We were lucky to catch up with BRANDI COOPER recently and have shared our conversation below.

BRANDI, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

When you pick up a camera and decide that this is what you wanna do you start with your close friends and family. That’s what I did and I shot everyone and everything.

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

I am Brandi a momma to two girls. I’ve always loved photography and actually wanted to pursue it as an adult but went the safe route and went to college for Xray. It wasn’t until I started having professional photos taken of me and my daughter that I realized that there was another way of being a photographer. I always thought you had to work for a studio. Being a mom my clients are moms. Because I know what it’s like to have a grumpy dad and misbehaved children, I know how to coach my mamas into just letting go and embracing the chaos. The biggest thing I offer my clients is styling. I have perfected the art of styling everyday families for their session. and the key is choosing pieces that make sense and photograph well.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I recently accepted the fact that not every photograph is the same. I had to unlearn trying to be the same as everyone else….. typically when you are first starting out you take on all clients, you shoot at the same locations as everyone else and you undervalue yourself. It is sooooo hard trying to be good at everything. I noticed I let more clients down whenever I tried to fit into their vision. Instead, we have to be able to collaborate. You would not believe how many times my gut told me to run and when I didn’t I always had to work harder to make something out of nothing. The photographer you see today is okay creating a lane that is just for me, I am okay not taking bookings that do not align with my business or photography style. I am okay with not being the right fit for everyone.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Consistency!!! I think I am at the point where you know my work when you see it. The poses may not always be amazing or the clothing fire, but my editing is very consistent. Between that and my always making sure to keep in touch with clients, help serve potential clients (even if its pointing them in the direction of a photographer better suited for their project) I try to be genuine and authentic always. I am grateful for every like, comment, and share and even though my audience is small I try to take care of them. But I also try to build relationships with people I come in contact with on a day-to-day basis!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.brandialiphotography
• Instagram: @brandaliphotography
• Facebook: @brandialiphotography
• Youtube: coming soon