Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Marlan.
Hi Amy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey to photography was far from conventional. At age 10, my Nana, an artist who viewed the world through both a creative lens and a paintbrush, gave me my first camera. Years later, I built a career as an art director, where I learned to tell visual stories that move people. That experience shapes every portrait session I create today.
My creative journey started with a degree in Graphic Communications and Design from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I loved the intersection of art and message — how the right layout, the right color, the right image could make someone feel something real. That passion led me to a career as an art director, where I spent years shaping visual narratives.
Somewhere along the way, I realized the images were always my favorite part. I didn’t just want to direct the photography — I wanted to be behind the camera. So I made the leap, and I haven’t looked back.
Over 20+ years of professional photography later, I have refined my craft through hundreds of sessions. From quiet, tender family moments to bold senior portraits that capture a teenager on the edge of something amazing, from the joyful chaos of a pet session to the polished confidence of a professional headshot — I have seen (and loved) it all.
The Central Coast is home. It is so diverse with the rolling hills, ocean, and vineyards – San Luis Obispo County is one of the most beautiful places in the world to create portraits. The community here is like no other.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road. One of the biggest struggles was when Covid hit and my business was not allowed to operate. I lost 55% of my business in the first 3 months of the shutdown. I was a single mom at the time with kids in high school and it was devastating and very scary. After that I decided to move out of wedding photography and become a full service studio. Serving clients through out their photography journey and delivering final artwork for their walls that will last forever, instead of digital files they needed to store, sort through and figure out how to print. Transitioning away from weddings, which was a tremendous 15 year stint, allows me to focus on and serve my portrait clientele at the highest level.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
This is not just a photo session. It is a fully guided, creative experience designed around you from the very first phone call to the moment your finished artwork is hanging on your wall. With 20+ years of experience and a background as an art director, I bring a level of creative direction and personal attention that transforms portraits into artwork you will treasure for generations.
I created this experience because I believe every person deserves to feel seen, celebrated, and beautifully represented. Whether you are booking a session for your family, your high school senior, your beloved pet, or your business brand, every step is thoughtfully planned to make the process easy, enjoyable, and absolutely worth your investment.
Here is exactly what you can expect when you work with me.
The Amy Marlan Experience
Full creative direction from an experienced art director and portrait photographer
Personalized styling guide, location scouting, and session planning
Guided posing and direction so you look and feel amazing
In-studio reveal appointment with professional design consultation
Custom wall art, heirloom albums, and professional installation — your portraits become artwork you see and love every day
What sets me apart? Time and again my clients tell me how the photos and experience they received when working with me is above anything else they have ever experienced. In the high school senior portrait market I am known for ultra creative sessions that tell the story of each senior as their unique selves. Many high school students share with me that they have never liked portraits of themselves in the past, until these.
Another thing that sets me apart is that I deliver final artwork ready to hang in the home of my clients. We even select the exact walls and sizes during their ordering meeting. In a world of digital overload, clients are so grateful for the delivery of physical artwork like framed pieces for their walls and custom designer albums for their shelves. they can touch and see each day that will last a lifetime and not just a link to photos that live on a cloud they have to hunt for and hope are there in the future.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think risk taking is a major part of being an entrepreneur. I am fairly conservative, but the major risk I took was staying in business after the pandemic and not going back into corporate work, being a single mom. I bet on myself. I invested in a business mentor, cried, panicked, laughed and did all of the things I was learning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amymarlan.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/amy_marlan_photography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyMarlanPhotography
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-marlan-b10b729/
