We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brookelyn Akers. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brookelyn below.
Brookelyn , we are so deeply grateful to you for opening up about your journey with mental health in the hops that it can help someone who might be going through something similar. Can you talk to us about your mental health journey and how you overcame or persisted despite any issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
It’s no secret that I have PTSD. I have quite a story to tell, but for now, I’ll just start off by telling how I overcome the struggles and pain. I’ve learned to be a hands-on person to fight my mental health and the issues it brings to my everyday work and personal life. I always keep my hands busy and working whether it be working, writing, crafting, or doing photography. I’ve learned this is the best way to keep myself distracted, yet busy enough to help myself avoid any overthinking, and keeps me from going into a state of depression.
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?
When I was 5, both of my parents passed away. When I was 10, I lost my Nana, who raised me from when I was 5. Growing up, photos were the only thing I had left and that kept me close to them. My family was never close, and they all lived in different states, and only phone calls were ever exchanged between us. My dads side of the family kept me away from my moms side of the family for the longest time and it was very hard on me growing up. I felt like everyone was abandoning me. I always felt alone, and all that remained of my family were all of the photos I had collected over the years in two big boxes that I’ve carried with me since I was young. I am a wedding photographer based out of central Ohio. Photography is my main focus in my career path. I want my clients to have beautiful memories to cherish later on in life to look back on as I have. Even when people change, those memories and photos never do. That’s why photography is so meaningful to me and that’s why I decided to make it my career.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I had no idea where to begin posting my photography photos, so one day, I got onto Facebook and created my photography page, and from then on, I kept posting, and more people shared and spread the word about me offering photography services. This has been the best platform for my business! The advice I can give to others about becoming a wedding photographer, or even just a photographer in general, is to have a positive mindset, have faith, and to never let anyone tell you that you can’t do it, because you can do anything, be anything! Always self promote, you may think no one is watching because they don’t like your posts, but they’re always scrolling and watching your page!
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I’m always willing to swap services with other photographers, hairstylists, etc! You can reach out to me via my Facebook page, Grace & Glory Photography, and let me know if you want to collab!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://graceandgloryphotographyllc.mypixieset.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/graceandgloryphotographyohio
Image Credits
Brookelyn Akers, Grace & Glory Photography
