Conversations with Brandon Huggins

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Huggins.

Brandon, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey with photography started as something I genuinely enjoyed, but over time it became much bigger than just taking pictures. I’ve always been drawn to creativity and the way a photograph can capture a feeling, a moment, or even tell a story without saying a word.

I attended Tennessee State University from 2020–2024, and a lot of my growth as a photographer happened during that time. Being around so many different people, events, organizations, and creative environments gave me opportunities to constantly practice, experiment, and figure out what kind of photographer I wanted to become. I started building my confidence, learning my style, and understanding that photography could be more than a hobby — it could be a business and a way for me to create opportunities for myself.

After graduating, I continued pushing myself and building my brand, Shot By Brando, while expanding my work in Atlanta and Nashville. Today, I photograph everything from graduations and birthdays to portraits, branding, content, and more. What started with me simply wanting to create good images has turned into me building a business around my creativity and being able to help other people bring their own visions to life.

I’m still growing and learning every day, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Photography has taught me a lot about consistency, confidence, creativity, and believing in myself even when I couldn’t see exactly where the journey was going. I’m excited about where I’m headed next and continuing to turn Shot By Brando into something that represents not only my work, but my story and the people I’ve been able to impact along the way.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to build a business while also figuring things out for myself. There were times when I questioned whether photography could really become something bigger for me, especially when bookings were slow or I felt like I wasn’t progressing as quickly as I wanted to.

Another challenge has been learning everything that comes with being a photographer and business owner — not just taking pictures, but marketing myself, finding clients, managing finances, communicating with people, staying consistent, and constantly improving my craft. There’s a lot that happens behind the scenes that people don’t always see.

I’ve also had to learn not to compare my journey to other photographers. Social media can make it seem like everyone else is ahead, but I’ve realized that growth doesn’t happen on the same timeline for everyone. Those challenges have honestly made me more disciplined and confident in myself.

Looking back, I’m grateful for the difficult moments because they forced me to become more intentional about what I want and how I want to build my brand. I’m still learning, but I’ve learned to embrace the process instead of expecting everything to happen overnight.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a photographer and the owner of Shot By Brando, specializing in portraits, graduations, birthdays, branding, and creative photography. I’m most proud of turning my passion for photography into a business and continuing to grow as an artist.

What sets me apart is my ability to take an idea and turn it into a complete visual concept. I’m not just focused on taking a good picture—I want every image to have a purpose, tell a story, and feel unique to the person I’m creating for.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck has definitely played a role in my journey, but I believe preparation has allowed me to take advantage of the opportunities that came my way. Some opportunities came unexpectedly, but I was ready to make the most of them. At the same time, I’ve had setbacks that taught me not to rely on luck alone. I’ve learned that consistency, faith, and putting myself out there are what create more opportunities.

Pricing:

• Creative/conceptual sessions: Starting at $300
• Branding & content sessions: Custom pricing based on the project
• Graduation sessions: Starting at $275

Contact Info:

• Website: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=36030895
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/b.huggins333?igsi=MXh2b2MxOXZ6eTM5ag==