Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad Poirier.
Hi Brad, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been the guy behind the camera, even before I knew what the word “portraiture” meant. For years, I was the friend who showed up to every cookout or family event with a camera, partly because I loved documenting life and partly because I absolutely hated being in photos myself. I never felt photogenic, I always thought I looked goofy, and I assumed that was just my default setting.
Turns out… it wasn’t.
Once I started paying attention to posing, styling, lighting, and the psychology behind what makes someone feel confident in front of a lens, everything changed. Not just for me, but for everyone who stepped into my frame. That shift is what launched Brad Poirier Photography.
What started small — a couple of sessions here and there, mostly word-of-mouth — has grown into a full service portrait studio in New Bern where I photograph families, maternity, headshots, boudoir, branding, and the legacy moments people want documented with intention. I don’t do the “say cheese” thing. I guide people into looking like the best version of themselves, the one they actually recognize and feel proud of.
Today, I work with clients all over Eastern North Carolina who want more than a quick photo. They want an experience — something fun, relaxed, confidence-boosting, and rooted in storytelling. And honestly, that’s what fuels me. Photography is my way of giving people the same transformation I experienced: going from camera-shy to camera-confident, and actually loving the way you’re seen.
Alright, 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?
Smooth road? Ha. No. More like a scenic route with potholes, construction zones, and a few wrong turns where the GPS said “recalculating” more than I’d like to admit.
One of the biggest challenges early on was confidence — not just helping clients feel confident, but getting confident in myself as a business owner. Photography wasn’t my first career, so shifting into this world meant learning everything at once: posing, lighting, editing, pricing, marketing, branding, taxes, etc.
Another struggle was figuring out how to position myself in a small town where a lot of people are used to “someone with a camera” instead of a full portrait experience. It took time to educate people that what I do isn’t just taking pictures — it’s guiding, styling, posing, lighting, and building an environment that helps people actually see themselves differently.
And then there were the internal challenges: imposter syndrome, overthinking, trying to do everything myself, wondering if anyone would even care about the style of work I wanted to create. Spoiler: they did. But it took pushing through a lot of trial and error to trust that.
The good news? Every challenge sharpened the business. Every struggle made the experience I offer better. And the road may not have been smooth, but it absolutely led me exactly where I’m supposed to be.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a portrait photographer based in New Bern, North Carolina, and what I offer is a true full-service experience — not just “show up and smile.” My clients get an in-home wardrobe consultation, professional hair and makeup, a guided photo session with posing direction and expert lighting, an in-person gallery reveal, custom album design, and even wall-art mockups and installation. From start to finish, I take care of the details so they can actually enjoy the experience instead of stressing about it.
I specialize in portraits with intention — headshots, branding, families, maternity, boudoir, and legacy images that feel elevated, confident, and timeless. My style is clean, bold, and guided. No awkward guessing, no “what do I do with my hands” moments. I coach every expression, posture, angle, and detail so my clients look like the version of themselves they actually recognize and love.
What I’m most proud of is the confidence shift I get to witness. There’s always this moment where someone sees a photo on the back of the camera and their whole energy changes. Their shoulders drop, they breathe differently, and you can literally see them thinking, “Wait… that’s me?” That’s the moment I work for.
What sets me apart isn’t just the photography — it’s the experience. Most people have never had someone walk them through the entire journey, from what to wear to how to stand to how their portraits will look on their walls. I’m not just taking photos. I’m creating images people are proud to display for a lifetime, and an experience that makes them feel seen, celebrated, and confident every step of the way.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Books:
Profit First was a game changer. It taught me how to put money into the right buckets so the business actually shows a real profit instead of “I swear it’s somewhere in there.” StoryBrand by Donald Miller is another favorite — it completely changed how I approach messaging, branding, and communicating with clients. And on the personal side, The 7 Primal Questions by Mike Foster has been huge. It’s like discovering the reason one layer underneath the love languages — the stuff that drives why people act the way they act. It’s been helpful both in life and in understanding clients better.
Podcasts:
My playlist is all over the place. One day I’m laughing through SmartLess, the next I’m listening to New Heights with the Kelce brothers, and somewhere in between I’m hunting for new portrait photography podcasts to keep sharpening my craft. I like that mix of comedy, sports, and creative education — it keeps my brain balanced.
Apps:
Pinterest might be one of my favorite creative tools on the planet. I use it constantly for posing inspiration, styling ideas, lighting concepts — all of it. And right now, on the tech side, I’m actually developing an app for photographers that acts like an interactive pose checklist. It lets you organize poses with visual examples and AI-generated prompts so you never blank mid-session. As someone with about eight million ideas and a short memory during a shoot… it’s been a lifesaver.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bradpoirierphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bradpoirierphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bradpoirierphotography
