AV Photography

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18X62J55gg/

Hey everybody, my application has been selected to participate in The People's Artist Contest 2026!

This is for a feature in Artforum Magazine, a display in The Art of Elysium , AND 25k!
Thank you for this opportunity, Johnny Depp !

Voting starts May 4th, and I need a few minutes of your time to cast a vote for me. Afterall. It is the People's choice!

I am up against some fantastic artists, so I need all the support you lovely friends and followers can give.

Vote for Amanda Vargo to win $25,000, appear in Artforum Magazine, and display their artwork at The Art of Elysium's Salon. One exceptional artist will win $25,000, appear in Artforum Magazine, and display their artwork at The Art of Elysium's Salon.

Y'all have heard many of my stories, but I don't often tell my own story of how I got here.

It goes a little something like this:

Amanda Vargo is a local artist and photographer based around Folly Beach / Charleston, South Carolina, known for her coastal and wildlife photography and her small business AV Photography.
🎨 What she does
Runs AV Photography, offering:
Coastal landscape photography
Wildlife (especially pelicans, dolphins, lighthouse scenes)
Family & pet portraits
Canvas artwork and home décor pieces

Her work often focuses on:
Folly Beach sunrises/sunsets
Morris Island Lighthouse
Ocean reflections and dramatic skies

📍 Local presence (Folly Beach & Charleston)
Regularly sells artwork at:
Folly Beach markets (like the Folly Art Village)
Charleston City Market, events and festivals. Featured in South Carolina Voyager magazine
Known in the local community as a “hidden gem” artist capturing Folly’s beauty

🌊 Background & story
Self-taught photographer who turned her passion into a business
Transitioned careers after a serious injury in Charleston’s 2015 flood
Built AV Photography through:
Street/market selling experience
Local networking and events
Has had work:
Exhibited in Grand Central Station (NYC) in 2019
Featured in local publications and calendars
Also in Revealed Art Gallery
in downtown Charleston.

💙 Community involvement
Volunteers with Surfers Healing Folly beach helping children with autism experience surfing. Also, the photographer for Coastal Family Vacation Foundation
Strong ties to the Folly Beach creative scene

🎯 What she’s known for
Bright, colorful coastal imagery
Unique angles and reflections
Capturing “golden hour” light on the beach
Blending art + local culture + storytelling

The sunset on the edge was mezmerizing this evening! Hope y'all saw that from sunset cay marina! Never know unless you go!

Crystal Reaser, glad it found it's way to you! Looks great!

Good morning!

If there is one message I could give to this world, right now, it would be this...
Take off your jacket when someone is cold.SPREAD LOVE.
Grab that lawn mower from the lady down the street.SPREAD LOVE.
Smile wherever you are, because that smile could be someone else's light.SPREAD LOVE.
Hold the door open just because you can.SPREAD LOVE.
Be a decent human and SPREAD LOVE.
If more of us could do this, at least it would make your world a little bit brighter. Maybe make someone else's day that much better.