Interview: Amanda Gril, Photographer

Hello friends,

I’m excited to introduce a new interview! This time, I’m speaking with Amanda, an exceptional photographer who inspires many with her work. Since starting her career in 2003, she has specialized in portrait and boudoir photography. Her passion for photographing women and uncovering their true beauty through the lens has led her to develop a unique approach she calls ‘visual therapy.’ Her work is both aesthetically captivating and deeply connected to the power of self-confidence and personal freedom.

In today’s interview, Amanda will share her photographic journey, challenges, inspirations, and her views on art and life. I’m sure her story will inspire you just as it inspired me! Let’s get started!

Photographic passion and visual therapy: An interview with Amanda, master of boudoir photography

You can find Amanda here:

Website: amandasboudoir.com
E-mail: boudoir@amandagril.com
Instagram: amandas_boudoir
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amandaandboudoir/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-gril

1. Hi Amanda, how long have you been working as a photographer now?

Since 2003.

2. What inspired you to become a photographer? What were your first steps?

Well, it’s a straightforward tale: I found my inspiration in portraiture. Faces captivated me—their expressions, contours, and features. My introduction to photography began with self-portraits; I recall borrowing a friend’s camera and being struck by the ease of digital photography. So much so, that within a year of experimenting with this medium, I held my first exhibition featuring portraits. From there, I delved deeper into the psychology behind portraiture, and I’ve been enamored with it ever since.

3. Are you a professional or an amateur photographer? Professional. What is your favorite subject to photograph?

People, and if I go more into details, women. That’s why lately I can’t think about anything else more in depth rather than boudoir photography. It became almost like my obsession. 🙂 Boudoir photography to me means so much more than just photography, actually I call it ‘Visual Therapy’. Why? Because I put every woman that comes into my boudoir on pedestal, where she is free of judgement and rules. Where she can be unapologetically herself.

4. What kit do you shoot with?

I am a Nikon girl. My gear consists of two bodies of Nikon D750 and the following lenses:

24-70mm f/2.8
50mm f/1.4
20mm f/1.4
105mm macro

5. How would you define your photographic style?

I think of my approach in general as cinematic.

6. Which editing software do you usually use?

Photoshop and Capture one combined.

7. John Wanamaker said: Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is, I do not know which half. Do you gain your clients by advertising or in another way?

Mostly by word of mouth, but sometimes I give interviews or advertise on IG.

8. How does your typical working day look like? What do you do when you are not working? How many hours/days per week are you working? What do you do in your free time?

To start with, I ‘work’ constantly. When I walk in the park, when I watch movie, when I travel or cook. I consider myself lucky enough to have my work as a playground. I just simply love what I do. My day usually starts with stretching, breakfast and then retouching in front of computer, if I don’t have any photoshoots, of course. When I do, is all about that – preparing, contemplating and executing. For example, right now I am preparing a boudoir photoshoot in a boutique hotel in Ljubljana. I already gathered the whole team, prepared the creative part and arrange the whole logistic. In the free time I usually like to shake my body with sports, either hiking, biking, yoga or kitesurfing, depends on the season.

9. What would you do differently if you would start again?

Nothing major really, maybe I would invest earlier in Masterclasses – there is never enough knowledge, right!?

10. A professional photographer is also an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs have many things in common. They read a lot. What about you? What are your favorite books?

Oh I have many! One for example is The Way of the Wizard, from Deepak Chopra, another one I really like is Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari and the last one is Three Women by Lisa Taddeo. Of course not to mention all the beautiful work from icons like Helmut Newton, Horst, Penn, Ritts, Chanel, …

11. What was the best advice you have ever received as a photographer? Do you have any advice for other photographers?

Hmm, I would combine few advices from different creative individuals into this one: ‘Sit still and observe.’ Observe light. Do not rush, let the world unfold in front of you. I think we need to go back to our silence and observe the world from there.