Is there really such a thing as an overnight success? With 17 years in the industry, today’s guest Amanda Crean is sharing her take on the phrase.
After moving halfway across the world and reestablishing her business in a completely new city, Amanda discusses the importance of leveraging opportunities when they come your way. Plus Kelley shares the number one thing she has learned after shooting with Amanda. In fact that she has implemented it in every wedding since! Amanda truly is a wealth of knowledge and we can’t wait for you to listen to this conversation- it may leave your head spinning with all of the nuggets of gold she shares!
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It’s easy to scroll Instagram, look at someone’s stunning portfolio, and think, “Wow, they just blew up overnight.” But what you don’t see behind that success is often a decade (or more) of trial, sacrifice, reinvention, and persistence.
In this episode, we sit down with luxury wedding photographer Amanda Crean, whose 17-year career has spanned multiple countries, multiple rebrands, and more reinvention than most would ever guess. If you think success in the luxury space is reserved for a select few with the right connections or the “perfect brand” from day one, Amanda’s story will change your mind.
From starting over in a new country with zero contacts to shooting major weddings for elite planners, Amanda’s journey is proof that talent matters—but what matters even more is how you show up, stay the course, and keep evolving.
One of the most powerful themes in this conversation? The idea of burning the boats. Amanda shares how early in her career, she made bold moves like quitting jobs with no backup plan, leaving the safety net behind, and betting on herself completely. That same boldness carried her through major career pivots, including a transatlantic move and a deliberate re-entry into the California luxury wedding market.
But it wasn’t overnight.
She humbled herself. She second-shot. She built new relationships. And she stayed grounded in her belief that she could figure it out. Not because she was the most “naturally gifted,” but because she was relentless. She paid attention. She refined her work. And she always, always showed up with intention and professionalism—even when things didn’t go as planned.
If you’ve ever felt like it’s taking longer than it should… this episode is a reminder that you’re right on time.
Inside this episode, we cover everything Amanda’s story touches on brand clarity, elevated client experience, high-end planner relationships, pricing, positioning, and most importantly… the mindset to stay the course when the growth feels slow.
And maybe that’s the most beautiful kind of success, because the only “overnight success” that lasts is the one built with time, intention, and strategy.
The kind of business that doesn’t just look luxury—it feels luxury from the inside out?
The Luxury Mastermind is our 12-week program designed for wedding photographers and filmmakers who are ready to break out of the mainstream and confidently step into the high-end space.
If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start building a business that truly reflects your talent, RSVP at thelevelupco.com/mastermind.
