Daily Inspiration: Meet Brittany Rowe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Rowe.

Hi Brittany, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers. 
I live in Raleigh (where I was born and raised) with my husband and three boys. I was in the corporate world for over 12 years. Although I loved my past roles, they lacked any creative outlets. I’ve always loved photography, but never knew how much until the birth of my first son. I bought my first (extremely cheap) camera and photographed his every move. I remember sitting in line at my son’s preschool pickup and randomly thought to myself, “What if I could turn this into an actual business?” Raleigh was already an area saturated with photographers, “who would hire me?” After a push from one of my best friends, I decided to go all in and see if I could make this business work. I invested a lot of time learning my camera and teaching myself the basics of photography.  I started with  free portfolio sessions, then eventually working my way to paid sessions. Between return clients and referrals, my business started to grow quickly. Leaving a salaried position to start a business from scratch was like stepping into the unknown. However, I quickly realized the difference between waking up in the morning feeling unfulfilled with your work vs. loving what you do.

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?
Photography, like any creative pursuit, often involves its share of challenges and struggles. I have definitely encountered my fair share along the way.

– Competition: The field of photography is highly competitive, and Raleigh was already oversaturated with photographers when I started. I had to try and stand out in a crowded space, find a unique style, and get noticed among a sea of talent.

– Self-doubt: Like any art form, self-doubt and imposter syndrome can start to set in. At times, I found myself questioning my abilities and constantly comparing myself to others.  This started to affect my creative process over time.

– Balancing Passion with Business: For those aiming to make a living from photography, balancing the passion for the art with the demands of running a business can be a significant challenge. I had to learn how to say no when there was too much on my plate to avoid burnout.

– Finding a Niche: Identifying a specific niche or style within photography can take time. It requires experimentation and exploration to find what resonates best with your vision and interests. It took me a while to realize which areas of photography I wanted to focus on.

– Work-Life Balance: Photography often involves irregular schedules, long hours, and a lot of time spent editing or managing business aspects. I will be honest; I still struggle with this one from week to week. I had to learn how to manage my time efficiently so that I could get a lot of work accomplished during specific time slots throughout the day.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in lifestyle family, maternity, and newborn photography. I fell in love with this type of photography from the very beginning because it allows me capture candid and authentic moments of people in real-life situations and environments. I love nothing more than capturing moments that narrate a story and convey genuine emotion. Very rarely will I ever ask you to remain still, in a posed position, with everyone looking at me.  Years from now when you are looking back at your pictures I want them to tell a story about the specific season of life you were in.

A few things that set me apart from others would be…

My approach to each session: I want your session to look and feel completely different than the one I did the day before. Nothing should feel cookie-cutter. I try to get an idea of the look and feel you want to achieve in your session and do my best to make that happen.

Editing style: This one took a while to perfect, but I realized over time that I love a minimalist/desaturated look. I also love grain, which can give images a film/vintage vibe. Editing style is something that will always be evolving.

Creativity and Innovation: Being able to think outside the box and experiment with unconventional techniques or perspectives.  Many already know, I would stand on my head if need be to get that perfect shot.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
Be patient and persistent: Photography is a journey that takes time. Don’t get discouraged by initial failures. Keep learning, practicing, and pushing yourself to improve.

Develop your style: Experimentation will help you find your unique style in photography. It’s okay to be inspired by others, but strive to develop a signature style that sets your work apart.

Invest in education and mentorships: Always continue to learn and grow. Mentorships can be invaluable when you are looking to expand your skill set.

Understand post-processing: Familiarize yourself with basic editing software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop. Editing can enhance your photos, but it’s important not to rely solely on editing to fix poor-quality images. Get it right in camera first.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.brittanyrowephotography.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/brittanyrowephotography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/brittanyrowephotography
• Other: https://g.page/r/CbzHAXsvxg8iEAE/review