Mezzo-soprano Amanda Lynn Bottoms is currently making her Opera Philadelphia debut as Smeraldina in The Love for Three Oranges, but she is also a photographer, and shared some of her behind-the-scenes photos with us. 

"Inspired by my older sister Julia's reference photography and her painted portraits/still lives, I always wanted to be a part of the visual arts, simply as a lifetime novice, and well before I became a singer! 

Photography was my perfect avenue into the visual world and informs much of my operatic work today as well as being a way to connect with my community.

I've been an avid photographer for some years now but finally invested in the necessary equipment to take memorable, professional photos of my niece and mother, nature (lovely cows in particular) along with affordable headshots for my friends.

I love to give behind the scenes looks at the intricacy of costumes that may otherwise be lost on a vast stage and the true personalities of the performers (sometimes we have to play very bad people but we're actually super jolly off stage)."