We were lucky to catch up with Amy Bracco Biden recently and have shared our conversation below.
Amy Bracco, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?
About two years ago, I was sitting in the pediatrician’s office with my two boys, waiting for their appointment. It was just after the holidays, and the hallways were lined with family photo cards. As I looked at them, I noticed that most of the photos felt overly posed and all seemed quite similar.
Not long before, I had worked with one of my favorite photographers and I was still inspired by the energy she creates on her sets—music pumping, people dancing, laughter, and movement. The images she produces are stunning, full of life, and have a beautiful editorial quality.
It suddenly occurred to me that I could bring my 27 years of on-set modeling experience into the world of family portrait photography.
Earlier that year, shortly after my second child was born, I had reached out to a few newborn photographers, only to be disappointed by their pricing and the overly posed, inauthentic look of the final images. I wanted something real. I shared my frustration with my friend Rezeta, an incredibly talented photographer, and she kindly offered to come over and take newborn photos as a gift. During that shoot, I realized how naturally we worked together—it just flowed.
A few weeks later, I invited her to lunch and pitched an idea I’d been toying with. What if we partnered up to create a new kind of photo studio? A collaboration where she would capture her amazing, award-winning shots, and I would create an atmosphere where families could relax, have fun, and feel at ease. Together, we could deliver beautiful, timeless, elevated photos. Rezeta was in!
In the months that followed, we got to work building our portfolio. We reached out to friends, models, agents—anyone with an interesting look—offering to shoot them in exchange for permission to use the images. We dove into learning Capture One, set up spreadsheets to track our expenses, and hired (and later replaced) a web designer. We launched an Instagram page, listened to podcasts, and brainstormed ways to get the word out about our new venture.
Now, nearly two years later, Rezeta and I are shooting all the time. We’ve already built a loyal client base, and our business is growing through Instagram, Google, and word of mouth. Collaborating with Rezeta has been one of the most incredible creative journeys of my life, and it’s also been the most fulfilling work I’ve ever done.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Rezeta and I both began our careers in the fashion industry as models. As teenagers, we traveled the world, working with top photographers, art directors, and creatives in the fashion world. Although we never crossed paths back then, our shared experiences and journeys connected us, leading to a clear, shared vision for the kind of photography we wanted to create.
We bring everything we’ve learned from those years into our photography studio, where we collaborate with our clients to produce stunning images—ones you’d typically only see in fashion magazines.
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
Rezeta and I first met years ago when she came to my annual Tacky Christmas Sweater Party with her then-boyfriend (now husband). She had this vibrancy and energy that instantly lit up the room. Over the years, we got to know each other better, and by 2021, we both found ourselves living in Los Angeles, spending more time together with our young kids. As fate would have it, we were even pregnant with our second children at the same time!
After our second babies were born, we decided—because, of course, we had so much free time on our hands—to start a business together. Ha!
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
So far, our business has grown through word of mouth, referrals, Instagram, and Google. Many of our clients, after working with us, often gift our shoots to their pregnant friends or family members. We absolutely adore our clients and are so grateful for their support.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ever-photos.com
- Instagram: @ever_photos
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kLhNpYQYTtAyH5pS8?g_st=i&utm_campaign=ac-im
