Witchy Photo Dreaminess: Amanda Valentine - Curvy, Hairy, SF Bay Area Muse

I think I first saw Amanda Valentine’s work on Instagram (RIP my old IG accounts…but I just started using it again!) through either Gina Barbara or Lucky Drive Photos. Her work had that certain “je ne sais quoi ” that made me want—no, actually, NEED—to shoot with her. I immediately booked a shoot at her Phoenix studio back in 2018.

Amanda’s work is witchy, deep, sensual, and powerful. According to her website, Amanda sees her work as a way to foster community and contribute to healing magic. That shows in her photo work. Amanda has a way of capturing someone’s full, soulful depth while making them look glamorous as fuck. In addition to her photo work, she offers full moon rituals, cleansing bundles, and other magical ephemera. Amanda is one of those photographers who gives you so many genuine compliments that you end up feeling really good about yourself after the shoot.

Delphine in a see through red robe surrounded by plants. She is wearing a large crystal necklace. The scene is quite dramatic and old-hollywood style. She is reclining.

Delphine in a see through red robe with feathered edges surrounded by plants and other eclectic ephemera like a small skull. The scene is quite dramatic and old-hollywood style. She is kneeling on a chair looking wistfully into the distance.

In my first shoot with Amanda, I tried to think of looks that would resonate with her expressive and profound style. I wanted desperately to get a Catherine D’Lish robe for this first look, but it seemed silly to pay $300-$500 for a robe I would likely wear once. So, I ordered a more affordable and completely acceptable option. I wore my favorite Adina Reay black lingerie set underneath. The makeup and hair artist Stevie Rosalie totally got what I was going for and gave me a 1920s Hollywood glamour look.

Delphine is in an ornate green bra and panty set. She is kneeling on the ground in front of some mirrors and a candlabra.

Delphine is in an ornate green bra and panty set. She has her armpit raised so you can just see the hint of some armpit hair. She is gazing at herself in a mirror and also standing in front of a wall of mirrors with lit candles.

For the second look, I chose a slightly witchy green and black lingerie set from Playful Promises. I was so impressed by her wall of mirrors, which is one of her signature sets.

Shortly after our 2018 shoot, Amanda moved to Philly, and I didn’t get to shoot with her again until last year when she came to visit the Bay Area.

Brunette delphine is looking straight into the camera with her big blue eyes. She is wearing a feathered lingerie set and kneeling on the floor in front of some records.

Delphine in black feathered lingerie. She is facing a window so you can see her butt and she is staring seductively over her shoulder.

I had this feathered lingerie set (Felicity Hayward x Playful Promises) that I bought for a shoot that didn’t get to happen due to Covid. I had been hanging onto it for several years! I decided it was finally time, especially because in 2024 I was trying to curb my lingerie-buying habit. I wasn’t sure how it would go with the house Amanda would be shooting in, but it turned out to be perfection. In my mind the feathers were more 1920s, but it actually went perfectly with the 1970s style of the house. I was thrilled with the results!

Since I just shot with her in September, I’m not sure when we’ll work together again, but I sure hope it’s sooner than 6 years from now! That was way too long of a break…

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