We recently connected with Brittni Cain and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittni, thanks for joining us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later?

I started my business in November 2021 after years and years of talking myself out of it. I always had the fear of not being good enough, not being able to support my family, or the daunting question of “Could it even be a real career?”. I have a fascination with images whether paintings, photographs, etc. I want to know the history, the memory behind it, GIVE ME ALL THE DETAILS! In 2020 COVID came and so did my daughter, so I spent a lot of time at home. I decided then I was going to research and maybe take a few online classes at the local college. I got my first DSLR camera and took a handful of classes online at University of North Georgia. I was taking pictures of everything and I mean everything. I fell so in love with photography and was addicted to learning as much as I could. So, for the next year plus that’s exactly what I did. In November 2021, I was tired of being afraid and made the leap. I regret everyday not starting sooner and not having more time behind my camera with clients. It brings me immense joy to capture peoples moments, to look at that picture and remember the smiles they had or the memories they were creating. I wish I would have started experiencing that feeling way sooner.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a natural light, lifestyle photographer living in Gainesville, GA but serving all of the North Georgia surrounding area. I mostly photograph families, maternity, and newborn but dipping my toes into weddings here and there. I have wanted to be a photographer since I was little. My mother used to buy the disposable film cameras, you know the ones you had to take to the drug store and wait forever to get back? I loved just photographing anything and everything. I could also go to a museum, someone’s home, restaurant, honestly anywhere there was some type of image or painting and stare at it for what would seem like hours. I wanted to know every details, the artist/photographer, why did they take it or paint it, what is the story behind it, I needed all the information. I always wanted to be a photographer but I am my worst critic and thought to myself I could never be good enough or make anything out of it. In 2020 I bought my first DSLR camera and took a handful of online classes at the college. I was addicted to the education of it and wanted to learn everything I could. in November 2021 I decided enough was enough, I was good and I could get better! I wanted to fight my fear and prove to myself I could do it and I did.

I am a wife and mother of 2, I have a son that is 10 and a daughter that is 4. They are currently my everyday unpaid models, my daughter loves it, my son is in the “this isn’t cool, Mom” phase. May 5, 2023 I lost my best friend, my incredible mother and while I was going through all of our memories together I realized my daughter only has 1 single image with her Nana. This was so sad yet eye opening for me because pictures aren’t just pictures. They are literally frozen moments of our memories with the ones we love.

All year I thrive myself on learning new things, trying new things, and continuing my education to be my best self for my clients. I firmly believe taking photos should be fun. My photo shoots are just opportunities to dress up & goof off with your loved ones. And I am so grateful for the opportunity to be invited into the lives of bright, genuine, quirky, nerdy, teasing goofballs. I mix a little with posing but you can never get genuine smiles so I always add in a little fun for those sweet laughter candid. I will play with your kids, I will hold them if I need to, I will hype you up your entire session while still remaining professional and delivering images you will absolutely adore.

I am not just a photographer, we will be friends by the end of it. Nervous for your session? I walk my clients through every moment including but not limited to; posing, styling, location selection, wild babies, grumpy spouses, and more. I promise by the end, we would have all had the best time. I want to be a fun yet safe place for all of my clients and I think that sets me apart. Even after our session, I keep up with you, check in on those babies, pray for you, and become your new biggest hype woman.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to stop being the “YES” girl. Anyone who knows me, knows that I rarely say no. I will go WAY out of my way to help and accommodate others even if its a huge inconvenience towards myself. Someone asked for a lower rate? Yes. Can you go do this for me? Yes (Even though its 30 min out of my way). Can you reschedule me but please not charge me? Yes. It was honestly one of the worst habits I had to break. I had friends (cough cough Krystal) constantly telling me, “GET UP THERE?” or (Stop it! Quit letting people run over you.). Insecurities got me for sure but then I realized I could not run a business this way. I could not be successful or looked at seriously if I continued this way. I finally stood stronger, stuck to my contract, started saying no to inconveniences, etc. Not only did my clients and peers respect me more but, I respected myself more. I feel like in that lesson it made me stronger and a better overall photographer/business owner.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

In May 2023 I lost my mother unexpectedly and after going through images I realized how precious a image truly was. I always loved photos but its not until someone you love will never be in one again and you just have the previous memories that were captured.

Now as a photographer I see high school seniors, engagements, weddings, first pregnancy, newborn, families, and so much more. I get to be apart of these peoples journeys that there loved ones will look at and cherish for years to come. How could that not be rewarding? A mom with her first full term pregnancy after years and years of IVF and losses? Then your taking the image of them holding that miracle they were told was impossible in their arms. Years and years I get to continue to watch there family grow. Or, from the time he gets down on one knee and your hiding in the bush to take the surprise images to later watching her walk down the isle. I get to watch love grow and continue to flourish.

I took pictures of a family whose Mom started cancer treatments and didn’t know what the future held. These are frozen moments in time for families to treasure for generations forward and I am just so honored to be allowed a tiny glimpse into each and everyone of their lives. Every time I get to get behind my camera and capture anything for a family it is beyond rewarding to me, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brittnicainphotography.com/
• Instagram: @brittnicainphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brittnicainphotography
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@brittnicainphotography

Image Credits

Shootout credits to Rachel Victoria Photography and Reverie and Sol