Featured in Orlando Voyager: Life & Work with Ami Brown

I’m so honored to share a little milestone with you all. Recently, I was featured in Orlando Voyager, where I had the opportunity to talk about my journey, my heart behind Shea Rose Photography, and the experiences that shaped both my work and my why.

My Story — How Shea Rose Photography Began

If you’re new here, this feels like the perfect place to start! My photography journey began in 2009, during a season of profound loss and transformation.

After my sister-in-law passed away, leaving behind a six-week-old baby girl, our family came together to create a nonprofit in her honor. I served on the board for a year, and around that same time, I had just gotten my first DSLR camera.

I wanted to support the nonprofit in a meaningful way while also wanted to learn how to use my camera. So I sent an email out to my neighborhood, sharing my story and offering photo sessions on a donation-only basis to help raise funds for the nonprofit’s 501(c)(3) status.

What started as a small local effort quickly grew through word of mouth. Friends shared with friends, neighbors spread the word, and before I even realized it, Shea Rose Photography was born.

At its core, it all started with a camera, a desire to capture my own children’s lives, and a heartfelt mission to make a difference.

Why Connection Is at the Heart of Everything I Do

Today, my work is rooted in connection, it always has been.

I’m a single mom of three, and I know just how fleeting each season of life can be. That perspective shapes the way I approach every session. Whether I’m photographing a graduating senior, a dancer in motion, or a business owner stepping into their brand, my goal is always the same:

To help people feel seen, confident, and celebrated.

The name Shea Rose is deeply personal, it comes from my daughters’ middle names, Madison Shea and Olivia Rose. And while my son may not be in the name, he’s absolutely in the heart of everything I do. My kids are my greatest inspiration and the reason I pour so much love into this work.

The Challenges That Shaped Me

If I’m being honest this journey has never been a straight line.

When I started, I wasn’t a photographer in the traditional sense. I didn’t know how to use my camera properly, didn’t know how to edit, and had no idea what to charge. Everything I learned came from YouTube tutorials, Google searches, and a lot of trial and error.

Building a photography business while raising three kids as a single mom meant learning everything at once client management, editing workflows, pricing, delivering a full experience, all while packing lunches, helping with homework, and showing up for my family.

It was messy. It was exhausting. And it was absolutely worth it.

Every challenge shaped not only the photographer I am today, but the woman behind the camera.

What I Specialize In Today

I’m a portrait photographer based in the Orlando area, specializing in:

• Senior photography

• Dancer portraits & team sessions

• Personal branding photography

• Professional headshots for individuals and teams

I work with people who want more than just a “nice photo.” They want images that feel like them.

What sets my sessions apart is the experience. I create a space that’s relaxed, fun, and judgment-free. Most people arrive feeling nervous — and they leave feeling like they just spent time with a friend who happens to be holding a camera.

I’m especially proud of the moments when clients see their images for the first time and feel confident in a way they haven’t before. I’ve had people cry happy tears because they finally see themselves the way others do — strong, beautiful, and worthy of being captured.

That’s the part of this work that never gets old.

Being Featured in Orlando Voyager

Being featured in Orlando Voyager is such an incredible reminder of why I started this journey in the first place.

This isn’t just a job to me, it’s deeply personal. Every session is a collaboration, a piece of storytelling, and a reminder that every season of life deserves to be remembered and celebrated.

Let’s Create Something Meaningful Together! If you’re looking for a photographer who values connection, storytelling, and making you feel comfortable in front of the camera I’d love to work together.

Whether you’re planning senior photos, dancer portraits, personal branding images, or updated headshots, I’m always happy to chat and help you create something meaningful. Fill out the contact form on my website and lets chat about your session.

Based in the Orlando area
Available for studio, home studio, and on-location sessions

Feel free to reach out anytime — I can’t wait to connect with you.