Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kortney Kassler. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kortney, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Kortney, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I come from a broken family. I was the only child sandwiched between other broken families; never really belonging to one or the other. I was lost. Photography gave me a sense of community, family. It gave me purpose. For once, I had something to offer; something others could get excited about. The best gift you can give someone is a positive memory and I get to wrap each and every one of those memories up in a bow and deliver them for a lifetime!

I fell into photography by the adoration of my own children. I wanted to capture their essence in raw form and the world to see them the way I did. A camera did that for me, but it didn’t stop there. Others began to invite me into their sacred spaces and the rest is history. I found myself in a birthing room sitting bedside with another doting mother about to give birth to her firstborn. It was then that I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.

Birth photography is my number 1 passion, but weddings are a close 2nd. Those 2 things, in my honest opinion, are the closest you can be to staring Jesus in the face, this side of Heaven.

I think what sets Kortney Brook Photography apart is our innate ability to relate and empathize with others. It’s led me straight to the hearts of many; supernaturally understanding their need to encapsulate such special memories, because I too recognized the importance. It’s also inspired me to eagerly search and identify the needs of others in each specific and unique occasion; ultimately hiring a full team of equally passionate artists (film, hair, makeup) also hungry to identify and meet the needs of others.

All in which have indirectly led me back to a humble living at home raising my children again. The perks? Belonging. It all comes full circle. I didn’t seek the belonging, the success. I had a heart for others and the rest fell into place.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Conformity. If you’re doing everything to fit in with everyone else, how can you be set apart? I spent the majority of my life trying to fit in. As an only child from divorced and remarried families, I never fit in. I’ve spent the last decade of my life trying to unravel the chains of exclusivity. I want everyone young, old, beginner, professional, student, entrepreneur to know each and every person has something to offer. We can all learn from each other. Stand out!

My oldest told me recently of an elderly gentleman who visited our local YMCA (where my daughter is a lifeguard). He said, “Please don’t make fun of me for using this” as he reached for a floating device. She was appalled as she asked, “Why on earth would I?” He proceeded to tell her how he was mocked for using the device in the next town over by the lifeguards on duty. Elated by her response, he confidently got his 5am swim on as he should. We all deserve to occupy space, but when others hold space for us, it’s the ultimate validation.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Creativity. Creativity luckily breeds non-conformity. The only advice I can give others is NOT to conform. Learn the rules specifically so you can break them!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kortneybrook.com
• Instagram: @kortneybrookphotography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/kortneybrookphotography
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kortneybrookphotography
• Youtube: @kort_neyb