We were lucky to catch up with Bree Fish recently and have shared our conversation below.

Bree, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

As a portrait photographer primarily in the music industry, I have had the opportunity to work with many inspiring and passionate creatives. I find myself listening to stories about a first live show, a family dog whose impression inspired a song, or falling in love for the first time. These stories are often places that I pull from as I photograph someone. I leave a photoshoot feeling honored that someone trusted me to visually represent them. My aim is to create an image that really shows who that subject is and not just what makes them attractive.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I moved to Nashville for Los Angeles in 2009. It was an incredible time to migrate to Nashville because it was a rapidly budding creative town with a lower cost of living. Artists could dedicate more time to growing their craft. Nashville is very prominent in the music industry and most of my friends are musicians. I dedicated my focus to the music industry in part because there was a need to tell those visual stories and also because I admire the passion and work ethic that musicians have. Being photographed is vulnerable and learning how to guide someone to be comfortable and be themselves in front of the camera is a talent. I don’t rush that process. Asking lots of questions, finding ways to relate, and being an observer is how I get to know my subject.
Canon digital cameras and vintage film cameras are my tools. I shoot both digital and film for most every shoot, but am more heavy handed with digital.
My favorite projects to photograph are album visual art buildouts. That includes album art, press photos, and social media content. Listening to the album and dreaming with the artist and their team about how to visually represent all their hard work is a really special collaboration.
My work is often described as being colorful and having hints of quirkiness and personality. I want to create timeless images that test trends and stand out, but more than that I want the person I am photographing to be able to recognize themselves.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

When I send images off to the client and they love themselves in the images, it is the most delicious feeling. Many people have bad experiences getting photographed, so when I can rewrite that story and change their perspective it feels like I got to be part of building their confidence. And confidence is essential to performers.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

To be honest, no. You have to walk your own path and be dedicated to learning. There are few shortcuts or golden tickets. You just have to. keep. going. and then keep going some more. On on yearly basis you will want to quit and dream of an easier career with health insurance and 401K. The artist that “make it” are almost always the ones who don’t quit. ***As a side note: Making it can mean lots of things and you get to decide what it means to you. Don’t let your career be dictated by someone else’s definition of success.

Contact Info:

• Website: breemariefish.com
• Instagram: @breemariefish

Image Credits
Personal Photo – Allister Ann All other photos – taken by me, Bree Fish