Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Brannen.
Hi Amber, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My photography journey started in 2016. My family all pitched in and got me my first camera for my 21st birthday. I started practicing with nature and animals, then I slowly started photographing family and friends. In 2017, one of my sorority sisters (who was also a photographer) asked me to help her shoot a wedding, and I agreed, of course. The moment I stepped into the venue, I instantly fell in love with the idea of being a wedding photographer. I started to promote some of my photos that I took at that wedding, and I finally booked my first solo wedding in the beginning of 2018 for a good friend of mine. Word of mouth and my incredibly supportive sorority sisters got my business up and running, every year being better than the last. I went from shooting primarily families and seniors to almost exclusively photographing couples and weddings!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think anyone truly has a “smooth” road when it comes to having your own business, and I am certainly no exception. In the beginning, I faced a lot of self-doubt when it came to my abilities. I was my own worst critic, especially when it came to comparing myself to other photographers. I still face this sometimes. I went through many “identity crises” when it came to finding my style of editing, especially as the trending style became more rich and bold and mine was becoming more true to life and colorful. It seemed like I was always getting passed up because of how I edit, and it is very discouraging sometimes. Another huge struggle for me lately has been balancing work life and family life. In the past seven years of doing photography, I have graduated college, gotten married, and had two babies, so life is way more crazy and busy than it was when I first started my photography journey. I also work full-time at a day job, so finding the time for sessions, editing, and taking care of my clients can be hard to juggle some days.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a wedding and portrait photographer specializing in weddings, engagements, families, and maternity. I am known for my more “ethereal” and “bright and colorful” imagery. When you book with me, you’re not just getting great photos; you’re getting someone who is truly rooting for you. I am known as “the girl that laughs a lot” and I love bringing that joy to my sessions. I want my clients to laugh, feel comfortable, and truly see how beautiful they are through my lens! I pride myself on making picture-taking less awkward and more enjoyable, and love when my clients walk away with a smile on their faces!
I am proud of a lot of things when it comes to my photography career, but I think the biggest one is I was recently reached out to by a popular wedding magazine here in Atlanta that wants to publish one of my styled shoots that I shot in July. I worked so hard on this shoot and to see my beautiful hard work go in a magazine will be a real “full circle” moment for me! It is something that I never dreamed would happen to me, but here we are!
Another thing I am super proud of is my client experience. I try so hard to get to know my clients, make them feel comfortable, let them get to know me a little bit, and provide them with not just images that they’ll treasure but a friend. I like to be able to walk into a venue on a wedding day, be able to give the bride a hug and tell her how beautiful she looks, and have my couple be comfortable with me on the best day of their lives! What could be better?
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is my family, especially my two kids. Everything I do revolves around them: to provide for them, to make them happy, to make them proud of me. They are the driving force that keeps me going on the hard days.
Pricing:
- Portrait sessions are $350
- Wedding photography starts at $3,400
Contact Info:
- Website: amberbrannenphotography.com
- Instagram: @amberbrannenphotography
- Facebook: facebook.com/amberbrannenphotography
