Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Amber Brannen

Amber Brannen shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Amber, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
I think the most common misconception about photography is that “anyone can hold a camera and snap some pictures”. That is the furthest thing from the truth. SO much knowledge and artistic skill goes into photography. You have to understand light, how it works, how it affects your subject and how it hits your lens. You have to know how to pose authentically to get the most flattering images of your clients. You have to know how to edit those photos and deliver them professionally. And most importantly, you have to know how to build client and vendor relationships and run a business. Not everyone who picks up a professional camera is a professional.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Amber Brannen and I am the owner of Amber Brannen Photography. I am a wedding and portrait photographer, specializing in couples, family, and maternity. What makes me stand out has to be the way I interact with my couples. I like to laugh… a lot. I am loud, goofy, and I like to joke around and quote random sitcoms, but what I’ve learned is how to use this to make my couples comfortable, not just with me, but in front of the camera! I like to reflect my own joy, both in life and photography, into my couples and therefore, into my images.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I think a lot of people saw me clearly before I could really see myself, especially my family. But if I really sit back and reflect, I would say my husband. He has known me since I was 19, way before I started this business or really learned anything about life. He believed in me from the very first image I took. He built me up and pushed me to become the person I am today and I truly believe I would not be here without him.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have been several times in my journey that I have felt like giving up. Imposter syndrome, especially when you start a business in an overly saturated industry, is very real and can be hard to overcome. There are many times I doubt my skills, where I compare myself and my business to others, and when the bookings slow down or stop altogether, it can be tough to not lose faith.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
I would say yes and no. In public, I am outspoken, talk to everyone, push my comfort zone, and appear to be a total extrovert. In my private life, I feel like I am some of these things, but overall, I am more reserved. If you ask anyone who knows me, I prefer to spend my free time at home, reading or watching a good movie. I rarely talk to people I don’t know outside of my “public” life and prefer the quiet.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would immediately stop worrying about every little thing. I would stop stressing about the things I cannot control, and spend my time and energy on the things in life that I love and enjoy, and make memories that will outlive me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amberbrannenphotography.com
• Instagram: @amberbrannenphotography
• Facebook: @amberbrannenphotography