We recently connected with Brittany Colt and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittany, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us about a time where you or your team really helped a customer get an amazing result?

One customer success story happened recently when I got to serve a brain cancer survivor with my company, The Flying Dress Experience.

When my partner, Shawn Reeder, and I first started photographing women in flying dresses in awe-inspiring locations and really started to build The Flying Dress Experience, we knew we were onto something really special. Capturing the essence of women in nature adorned in an elegant, flowing, flying dress is such a wonderful experience. It becomes extra special when we can help a woman truly feel empowered after a life threatening diagnosis. That is exactly what we got to experience with Sarah Land. Sarah has always pushed the limits and has accomplished things many humans will only ever dream of.

Sarah has climbed the massive 3000 foot face of the mighty El Capitan in Yosemite National Park 13 times. Many climbers will train their entire lives just to attempt to climb it once.

Sarah had her entire life flipped upside down a few years ago when she found out she had a highly aggressive brain cancer tumor. The doctors didn’t give her long to live. But not only is she still here with us, she decided she wanted to hang off a steep cliff with over a thousand feet of air underneath her for her Flying Dress Experience with the mighty El Capitan as the backdrop.

As Sarah rigged her anchor for the rope, people started crowding around us sensing that something magical was about to happen. Sarah has not done any major climbing since her brain tumor so getting back in the harness with thousands feet of air below, was an amazing achievement for her. She excitedly slipped on the red, flying dress and harness and mustered the courage to rappel over the edge. Any experienced climber will tell you that stepping over the edge is super scary and always heightens ones nerves.

Sarah embraced her nervous energy with laughter and joy as she got into position. During the entire photo shoot, she had so much fun and came to life right before our very eyes. I can’t tell you how good this makes me feel to help women fully reclaim their power.

Brittany, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My professional photography journey started 15 years ago. While I was in college for Graphic Design, I ran my portrait and wedding photography business all the while collaborating with local narrative film makers. This time in my life was crucial as it shaped me to be the photographer that I am today.

Fast forward to 2018, I decided to uplift my life in Portland, Oregon and move to Yosemite National Park to work as a staff photographer for The Ansel Adams Gallery. Later I became the Education Coordinator for their photography educational program. At this point in my life, I was heavily focused on the art of photographing landscapes. I learned and taught landscape photography in one of the most inspiring locations on earth.

My ability to “see” is unique. Being born blind in one eye has definitely influenced my photographic style. Even though I have faced many challenges; I never let my disability hold me back from my dreams. And thus, The Flying Dress Experience was born.

With my knowledge of portraits and landscapes complimenting and supporting each other, it was a natural progression to show the beauty of women in a flying dress in such majestic nature. With The Flying Dress Experience, my mission is to uplift and empower ALL women. I offer unique photo shoot experiences where women are adorned in a long, silky flying dresses surrounded by mother earth. These photo shoots help women to embrace their feminine in a society that often doesn’t support that. And offering that support is the core mission of The Flying Dress Experience.

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

It started in 2017 when I separated from my husband and business partner. We owned and ran a wedding and portrait business in Portland, Oregon. My whole life and plans for our future got turned upside down in a few short months as I began the process of divorce.

This was one of the hardest decisions of my life, but I knew I needed to get myself out of a relationship that no longer served me. With the divorce, the wedding and portrait business crumbled and I knew I needed to make some big changes.

As I was going through the grieving process of my marriage, I had the opportunity to apply for a position as a Staff Photographer for The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite National Park. It was my dream for over ten years to live and work in a national park. On a whim I applied for the position and honestly didn’t think it could actually happen. When I received the job offer, I was shocked. I couldn’t believe that one of my dreams might be coming true during one of the most difficult times in my life.

I packed everything I could in my little Kia and began the journey of fully reclaiming myself and living out my highest potential.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

What is very rewarding for me as an artist and creative is to bring beauty into peoples lives. Whether someone buys my landscape photography or hires me to photograph them, I am capturing a moment that would otherwise be lost. It is so satisfying to be able to embrace creativity as a way to be of service to others.

Contact Info:

• Website: brittanycolt.com theflyingdressexperience.com
• Instagram: @brittanycolt @theflyingdressexperience
• Facebook: @brittanycolt

Image Credits

Subject image Credit:

Woman in red dress hanging from cliff with El Capitan – Sarah Land
Woman in yellow dress with mountains – Deja Charles
Woman in pink dress on top of dome – Lissette Chapin
Man and Woman by lake – Bethany Matsumoto and Skylar Lance
Woman hanging from wall holding a ukulele – Elizabeth Petra
Woman with piano – Marisol Lucinda McCann