We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Breuntonice Hickson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Breuntonice, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Day to day the world can seem like a tough place, but there’s also so much kindness in the world and we think talking about that kindness helps spread it and make the world a nicer, kinder place. Can you share a story of a time when someone did something really kind for you?

This is a tough question because I have been blessed to have people in my life that have done so many kind things for me that it is hard to name them all. But if I had to choose just one, I would pick an event that happened two years ago.

I had just started my photography business about 1 year prior when I was asked to do a lifestyle photoshoot for a coworker’s friend for a magazine. I was very new at this and didn’t have a lot of experience which made me nervous at the outcome of the shoot. During the photoshoot, we talked about her business as well as my future goals for my business. About a month after the shoot, I received an email stating that I was nominated by my client for a feature in this very magazine as a “Hidden Gem”. To say I was shocked was an understatement, I was completely overjoyed and honored that I immediately called my mom and screamed into the phone before telling her the news.

This moment meant so much to me because it was a huge confidence boost that told me that I was good at this, and that people believed in me and my brand. So, from that moment forward, I took everything I did seriously and began to learn more, take more photos, and really dedicate myself to my craft.

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

My name is Breuntonice (Bree) Hickson and I am the owner of Perisianne Shannae’. I am 29 years old, and I was born and raised in Dallas, TX. I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design from UNT in 2017.

Perisianne Shannae’ started as a custom design fashion brand while I was still in college. A couple years after graduating, I began to re-ignite my childhood love for photography. It all started when I couldn’t find a photographer to do a fantasy/themed shoot for my senior collection the way I wanted it. So, I purchased my first camera, did the photoshoot myself and the rest is history. By taking that chance, photography has now become the leading discipline of my brand.

I specialize in lifestyle photography because I love capturing real-life milestones, which includes headshots, portraits, lifestyle, children, and themed photography. Doing themed photoshoots has become one of my favorite shoots to capture. I like to push boundaries artistically to capture unique photos which allows me to offer my clients a wide range of possibilities when creating memories. I pride myself on always being open to learning new things and new ways of doing stuff.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I would say any time that I had unforeseen health issues because they affected my life, career, and business all at the same time. At 21 I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and at 29 with IIH (Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension). Each illness at one point has caused me to take a step back and re-evaluate everything mentally, physically, and emotionally. By taking those steps back and getting myself back healthy, I allowed myself to focus on revamping everything to accommodate my new lifestyle. This in turn made it easier for me to get back out there and move forward with my life, career, and my business.

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

I have found that my best source for new clients has been referrals from my previous clients. Which I am truly grateful for. I also find new clients by self-promoting when I’m out doing photoshoots or just randomly taking photos.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.perisianneshannae.com
• Instagram: @perisianne_shannae
• Facebook: Perisianne Shannae’

Image Credits
Perisianne Shannae’ Photography, Dolfos_fotos