Meet Bradley Piri

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

Bradley, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Overcoming imposter syndrome has been more of a journey than a moment. When I first started B. Piri Photography, I had no formal roadmap—just a camera, a deep love for storytelling, and a desire to make people feel seen. I didn’t come from money or connections; in fact, I had to navigate poverty, moments of homelessness, and late-diagnosed neurodivergence while building my business. So for a long time, I carried this question in the back of my mind: “Do I really belong here?”

But every time someone cried seeing their portraits, or a client told me they’d never felt beautiful until they stepped in front of my lens, I realized I wasn’t faking anything—I was fulfilling a calling.

What helped me most was shifting my focus from proving myself to serving others. When I centered my mission—empowering people through photography, storytelling, and community—the doubt started to fade. I also learned to document my wins, not just creatively but emotionally: launching Cups of Art, shooting for brands like PBS and American Express, getting featured in a museum. Those moments reminded me that I earned my space.

Imposter syndrome doesn’t disappear entirely. But now, when it shows up, I remind myself: I built this—camera in hand, community at heart, and vision forward. That’s not luck or a fluke. That’s legacy in motion.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a portrait and event photographer based in Toledo, Ohio, and the founder of B. Piri Photography. Since 2016, I’ve been driven by a simple but powerful mission: to help people feel seen. Photography isn’t just about creating beautiful images—it’s about capturing moments of truth, joy, and connection, especially for those who often feel overlooked. My work is rooted in care, storytelling, and a deep belief that everyone deserves a boutique experience where they’re valued and empowered.

Beyond photography, I’m the co-owner of Cups of Art, a multidisciplinary creative space that blends tea, art, wellness, and community. Located in the heart of Toledo, our venue includes a shared photography studio (the Click Clique Room), a tea and plant shop (The Artpothecary), and space for public programming like improv shows, open mics, and artist showcases. It’s become a home for collaboration, creativity, and culture—a place where community can thrive.

One of the projects closest to my heart right now is Art Saves Dreams, a visual storytelling series born from a graffiti mural in my studio. It explores how creativity becomes a lifeline—and how art continues to save lives, including my own.

Everything I do—whether behind the camera or curating community events—is about creating safe, affirming spaces where people can express themselves fully. That’s the soul of my work and the legacy I hope to leave.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Resilience
Life didn’t hand me a blueprint. I faced instability, late-diagnosed neurodivergence, and moments of starting from scratch with just a vision and a camera. But I learned how to keep showing up—even when it was uncomfortable, unclear, or lonely. For those just starting out: know that your story doesn’t have to look polished to be powerful. Strength comes from how you move through the hard parts.

Creative Communication
Whether it’s capturing someone’s spirit in a photo or curating an experience that makes people feel seen, storytelling has been central to everything I do. For others, especially creatives: practice telling your story, even when it feels messy. Journal. Talk to people. Revisit old work and notice what it says about you. That clarity will guide you when the path feels uncertain.

Community Building
So much of my growth came when I stopped trying to do it all alone. Cups of Art exists because people believed in a shared vision—and now it’s a space that reflects all the energy we’ve poured into it. My advice? Build relationships before you need them. Collaborate. Show up for others. Your community will often carry your dreams further than you can on your own.

At the core of it, my journey’s been about making space—for myself, for others, for art, and for healing. Start where you are, use what you have, and don’t be afraid to ask, “What if this could work?”

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

I’d spend it making sure I poured everything I had into the people and places that matter. I’d tell more stories—my own and others’. I’d photograph everyday magic, the kind people don’t even realize is beautiful until they see it reflected back at them. I’d document love, resilience, joy, and softness in Black and brown communities in a way that feels sacred and lasting.

I’d use every skill I have to make sure people feel like they belong somewhere—because for a long time, I didn’t.

I’d take more walks. Travel slower. Hug people longer. I’d host improv nights, dance parties, and artist residencies—not because they’re trendy, but because they help people remember they’re alive.

And more than anything, I’d make sure that when my time’s up, people can say, “Bradley made space for me. He helped me see myself.”

Because legacy, for me, has never been about fame—it’s about how people feel in the world you helped shape.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bdotpiri.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/bdotpiriphoto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BdotPiri/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bdotpiri/
• Other: https://cupsofart.com/

Image Credits

Bradley Piri; B. Piri Photography