Meet Brianna Jones

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brianna Jones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Brianna, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

As a photographer, one of the greatest honors is to be trusted with the most important milestones of people’s lives – whether that’s a high school or college graduation, celebrating an anniversary with a partner, expecting mothers or even just yearly holiday family portraits, every photoshoot that I book has a story and reason behind it. When a person reaches out to me about booking a photoshoot, I do not see it as just a business transaction, but as a great sign of trust to capture a period in their life that matters, and I find so much purpose in that.

In addition to that, I also value so greatly the interpersonal relationships that I have created with clients, whether that is forming new ones or strengthening existing ones. I have taken photos of expecting mothers and a year later taken one-year birthday photos of their babies, or I’ve photographed people’s high school senior prom pictures and then later their college graduation photos. It is truly an honor to watch the people I work with grow up and continue to achieve incredible accomplishments.

Through these experiences, I’ve come to realize that my purpose lies in more than just taking photos – it’s in capturing memories, celebrating accomplishments, and being a small part of someone’s journey. Photography allows me to connect deeply with people and their stories, and that connection is what fuels my passion and gives my work meaning.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

As a photographer who specializes in portrait and lifestyle photography, I capture a wide variety of moments from high school and college grads to couples, families, friends, maternity, events, branding sessions, and more! What makes my work so exciting to me is the fact that every shoot tells a story – I get to document not just what someone looks like in a given moment, but what they’re celebrating, what they’ve overcome, and where they’re headed next!
My journey with photography started toward the end of middle school, when I realized how much I loved photographing landscapes and aesthetic details during trips. That interest deepened when I joined my high school’s photojournalism class and later became a part of the yearbook staff. By senior year, I was Editor-in-Chief, documenting nearly every school event for a 400-page yearbook at a school of almost 4,000 students. Around that same time, I started exploring portrait work, asking friends to model and experimenting with locations across Houston. When a classmate reached out and trusted me to take her senior photos, something clicked, and that shoot changed everything for me. From there, word spread and I began booking photoshoots constantly! By the time I graduated, I was running my own photography business.

Then came a huge shift, as I moved from Houston to Orange, California to attend Chapman University. I had to completely rely on word of mouth, trial and error, and learning to market myself on social media all over again. However, I am fortunate to report that over the past few years, I’ve been able to build a thriving business in California while still maintaining my Houston roots. Now, I’m proud to say I work out of both states year-round, as I’ve been taking photos in California during the school year and returning to Texas for holidays and summer sessions!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey as a photographer have been embracing my age, being adaptable, and relationship-building.

1. Embracing My Age:
Starting my business at 17, I quickly learned that being young could either be seen as a limitation or a strength, and I chose to see it as the latter. My age allowed me to relate to many of my clients, especially high school and college seniors, in a way that made them feel more comfortable and understood. Instead of trying to appear older or more experienced than I was, I leaned into what made me unique. My advice to others starting young is not to underestimate the value of your perspective. Confidence and professionalism matter more than age, and it is much more valuable to let your work speak for itself.

2. Adaptability:
Moving from Houston to California for college meant rebuilding my entire client base from scratch. It was a challenge that taught me how to market myself, connect with a new audience, and approach unfamiliar environments with confidence. Adaptability has also helped me to grow creatively, as I have tried new shoot styles and locations that I never would have tried otherwise. The ability to pivot and try new things truly helped me learn patience and resilience.

3. Relationship-Building:
One of the biggest reasons my business has continued to grow is because of the relationships I’ve built with clients. Many have returned for multiple milestones, which is a true testament to how important client relations are. I am a firm advocate that photography is so much more than snapping a picture; it’s about making people feel seen, celebrated, and comfortable in front of the camera. My advice is to always treat every client like a future client as well!

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

I credit an immense amount of my photography journey to my parents – they have truly listened to and supported me from the very beginning. When I first mentioned wanting to take photography more seriously, they didn’t just brush it off as a phase. Instead, they helped me research beginner cameras and made sure I had the tools to explore this interest. As my passion grew, they continued to invest in me, helping me upgrade my gear and find exactly what I needed to keep learning and improving.

But beyond the practical support, they were there emotionally, too. Starting a business at a young age came with a massive learning curve, and my parents were right there with me. I could not even come up with an estimate as to how many hours they have spent helping me figure out pricing, client communication, marketing, and everything in between. I owe them an incredible amount of gratitude for the part they have played in getting me to where I am, because I truly would not have been able to do it without their profound impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://briannajphotography.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannajphotography/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannaljones/