We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amberly Brooks. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amberly below.

Amberly, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success can be measured in several ways in my opinion. What do you think defines “success”? Not only do I think it is about the amount of wealth someone has, but more importantly how happy and content someone is with their life.

Like many other jobs, the photography industry is very saturated. As a young teen, the thought of owning my own successful photography business seemed more like a dream. It was a goal I hoped to accomplish in my life. Now, at 22 years old, I would have never imagined how my business could grow in just four short years.

I believe a significant part of success is finding something you are passionate about. Not only will you have more motivation to create your best work, but you will be able to connect with your clients on an emotional level- creating a positive experience for the both of you. However, I also believe that success does not always come from your work or product. Efficient customer service and an energetic, charismatic personality has proven to be one of the major factors of why my business has become successful. As a photographer who focuses mainly on couples and weddings, I try to make sure my clients feel comfortable and confident while taking their photos. The photo session or wedding is a whole experience in itself. I always tell my couples that when they look back on their wedding photos, I want them to remember laughing and having a great time – not being stressed or nervous because they are in front of a camera.

Overall, motivation and drive play key factors in making a person or business successful, but don’t forget to be yourself in the process. Do what you love, and love what you do! Success will follow.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started photography as a teen in high school and was able to intern with several wedding photographers for experience and side jobs. When I started college, I decided to branch out and start my own wedding photography business.

For someone who loves love, being a wedding/elopement photographer is the best job in the world. I am truly humbled and honored to document special couples on one of the most important days of their lives. Along with digital photos, I just started offering polaroid prints to my couples on their wedding/elopement day – and let’s just say that I am super excited to be able to hand my clients tangible, vintage photos to take home before they receive their online digital gallery. I love sentimental gifts and being able to provide a little personal touch to give my clients.

My favorite thing to shoot at the moment is destination elopements. Being an elopement photographer has become one of the most rewarding parts of my job. Big, traditional weddings can be elaborate and beautiful, but nothing compares to spending a whole day, intimately, with a couple with nobody else around. The couple can truly soak in a special day that is 100% only about them. Anyone who books with me knows that I’m their biggest fan and supporter. I want to make sure your memorable day is with who you want, how you want, and where you want. Do you want your fur babies and best friend standing on a mountaintop in another country? Do you want just you and your partner married on a beach in the Caribbean? Do you want to go to your local courthouse and then throw a party afterwards? Or how about a large, elegant ballroom wedding? For anything and everything, I’m your girl!

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Social media! In particular, Instagram. I would have to say that 80% of my bookings come from couples who find me from all over the world. Instagram is a free marketing tool, so I encourage anyone who owns their own business to make sure they are utilizing it as much as they can. If I ever find a business and I want to learn more about their products or services, the first place I go to search for them is Instagram.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

There are so many online resources now thanks to the internet and social media.

YouTube alone is a HUGE resource when it comes to being a self-taught creative. There are hours and hours of information at your fingertips. I encourage anyone who wants to learn more about something they are interested in to watch as many videos and soak up as much information as they can. My favorite part about YouTube videos is that you can learn from different people who have different methods, views, and interpretations of a subject.

Podcasts are another resource that I wish I had taken advantage of earlier in my creative journey. Not only do I listen to photography podcasts, but I also listen to business podcasts as well since I am a creative entrepreneur. As much as I love visuals, podcasts go into a much deeper level of information then a general YouTube video.

The best part of both of these – they are FREE for anyone!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.intotheembersphoto.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intotheembers.photo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/intotheembers.photo

Image Credits
Into The Embers Photography (myself)