re sharing time, energy, and moments, maybe for a few hours, maybe a full day, sometimes even across a trip. It makes all the difference when the connection feels natural. You need to feel comfortable with the person you’re working with, because how you feel during the experience shows up in the images!
In the end, it’s not just about what we create. It’s about the experience, the vibe, the exchange, and the way it makes you feel.
My Photography Style
I mix documentary photography with a cinematic eye. Documentary photography is about capturing real moments as they happen. I focus on genuine emotions, small details, and natural interactions.
With a cinematic approach, I pay close attention to light, composition, and mood, framing moments like scenes from a movie: emotional, tender, or dramatic. So the photos are not only real but also beautiful and full of feeling.
I also love to capture slight blur and motion, allowing the images to feel alive and full of life. Whether it’s a laugh, a look, or a gentle touch, these subtle movements bring authenticity and emotion to each photograph.
Depending on the concept of the shoot and the client’s vision, some images may carry a more editorial feel, blending storytelling with a refined, stylized aesthetic.
A few more facts about me:
Created to create
My formal education is in a different area, but my true passion has always been CREATIVITY. Beyond photography, I’ve also participated in marketing learning programs in the U.S. and Australia. Talk to me about marketing, business, personal development, leadership, or related topics, and I’m instantly all ears: curious, excited, and ready to dive in!
My Journey Abroad
Living abroad had been my biggest dream since I was 13, and after finishing university, I finally made it happen. I spent two years in the U.S., traveling through more than ten states and collecting countless memories along the way. I loved my time there, but life eventually brought me to Australia, where I discovered a new chapter that feels unexpectedly right. I’ve been living here since 2023, embracing challenges as stepping stones to my dreams,exploring every campsite and discovering other countries in this part of the world with my best friend by my side — my lovely boyfriend.
Music Lover
If you ever see me walking down the street, there’s a good chance I’ll be wearing my headphones, listening to music at full volume: all kinds, all genres. Seriously, you’d be shocked at my random playlist! I come from a very musical family, where most people play the guitar (our family’s ‘official’ instrument) and for a period of my life, I worked as a guitar teacher for children!
Little Kids, Huge Love
I have a deep love for children and plenty of experience with them, from teaching guitar and being a passionate aunt, I’ve also volunteered in hospitals and orphanages, (which, by the way, completely changed my outlook on life and is one of the reasons I live life to the fullest), and worked with children during my dental studies, experiences that have only deepened my sense of care and empathy toward little ones and people in general. And yes, I absolutely adore pets too, so please feel free to bring them to your shoot!
don't let your dreams be dreams
This is the phrase I have tattooed on my shoulder. It’s the same phrase I once wrote inside a cardboard box I turned into a “safe,” hidden under my bed, where I placed every single coin I saved to pay for my dream. It’s also the phrase I used to tape all around my house when I was younger, reminding myself not to stop until I made it happen.
I didn’t come from a rich family (though I did come from a family rich in love). I was the first in my family to graduate and the first to leave Brazil, so everything I achieved carried a weight far beyond the surface.
“Don’t you dare forget where you came from, but don’t you dare let it define you.”
Our limitations and obstacles can only do two things:
1) stop us in our tracks, or
2) force us to become creative and take action!
In the end, what was meant to be just a symbolic tattoo from that chapter of my life became something that truly defines me: I don’t stop until I reach my goals!
And please, allow yourself to do the same. There is no greater feeling than seeing a dream come true.
Inspired by the World
If you’ve made it this far, it’s probably clear how much I love living fully and diving into new experiences. Traveling is one of the things that makes me feel most alive, I’m naturally drawn to adventure, new places, and everything that comes with them.
When photography takes me to another city, state, or country, it feels even more special. Creating images while exploring the world is something I truly love. So if your story is somewhere else, just let me know, I’ll happily travel to you!
