We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brandi Stroud. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brandi below.
Hi Brandi, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
My ultimate purpose in life is to love, do good works, and to be a light to others. I have been given gifts–we all have–that are to be used in order to fulfill my purpose. Very early I found that my gift was to create. I’ve always been drawn to art, photography, music, and poetry/creative writing. It showed up in the ways I played with my siblings, the activities I was drawn to, how I serve others (at work, church, family, and volunteering), and how my body responds when I am creating. My purpose became clear when I finally understood that I was able to use my gifts to fulfill a greater mission in all areas of my life. The answer to my “why” and “how” finally seemed to have a strong foundation.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
We never forget our dreams; they live inside us. In the midst of a 14yr corporate career as a multimedia creative, my first dream of fashion photography is still living inside of me.
I realized that my true service is to be a creative in whatever industry I work in, with whomever I interact with, and however inspiration has found me – often by the water on both coasts of the US and port cities around the world. This led me to create PortB Studio. I connect and create with fashion brands, beauty brands, and people to serve as a creative port to define their authenticity, inspiration, and personality to share with the world.
Fashion is a very siloed industry although it has such a huge impact on society – often seen as a male dominated, location-centered bubble. I’m excited to participate in the growth of the industry and lead change in the spaces I have the opportunity to create in.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Always be in a state of learning so that it’s easier to say yes to something you’ve never tried. 2. Bounce back from rejection, it’s a timing thing not a personal one.
3. Be kind.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Collaborating is something I love to do. I am interested in creating/networking with people who are interested in building a team (models, modeling agencies, makeup artists, stylists) to bounce ideas off of and shoot. I value organization, creative ideas that can be visualized on a mood board, and integrity.
Fashion week is always an exciting time and I’m always interested in partnering with brands and publications who want to showcase and highlight runway shows and backstage coverage.
Contact Info:
- Website: portbstudio.com
- Instagram: @portbstudio
