We recently connected with Brittany Church and have shared our conversation below.
Brittany, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
As a creative person, I’ve wondered this exact question! Creatives hit dry spots and question their career choice or major or medium.
For me, the key has been to have variety. I’ve always wanted to have multiple projects going at once. I like to think of it as a bit of a mind trick. If I get bored or stuck on one thing, I move on to the next, and because both are productive and necessary (mostly…necessary haha) it’s still moving me forward.
This method (if you’d call it that) is also likely a result of my ADD (haha) but it keeps me motivated!
Aside from photography, I also play multiple instruments, enjoy DIYing furniture, knitting, writing fiction, and I have painted before…but don’t often. Taking the time to work on these interests keeps my creative muscle(s) in shape.
A change of environment is huge too. My family vacationed in northern Michigan and/or Ontario for years in my childhood and in college, and the time away in nature, not on any devices and with terrible cell service, was revitalizing to my soul. It became a sort of creative retreat. I always came back with fresh ideas, without even really hoping for that. I love wandering down a smalltown main street and peering in at the work of local artists. It’s inspiring to see the beauty of the created world through their eyes, through paintings, jewelry, and especially photos of the Great Lakes and the night sky. (If you’ve never been to Michigan, put it on your list for summer vacation. I love my state!)
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’ve played with cameras growing up (90s kids remember the wind up film cameras of our youth), and owned one since I was 13, but I wasn’t all that serious about photography (think business cards, brands, Instagram tools) until 2020. Britt Media existed as my brand, but it really took shape after that point.
That was the year I bought a new camera at the same time that I took a photography course online, and truly fell in love with it. I’ve had the privilege of recording firsts, lasts, and small moments that nobody sees and it never gets old.
I was deeply insecure as a teen and though I enjoyed taking pictures, I hated being in front of the camera. As a photographer, I love the moment where, posed or natural, I take a shot, show my subjects what it looks like, and their faces light up.
Hearing the words, “Oh my goodness, I’m pretty!” or “Wow, hun, you’re glowing,” makes me want to take my teenage self’s face in my hands and tell her, she IS beautiful, even if the mirror said otherwise.
In the summer of 2024, I launched Britt Media Bridals! Bridals are a personalized photo session for brides who want to wear their dress again, with absolutely nothing else going on. No planning, no guest list, just a beautiful girl with a bouquet (and champagne!) I consider myself a portrait photographer who has dabbled in weddings, not a wedding photographer per se, so it’s also fun for me to interact with brides one-on-one this way!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My personality tends to be laid back and flexible, and that really has helped during photo sessions when something goes awry. 90% of my photos are taken outdoors, and in Michigan, the weather can be quite unpredictable depending on the season. On top of that, there may be, at any point a combination of kids crying, dogs running around, equipment acting up, etc. Thankfully I’ve never had to cancel a photoshoot due to equipment failure but it does happen. Having multiple memory cards and backup batteries are a must. As a photographer, you hope for the best but I’ve learned that no amount of planning ever makes everything go seamlessly. I’ve learned to roll with it. It helps my clients to stay calm too. 🙂
I know many photographers who consider themselves OCD or “control freaks” and when it’s your career or main source of income, that’s understandable. But people will sense what you’re feeling and reflect it back to you. If I’m ever feeling anxious (which does happen) I practice a breathing technique called box breathing (breathe in for 4 sec, hold for 4 sec, out for 4 sec) and hand clenching. These help me be a nonanxious presence so my clients can feel comfortable the whole time.
I also love to learn and do it best visually. When I want to learn editing techniques or the best camera settings for a specific environment, I search YouTube for tutorials. I love learning from other photographers. We’re in this together!
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My parents have always been supportive of me. My dad helped me choose my original camera, looking at different specifications and comparing prices.
Photography kind of runs in our family. My mom was always taking pictures of us growing up (I have 3 brothers) and because of that we have SO many recorded memories.
When my dad traveled as a twenty-something, he did lots of landscape photography out west that they still have in their home today. My great-grandpa, his grandpa, also did portraits and landscape photography and I was given one of his original cameras (a vintage Nikon model) a few years back. It’s such a cool memento!
Having their support is of course encouraging. I think they enjoy seeing the raw moments I’ve captured, sometimes before anyone else does. (Love you guys!)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brittmedia.wixsite.com/home
- Instagram: britt.media.photo
Image Credits
@rachelalisephotography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
