Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianna Welborn.
Brianna, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up in rural Georgia, there was never really much to do. When I was eight years old, I was given my first point-and-shoot camera. I quickly fell in love with taking pictures of everything I could capture. When I was fourteen I was given my first Canon DSLR and that was when it truly began, my passion for photography.
After starting my sophomore year of high school as a homeschooler, the opportunity surfaced to dual-enroll and begin working towards an Associate’s Degree in Photography at North Georgia Technical College. I knew that if I was going to take college classes then I wanted to work towards something that mattered to me. I was only fifteen when I started the program and even my instructors, Jim Loring and Jeff Gulle, were wary of someone so young being in their classes, but welcomed me. At fifteen, it was difficult, but not impossible. It was the best learning experience I could have hoped for. They taught me a lot about the art and how to create a business for myself. During my time at North Georgia Technical College, my photography bloomed. From the start to the end, you can see how I developed my skill. I acquired my degree with honors as of July 2017 at the age of seventeen.
By August 2017, I had moved to Boston to attend Emerson College. I wanted to continue my education while keeping a small business on the side. Although I haven’t been here long, the city has become my home. I have met people who appreciate the same things as I do and get to do what I love: photography.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle was and is getting people to accept my age as a photographer and businesswoman. It’s difficult to be eighteen, even with a solid portfolio, and have people respect me. Many clients think my youth makes me inexperienced. They try to haggle my prices down, force me to shoot longer than they pay for, or put me in strange positions. They don’t understand that I have the proper skills and education to take quality shots and run my own business, even though I have the same education as the classmates I graduated with. I’m just a few years younger.
briannawelborn.com – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
As many times as I’m told to focus solely on one area of photography, I never really listen.
I specialize in portrait photography. I love capturing someone’s essence within a photo. That’s why my tagline is, “Let me make you feel beautiful.” When shooting a client, my one true goal is to make them feel their own beauty when they see the photos. I want them to see a side of themselves they don’t usually see. I like to say, “If I’m not making my subject feel beautiful then I’m not only failing them, but myself.” And it’s true. It’s what I’m known for.
I also do some work in commercial photography. I have shot wine, food, jewelry, and others for various businesses. Whenever people ask, I can’t say no. It’s a lot of fun because it gives me a chance to use the technical side of photography that doesn’t come up as often in portraiture.
Lastly, I love taking photos of landscapes. When the earth is looking extra beautiful, I can’t help but pull out my camera. Sometimes, an artist friend of mine buys these shots and turns them into paintings. One of the best things that comes out of my work is seeing it inspire someone else’s.
When I started my photography business, I turned a hobby into a career. I take it my photography seriously, but I can honestly say it’s a passion, not a job. It’s something I love to do.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Every time I’m asked to do a photoshoot, I feel prouder because someone is asking me to capture a moment in their lives. Nothing beats that. But there’s definitely not one moment that has been the proudest.
Contact Info:
- Website: briannawelborn.com
- Email: bdwelborn@live.com
- Instagram: briannawelborn
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