Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Braly.
Jennifer, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I got my start in photography back when I was a kid. My grandfather was a hobbyist and would allow me watch him develop pictures in his darkroom. The process of a piece of blank paper turning into a photograph seemed like magic! He noticed my interest in photography and gifted me my very first camera when I was teenager.
Well, fast forward, a few years to when I marry my best friend and have my four messy but wonderful children. My children’s ages now are 10,11,13, and 17 but when I brought my youngest home from the hospital I had a newborn, a one-year-old, a two-year-old and a seven-year-old. I was in survival mode. That was when I worked from home selling computer supplies. This job paid the bills and allowed me to stay home with my four babies but it was boring. Photography then was my escape.
The thought of becoming a professional never crossed my mind. One day my husband came home with the horrible news that he was laid off from his maintenance position at a private school. Matt, my husband, also had a history with photography, so after tons of talking and praying he decided he wanted to try becoming a professional portrait photographer. I would go with him to his portrait sessions and was quickly falling in love with portrait photography.
Matt was finding out that a career as a portrait photographer wasn’t for him and he found a position at the same school district my kids go to, which has been such a blessing! My kids love seeing dad all the time! I took over Braly Studios, even though my knowledge of portrait photography was pretty slim I jumped in feet first ready to work. I pushed, worked, trained, and hustled. Figuring out the art and the business of portrait photography. It did not take me long to find out that I love photographing children and families. It also didn’t take me long to find out that I wanted to give my clients the boutique experience because I felt like this was the best way to serve my clients. Now I have my very own thriving boutique portrait studio in Haslet.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It was mostly a smooth road. I have been blessed with friends who have been in business longer than I have who are always willing to mentor me. Their guidance has been my main reason why I have such a smooth journey. My main struggle was to figure out the balance between being a mom and being a business owner. that took me a couple of years but I have that down now.
Please tell us about Braly studios.
I specialize in the art of capturing childhood. Being a mom of four, with my oldest about to turn 18 I understand the desire to freeze time, or at least slow it down a bit. Well since that is impossible I have the next best thing, beautiful portraits of my children at each stage of their childhood. They are my most precious possessions. With Braly Studios you get more than a pretty picture, you can get that anywhere… even iPhones can take a good picture. With Braly Studios you get a portrait experience. I’m there with you every step of the way. You start your experience with a consult where we personally design your portrait session and you end the experience with custom professional crafted artwork that you will proudly display in your home. My work is very whimsical and almost fairytale-like, which is how I think children see the world… full of magic. So even though I feel my artistic style is unique I really focus on serving my clients.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
This is a good question and one that made me think a little bit. There are quite a few! Most recently, I have learned that it’s good to be myself. Even though I found out pretty quickly that I loved photographing children, I was scared to label myself as one. I held back my artistic eye and thought my work should look like everybody else’s. that was so far from the truth! I had an ” aha” moment at the beginning of the year and really honed in on who I was as a photographer and let my fairy-tale whimsical loving freak flag fly! So far, this year has been the best yet! Not only are my clients in love with their artwork, I’m also even MORE in love with what I do!
Pricing:
- session fee is $250 that includes our time together, products are sold separately
- products start at $75
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bralystudios.com
- Phone: 682-365-0194
- Email: jenny@bralystudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braly_studiosphotography/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/bralystudios
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