Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Bradshaw.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Andrea. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
As long as I can remember, I have always loved taking pictures. From disposable cameras to digital ones, I’ve enjoyed photography practically my whole life.
When I graduated from college in 2011, I began my career as an educator. During this time, I actually admitted to my husband Brett and a few friends that I had a dream of learning photography and possibly even being a photographer one day. Much to my surprise, my husband bought me my first DSLR camera for my 25th birthday. To say, I was in shock is an understatement. I was thrilled, terrified, excited, nervous – all these things and more.
I immediately started learning everything I could by reading my manual, watching videos, and taking lessons. I spent almost every free moment on weekends practicing and dragging my poor husband out to be my model for different locations. I look back at these pictures now and laugh because they are pretty terrible. But everyone has to start somewhere.
After a few years of practice and building up a client base, I took a risk and quit my teaching job in the spring of 2016 to pursue photography full-time. I was terrified that I’d fail but knew I had to at least try.
God has been so faithful to me in my journey in life. Photography is no exception to this. As I prayed through this decision, I honestly believed God was telling me to quit my job and trust Him. There was no promise that I’d be successful, make money, or even book a single session – but there was the realization that I trusted too much in myself and needed to place my trust in God. So, I did. And it’s been a blast! Exhausting? Yes. But worth it? Absolutely!
Great, 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?
When I started my business, I quickly realized that one of the hardest things for me to overcome was the fear of failure. In photography, it’s easy to find your identity in whether or not you book clients and in what you produce. As a Christian, I believe my identity is fixed. It’s not that I’m a photographer, a wife, a mom – it’s in the fact that I am redeemed by the Lord as His daughter. Knowing who I am has helped me face my fear of failure head-on. If I’m not defined by being a photographer or my work, then I can do my work with joy and excellence and live without constant anxiety and fear.
There are also times when I’ve questioned if I should quit. It can be difficult financially when work levels vary from month to month. I’ve had to schedule reshoots due to fussy babies, terrible weather, and equipment malfunctions. All these things can be discouraging and hard, but they are part of it. Not everything goes as planned in life, but I choose to look at these bumps as opportunities for growth. Growth isn’t easy and it certainly isn’t painless, but it’s worth it and is essential in any area of life.
If I were to advise young women starting their journey, I would say the following: Know who you are. Be confident in your work. Say no to things that aren’t the right fit. See the worth in your work. Be yourself – don’t try to be someone else. Stick to the course when things get tough. Find a community of people who will encourage you, help you in your journey, and remind you of truth. Create boundaries in your life that are healthy. Sleep! And at the end of the day, if things don’t go as planned, remember that you are NOT a failure. Lastly and most importantly, remember that you are not defined by your work. It can be an expression of your creativity and the way you see the world, but it is not who you are as a person. Let your work flow from your heart, but don’t let it run or rule your heart.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m a light and airy photographer specializing in family, maternity, newborn, and high school senior photography. My style is a combination of posed and candid shots. There is nothing I enjoy more than capturing genuine love and joy. Whether it be the joy of anticipation in a maternity session, the complete exhaustion, and love of having a newborn, the beauty of a family being together, or the excitement of graduating high school, I seek to take authentic photos that preserve moments forever.
I believe that there is so much beauty in what we often see as ordinary. A parent playing with a child. A hug. A laugh. Tiny fingers and toes of a newborn. All these are evidence of love and grace. All these are things we enjoy for a moment. For me, photography is a means of remembering life. We cannot freeze time, but photographs serve as reminders of different seasons in life that can be enjoyed, cherished, giggled over, and preserved for years to come.
During a session, you’ll often find me smiling behind the camera as I completely gush over what I’m capturing in front of me. You’ll probably hear some lame jokes and see me acting like a fool to make a child smile. You’ll see families playing together and snuggling up together. And hopefully, you’ll see a lot of joy.
Though I love all the types of sessions I offer, I have a particular love for lifestyle newborn sessions. These sessions get me every time! There is something about stepping into this exciting, vulnerable season for a family that I just adore. I believe that life is inherently beautiful and valuable, so capturing newborns is always an honor for me. It is in these sessions that my heart is stirred the most by the amazing creativity of God. I have photographed many babies and all are completely unique and special. It’s truly amazing!
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
It seems to me that women are particularly well positioned for entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs creatively reimagine challenges as opportunities. As a mother of a toddler, photography is a way to use my artistic gifts to serve others and remain flexible to care for my family. A friend of mine started a non-toxic makeup company, Honey & Vinegar, after experiencing great frustration when she herself sought out non-toxic makeup. She couldn’t find quality, affordable products so she decided to put in the extensive labor to do something about it. And it’s amazing! We all have unique gifts and abilities that can be a way of service to others, and I believe that is the essence of work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.andreabradshawphoto.com
- Email: andrea@andreabradshawphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreabradshawphoto/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/andreabradshawphotography
Image Credit:
Andrea Bradshaw Photography
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