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Amanda Jane Summons

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#52Ladies: Carly

November 26, 2017

Inspired by International Women’s Day, I want to photograph 52 ladies, one for each week, from my life and recommended to me. To me, the most inspiring women in my life are my friends and family.

They are the ones who push me to go further and pick me up when I’m down. I couldn’t do anything without my girl gang. I want to empower my ladies to see themselves how I see them. Follow along on Instagram for inspiring quotes and shoutouts to other amazing women kicking butt.

Carly and I met during an incredible monumental period in our lives – right after the end of our long term relationships while on a yoga retreat in Sri Lanka.  Being able to go through that life-changing experience with someone who was going through something similar was incredibly powerful. Upon our return to Australia, it was the best being able to swap break up meme after meme and commiserate the different “break-up” milestones. Trust me, there are definitely turning points in recovery. I knew when I started this project I wanted to include Carly because of our shared love of empowering ourselves. Carly has taken the most active participant in this project of any other ladies included so far because not only did she know exactly what kind of photo she wanted (she requested an image of her conquering life from on top of a rock), but she also answered the most questions. We came up with the idea of going up Mount Ainslie so she could metaphorically conquer Canberra!!! You can just spot the Telstra Tower in the distance. I couldn’t bare to cut any of her answers so here they are in all their glory.

Thanks Carly for coming into my life when I needed it most. I admire you so much!

Which three guests would you like to invite to a dinner party (dead or alive, fictional or real)?

Michael Jackson, Obama and Amelia Earhart

What would be your signature dish you’d make them?

Lasagne! Even my mum wants me to make my lasagne when I visit

What would be the title of your autobiography?

Hmm… “She thought she could”?

What would you choose as your Mr. Men/Little Miss character to describe your personality? 

I was given the ‘Mr Forgetful’ book as a gift, in Facebook quizzes I get ‘Little Miss Busy’, but I more relate to ‘Little Miss Stubborn’ or ‘Little Miss Tidy’. If I could make one up it would be ‘Little Miss Trying’, or perhaps you can tell that I am ‘Little Miss Indecisive!’.

If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring?

Toothbrush, cello, and my medication haha

If you were to write a self-help book, what would the topic be?

Resilience!

If you were an animal what would you be? 

I love cats, and the idea of lazing about in the sun and getting head scratches sounds delightful, although I think I would get bored and probably kill a lot of native wildlife for a challenge, so best I stay human 😊

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?

Emma Stone please!

If you could be anyone from any time period who would it be and why?

This is a tough question, I think women today have it much better than they did so I wouldn’t want to back in time. I try not to wish to be anyone other than the best version of me. Wishing to be someone else is tied to jealousy, unhappiness and possibly ingratitude, it also assumes that others have everything you want, when in reality I’m sure they don’t.

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see?

Perhaps the falling of the Berlin Wall, and although it’s not yet history, I would like to see gays marry in Australia. (Carly actually answered this question well before the postal vote so we are getting closer!!!)

How do you define success?

I used to think success was about the big things: a top job, large salary, big house etc. Then I realised it has a lot to do with the greater things, like happiness, health, and a sense of belonging. Personally, I feel successful when I achieve the things I said I would – especially despite setbacks – but I’m starting to realise now that success is keeping yourself healthy and happy and staying true to yourself, and that might mean knowing when to quit (I’m still figuring this out!)

What are your three most overused words/phrases?

 I don’t think I verbally articulate myself very well, so I say “do you know what I mean?” a lot!

If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Steak, chips and red wine.. Or anything my Baba and Dedo make.

What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?

I have realised that sometimes it doesn’t matter that you do the right things and do them well, sometimes things don’t work regardless; sometimes hard work doesn’t meet luck or opportunity (or meet the right team player). But from this I have learned to be kind to myself and enjoy the process regardless of the outcome – there is always a lesson to be learned.

What is the one thing you cannot resist?

Singing to a good song. And I’m a terrible singer!

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#52Ladies: Daniela

October 31, 2017

Inspired by International Women’s Day, I want to photograph 52 ladies, one for each week, from my life and recommended to me. To me, the most inspiring women in my life are my friends and family.

They are the ones who push me to go further and pick me up when I’m down. I couldn’t do anything without my girl gang. I want to empower my ladies to see themselves how I see them. Follow along on Instagram for inspiring quotes and shoutouts to other amazing women kicking butt.

Daniela and I met 13 years ago at high school in Bangkok, Thailand. My early memories of her include International Day at school where she hung out with the Aussies (she’s Lebanese/Australian and fluent in french) and we taught her Aussie slang, her endless love of chocolate, the millions of photos we took in her bedroom on her 15th birthday and the best hugs ever. We’ve gotten slack in the last few years but when she first moved to Australia after school, we caught up so much and made it to each other’s 21sts and even made speeches. Although, I say slack but we have briefly caught up this year twice – once even in a city we both don’t live in 😂 Niela is one of the bubbliest people I know and is such a bright ray of sunshine. I feel so lucky to call her one of my friends still to this day. I’m so proud of you following your research dream of getting your PhD. This photo was taken in fact when she was in town to present at a massage conference. You’re smashing it! You’reight and brilliant that stars wish they could sparkle like you do haha! Or the lights in this photo at the Hamlet! Love you gorgeous lady and thanks for being part of my project.

What is your personal mantra now?
“Carpe Diem”

What brings you happiness?
I find travelling exhilarating. I just came back from an amazing six-week trip where I was able to meet new people, old high-school friends and family.

How would you like the men in your life to empower you?
I have been fortunate that the men in my life have always supported me, respected my wishes and pushed me to be a better version of myself.

If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
My initial thought was chocolate? but that’s not a meal right…or could it be?

What would you choose as your Mr. Men/Little Miss character to describe your personality? 
Little Miss Giggles!!!

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The world is your oyster – you can do whatever you want and go wherever you want. Let nothing stop you.

 

 

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#52Ladies Project: Steph

October 26, 2017

Inspired by International Women’s Day, I want to photograph 52 ladies, one for each week, from my life and recommended to me. To me, the most inspiring women in my life are my friends and family.

They are the ones who push me to go further and pick me up when I’m down. I couldn’t do anything without my girl gang. I want to empower my ladies to see themselves how I see them. Follow along on Instagram for inspiring quotes and shoutouts to other amazing women kicking butt.

Steph and I formed a close bond being the only designers in our corporate workplace. I loved bouncing ideas with her and she was always quick to lend a creative hand when I was stuck. She is such a creative soul and is destined for great things. Age really knows no boundary in our friendship and despite the totally different paths that lend us to design, we made a really great support system for each other at our former workplace. We have both moved on now and I am eagerly watching her path to success. Steph, I can’t wait for our next Pho date 😉

If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring?
An endless supply of hummus, a jalapeño plant, and my notepad

If you were to write a self-help book, what would the topic be?
The importance of life balance when seeking happiness

If you were an animal what would you be?
Well that’s an easy one.. A French bulldog!

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?
Gigi Hadid

What are your three most overused words/phrases?

  1. She’ll be right
  2. 2. Bloody hell
  3. 3. Life’s too short

If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pho 😉

What places have you lived in?
Canberra, Aix-en-Provence, and Townsville

What is your favourite thing to do in Canberra?
Definitely eat!

You’re happiest when?
I’m with friends, I’m eating, I’m drinking wine.. the list goes on

Which one would you want most – flying cars, robot housekeepers, or moon cities?
Flying cars!

Would you rather be a tiny elephant or a giant hamster?
Tiny elephant

What did you want to be when growing up?
A dentist! Glad that one fell through haha

What is on your bucket list?
Going to Cuba, learning guitar, living overseas

What is the first thing you would buy if you won the lottery?
A holiday!

What one food do you wish had zero calories?
Doughnuts

What TV show/movie are you ashamed to admit you love?
Australia’s Cheapest Weddings.. I literally have the worst taste in crappy TV!

What book did you read last?
Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari

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review

5 star review  Amanda is an amazing photographer. Her ability to capture an individual or couple and bring life to their photos is really special. I had some professional shots done by her and she made me look and feel confident and authentic. Couldn't recommend her more!

thumb Katharine Stanley
7/28/2020

About

I am a passionate photographer, a creative graphic designer and a massive fan of sharing everyone’s but especially women’s stories.

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