Hey! It's me, creator behind the camera of Steele Lens Photography. My name is Amanda Steele and I live in Nanoose Bay on beautiful Vancouver Island with my amazing husband and 2 incredible kiddos, a puppy, a cat and little flock of hens. I am a creator. I am an artist. I am a story teller. I love the power of a photograph. A picture really does speak a thousand words. The feeling that you get, the way a photograph can stop you in your tracks, and transported you back in time. Taken directly to the moment an image was captured. The feelings. The smells. All of the details come rushing back. That is such a special gift. I've been taking photos as long as I can remember, since I was a kid running around snapping pics with my Kodak ektralite! The gratitude I feel for those photographs is beyond measurement. Like little breadcrumbs that lead back to different stages of my life, opening the windows to memories I keep tucked away. My career as a photographer is blossoming and I am so proud of myself for taking the chance. For being bold. For opening myself up and seeing the value in what I have to offer.
I was widowed at the age of 27. In 2017, my first husband was killed in a tragic accident at work. One moment it was like every other day... saying see ya later, love you, have a good day... and then I received a call at work that would change mine and my daughters life. Completely turn it upside down. The person who I was no longer existed. The 9-5 job I had worked for the past decade suddenly seemed like a joke. What was it all for? To save for a retirement that you may or may not make it to? How much time we spent apart, working in the way society has set it all up for us. The value of life shifted for me completely and I had to rebuild who I was, one piece at time. Some of those pieces were picked back up from my past life and some of the pieces are new. And everyday I am learning more and more about myself. Why is all of this relevant? Well, maybe it's not... but it's my story and one of the reasons I am choosing to pour my energy into things that bring me joy and keep my heart and soul full of gratitude. When my first husband died, I looked through all of the photos I had taken during our 12 years together. All of the adventures and growth, from a couple of kids to the parents of a beautiful little girl. Every image tells a story and for me, all of the stories that I get to share with my daughter, all of the memories of her Dad and all of the things they did together during the 2 and a half years she got to experience with him, is a gift.
So here I am now, 7 years later. Ditched the 9-5 job. Trusted the universe. Tried new things. Found love again. Married him. Had a beautiful baby boy who was born so fast and early my life once again felt totally turned upside down. Once again the universe had its own plans... and it's ok. Everything just keeps falling into place. I have two beautiful kiddos who keep me on my toes and test my patience at every opportunity and have taught me more about myself than I could have ever imagined knowing in my first 25 years if life. For the first time ever I feel proud to say I am a student. A student of life. Learning and growing and exploring the world through a new lens. I have become an alchemist. I create music and art and medicine. Using my hands to change something from one thing to another. Transforming natures little gifts. My husband, is the most amazing, humble, gentle human, full of curiosity and love. What we are creating together feels like a fairytale. Building and growing beyond my wildest dreams. My whole life I didn't know the secret... that WE hold the power to create the life we want. No one else can choose. No one can give you happiness. No one can take it away. We can have whatever we dream of. In fact, we already do. We have an amazing little team here. Our family. Our community. Always encouraging me to do the things that make me feel full. To listen to the calls from my heart. Filling my life with beautiful simple moments. Time in nature. Writing. Sharing. Healing. Growing. Encouraging me to love myself. To be vulnerable. So here I am, putting myself out there for the world to see. To share my story and the stories of those around me. Through my lens. From my perspective.
As I continue to move and navigate through this crazy life, I will continue to do the things that bring me joy every moment of every day. I will continue to navigate through curiosity and explore all of the little wonderous places around me with my family by my side and with my camera in hand. If you want me to come along on an adventure with you, if you want me to capture your beauty, your love, your vulnerability, hit me up! It would be my privilege.
With love and endless gratitude ~ Amanda
