Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Jean Rhodenbaugh.
Brittany Jean, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I always laugh to myself every time I hear this question because it has been an absolute whirlwind journey to where I am today. I started in the wedding industry as a wedding planner that was always captivated by photography. I had mentioned my interest in photography enough that my dad gifted me my first camera almost five years ago and encouraged me to learn. Learning a new craft was invigorating and truly sparked a passion in me that I couldn’t ignore. At the time I was working in the catering world, juggling photography on the side, never thinking this could possibly be any more than a creative outlet for me. Then, in late 2015 my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Him being my best friend, my encourager and the one person I talked to every day, this turned my world upside down and really made me think about how I wanted to spend my life. I can tell you one thing, that vision had nothing to do with sitting in an office with no windows, working for someone else’s dream.
About two months after my dad’s diagnosis, he became very ill, so without hesitation I quit that full-time job and temporarily moved back to Florida, where I’m originally from, to care for him. I’ll spare you the details of this, but after 3 weeks of caring for him, he was gone and my world was completely shattered. This stage in my life had changed me in so many ways and I knew that I couldn’t take that opportunity for granted. Knowing that my dad would have encouraged it, I went back to Texas and began pursuing wedding photography full time.
Now, three years into serving my clients and chasing my dream, I am so grateful for that very challenging, life-altering season of my life because although I lost my best friend, I gained everything that he could have ever wanted for me. To honor him, I legalized my business on his birthday to remind myself of the “why” behind what I do. This, in my opinion, is the most important aspect of any business – what drives you to serve? Mine will always be my dad.
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?
My best advice to young women starting their journey is to try your best not to be discouraged through your growing pains. There are inevitably a lot of “no’s” coming your way, but those “no’s” will lead to the best “yes’s” if you stay the course of your dreams and goals. Be consistent. Be proud of your story, what makes you unique, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and be vulnerable to rejection. Running a business is hard and you’ll need the thick skin!
What should we know about Brittany Jean Photography? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m a vibrant film wedding photographer who is drawn to storytelling through an artful, genuine approach to photography. I genuinely enjoy getting to know my clients in order to provide a unique and personal experience through developing a foundation of trust, professionalism, and guidance at every step. I believe in quality, which is why my preferred medium for my work is medium format film. Film retains detail and handles light so beautifully, in a way that I believe cannot be replicated by other mediums, which is what makes it so unique.
What sets me apart? The experience. A common denominator is all of my client reviews is “working with her is more than just working with a professional, it’s like working with a friend.” This means so much to me because my clients are comfortable around me, which allows me to capture their true personalities and makes the greatest difference in their overall experience.
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
I love listening to podcasts! They keep me motivated throughout my work day, give me ideas, and keep me from getting distracted, which is easy to do when you work from home. My personal favorite is the “Goal Digger Podcast” by Jenna Kutcher. She interviews incredible women in different industries, shares their stories, and is one of the most motivating, real women that I choose to listen to. I highly recommend it!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brittanyjeanphoto.com
- Email: info@brittanyjeanphoto.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/brittanyjeanphoto
Image Credit:
Brittany Jean Photography
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