We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brittany Callahan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brittany below.

Alright, Brittany thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

To me, being successful is about having a passion for what you’re doing and willing to always put in the effort to improving. It’s about having a love for the process of your work and being able to deliver results to your clients that not only meet, but exceed expectations. For me, having attention to detail and capturing meaningful moments for my clients have been a key to my success.

I realized that part of my success is about going the extra mile to create something unforgettable for each of my clients. This is a mindset that I carry to every session; whether it’s capturing the bond between a horse and their rider, or capturing a stunning photograph of a client’s dog. I truly believe that it’s the attention to the detail and the willingness to pour my heart into every session, that leads to success.

Brittany, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I specialize in both equine and canine photography; I am based out of southern Illinois, but I travel throughout the US. After having a photography session with one of my Dalmatians, Pixel, it sparked a passion for pet photography. It was an unforgettable experience, and I knew I wanted to bring the same joy and memories to others.

What sets me apart is my genuine connection with animals and my drive to provide the best experience possible. With years of experience in the horse and dog world, I understand how to make both pets and their owners feel at ease, which makes the end results absolutely amazing. It does not matter if you have a perfect angel that is well trained, a horse that is a wiggle worm, or even an aggressive dog, I will be able to obtain amazing results from a session. The trick is patience and to go into each session knowing that it is unique.

I am most proud of impact my work has on my clients. I absolutely love seeing their face light up and knowing that I am able to provide my clients with such happiness is something I will never take for granted.

I want people to know that I strive to do more than just click a shutter button and provide an image – I want to create artwork and capture memories that will last forever. I try to go above and beyond for every session; I learn about each horse or dog breed, learn why the breed was created, what the breed standard is, what angles and poses are preferred. Every session is designed to make sure that my client has a luxurious experience and is designed to make them feel valued and cared for.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Building my reputation within the horse and dog photography market came down to a few things – quality, consistency, and connection.

First, I have always prioritized quality over quantity for clients. I have invested thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours into learning my skillset. I still strive to expand my knowledge with photography; I am learning every day and trying to expand my skill. My clients know they’re not just getting photos – they’re investing in something amazing and meaningful.

Second, consistency has been very important. Whether I’m photographing a horse and rider session, an equine or canine portrait, or even a marketing session for stallions, I bring the same level of care and and attention to detail to every session. That builds a certain level of trust, so my clients know they can count on me to deliver something amazing every time.

Lastly, connection has been pivotal. I take the time to know what my client’s values are and what they want from a session. Whether it’s showcasing their World Champion show horse, or their dog’s quirky personality. These relationships go beyond just a single session—I want my clients to feel understood and appreciated, and that often turns them into lifelong supporters of my work.

Word of mouth has also been huge with my business. I take the time to ensure every client has the best experience; happy clients will share their experience with their friends and family. That leads to other people seeing the value in my work, and want an amazing experience for themselves too.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

Keeping in touch with clients and fostering brand loyalty starts from the beginning; building a genuine connection during their session. I don’t just photograph their animals; but I learn their stories and what makes their relationship with their animals so special. That foundation is what helps me with staying in touch and connected with my clients.

After the session is complete, I share sneak peeks on my social media. I also send a personalized hand written thank you note, with a thank you gift, for every client. It is truly an honor to be the photographer people choose to capture them and their beloved pets.

I also stay engaged through my social media posts and even writing blogs on my website; that’s where I showcase previous sessions and provide my clients with tips and tricks for both horse and dog owners.

I also feel that creating loyalty also means rewarding it. I offer all of my clients an amazing perks when they refer their friends and family, early booking opportunities, and provide my clients with gifts to show how much I value their support. I want to have every interaction with my brand personal, whether it’s their first session, or their fifth.

Ultimately, I want my clients to know they’re more than just a transaction to me – they’re part of a community that celebrates their love for their animals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brittanycallahanphotography.pro
• Instagram: @BrittanyCallahanPhotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brittanycallahanphotography

Image Credits

Brittany Callahan Photography and Andrew Phelps