Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brianna Saba. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Brianna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

The biggest risk I’ve ever taken was deciding to open a photography studio with my sister. It started with a simple phone call and an impromptu brainstorming session. We’re both photographers in our own right — my sister is a full-time photographer and director, while I’m an Art Director / Designer and film photographer working mostly in the street photography and documentary space. The idea was extremely exciting to me. My mind began racing with all the possibilities of how we could make this something really special. My creative acts have never been restricted to one lane and this new endeavor sparked something deep within me.

We got started without any real idea of how to make this happen or what owning a business would really be like. We took the next couple months to start looking at studio spaces and after much back and forth we found a lovely little space (emphasis on little) in a Bushwick warehouse building. It was as good as it was going to be. We felt then that it was the perfect place to start, and we got to work.

A strange instance of universal alignment occurred when the creative agency I was working for at the time closed its doors on the exact same day we got keys to the studio. Suddenly, for the first time in my adult life I had a month of paid time off to completely dedicate my time to opening the studio. It was a blessing I could have never planned for and I was so grateful for the circumstances that allowed me to shift my focus in that moment. I thrive in the creative chaos — in the space where process and potential meet. We spent nearly every day for the next month working tirelessly to get the studio up and running. That included filling an LLC, getting a business credit card, ordering equipment, designing the visual identity, narrowing in on our offering, and prepping the space. Looking back it was such an exciting time and it’s incredible to see how much we’ve grown since then.

It’s been 2 years since we opened the studio in our first space. Last week we celebrated the move to our (much) larger studio space with an opening party that was more successful than I could’ve imagined. Risk coupled with pursuit is no longer risk, but a commitment to your own ambition.

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

As a creative, the most daunting task is always defining yourself by way of a medium or practice. But if I must, I’m a working Art Director / Designer and Photographer. My full-time job consists of working at a creative agency as an Associate Creative Director and on the side (albeit taking up a lot of my time) I run a photography studio with my sister, Saba Studios.

For as long as I can remember the creative process has been a core element of my being. It’s never something I “chose” to do, it just was. I spent countless hours as a kid drawing, ideating, building, researching, and exploring. These creative pursuits were expressed through many different mediums like painting, writing, and photography once I was able to get my hands on my Dad’s old film camera. The rest is history really.

I attended Parsons the New School for Design studying Communication Design and Photography. From there I really began to hone my craft, develop technical skills, understand historical context, explore new ideas, and ultimately become a more well-rounded thinker. The unsung ingredient in what sets apart goodness from greatness in the creative act.

Today, my practice looks a little bit like the creative mess of my childhood bedroom floor, perhaps with a bit more refinement and direction. As an agency creative I spend my time in equal parts as a leader of the design team, creative driver of projects, and doer. My career so far has allowed me the fortune of crafting comprehensive brand stories for global clients including Nike, Beats by Dre, Afterpay, Hasbro, and more. I work within a variety of mediums, including crafting physical activations, interactive websites, campaign films, and brand identity launches to name a few.

I consider photography more of my art practice, although I do earn a living from it on occasion — especially with the opening of my photo studio. As a street and documentary photographer I’m passionate about identifying and capturing real moments at the intersection of people, culture, and environment. I’m deeply passionate about visual archiving, investigation, and preservation. For me, the best medium to express this is through a mixture of photography, writing, and curation. I’m currently working on a project that explores immigration and culture through food and the objects we choose to carry with us.

My photography studio, Saba Studios, is the culmination of all the things I love. A place where the creative community can convene, a vessel for my design practice, a studio to practice photography, and an interior space to outfit.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the ability to bring ideas to life—transforming thoughts, emotions, and experiences into something tangible that resonates with others. I deeply enjoy the process of discovery, where interest leads to exploration leads to creation, and eventually a conversation.

There’s deep fulfillment in creating something that sparks inspiration, connection, or introspection, whether for myself or for others. It’s beautiful to facilitate change or even a small shift in perspective for those around you. Creativity is a bridge between imagination and reality, and the most rewarding part is witnessing how an idea, once just a spark, can take on a life of its own.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Absolutely. One of the biggest resources I wish I had tapped into earlier was the power of creative collaboration—specifically, platforms and communities that foster genuine artistic exchange. Spaces like residencies, artist collectives, and creative workshops can be game-changers, offering not just networking opportunities but hands-on collaboration. It’s these micro-moments of inspiration that can lead you on a completely different trajectory. It’s unquantifiable, which is deeply exciting.

The depth and quality of my work improved greatly when I began sharing my ideas with others and curating a creative network that I could tap into. Letting go of the fear of collaboration was one of the best things I could’ve done for my practice.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.briannasaba.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannasaba
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannasaba/
• Other: https://www.are.na/brianna-saba

Image Credits

Photos by Brianna Saba