We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bretagne Isler a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Bretagne, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
When I started my photography business, I knew how I wanted to treat my clients and how I wanted my clients to feel with me: safe, relaxed, and understood. After reading some of the most hateful comments that I have ever read regarding the LGBTQIA+ community – from the people that I grew up around – I was angry. I was shocked. I almost delved into the comments and gave them a piece of my mind, but what has that ever gotten us? I wanted to do something that would make an impact – something that would change the minds and hearts of these people. So that’s what I did.
I reached out to vendors that I knew were either within the LGBTQIA+ community or strong allies and told them my idea to put together a shoot that celebrates LGBTQIA+ stories and breaks stigmas around their identities. After I got all of my amazing vendors on board, we put out a model call for anyone within the LGBTQIA+ community that was willing to share their stories. I remember reading story after story and just sobbing. I was sobbing out of anger for the families that abandoned their children for coming out. I was sobbing over the love stories that felt like a fairytale. I was sobbing over the people that so clearly wanted things to change for the better for their community. After reading the entries, I knew that this project was going to be something beautiful and life-changing for all of those involved and, hopefully, those who take these stories in.
For the month of October (Atlanta Pride), myself along with the other amazing vendors who poured their hearts and souls into this project, will be sharing these stories across our social media platforms. Our hope is to change at least one person’s heart to see that the LGBTQIA+ community deserves love, support and compassion.
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 think I’ve been wandering around life for the longest time trying to decide what my “calling” is. I started college as an Early Childhood Education major and swiftly switched to Marketing. I thought that Marketing would be the easiest, most reliable route – something that our parents have instilled in us for so long. I graduated and worked in the advertising/sales world for five years but was so severely depressed and lacking joy that my husband knew I needed a creative outlet. He bought me a beginner camera for Christmas in 2019 and I quickly enrolled myself in a photography masterclass. After I did my first practice session with my best friend and her boyfriend, I realized that I was having a lot of fun, people liked my photos, and I could make something out of this. I didn’t have to be stuck in a corporate role for the rest of my life. I could pursue something that brought me joy. So I built up my brand and portfolio and quit my corporate job in April of this year (2022). I’ve been going full steam ahead since then. My photography business focuses on weddings, elopements, couples and boudoir. I’ve realized that I offer something really special in terms of photography style and how I treat my clients. My photography style is centered around candid, intentional portraits. I take the time to get to know my clients on a personal basis. This helps me create a story that is unique to them and their love story. It helps me focus on what is truly important to them, rather than copying an idea from Pinterest and running with it. A lot of my inspiration comes from their love, songs, favorite movies, date nights, tv shows, etc. There is inspiration everywhere and stories to tell.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is knowing that my art resonates with people. There are a lot of trends when it comes to photography and I try really hard to stick to what brings me joy. I think that joy shows in my work and that’s what people are drawn to. I love that I am drawing people in that want the same things that I want out of photography: joy, intimacy, and love.
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
I take client relationships very seriously. I pour my whole heart and soul into learning about these people so that I can make sure that their session or wedding day is perfect and I don’t take that lightly. My whole thing is that I am your photographer now, but your best friend for life. Social media is my key to keeping up with all of my clients and vice versa. We build these relationships where we are celebrating each other’s milestones and comforting each other when times get tough. I’m one of the first people to know when clients are planning on proposing, having a baby, buying a house, etc. I’m one of my clients’ biggest cheerleaders and I think that’s what has created such great brand loyalty. People are going to cling to people that feel like home and I foster those relationships to ensure they always know that I’m in their corner.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tags-photo.com
- Instagram: @tagsphotography
- Facebook: @photographytags