We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bryanne Elisabeth. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bryanne Elisabeth below.
Bryanne Elisabeth, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I truly feel that I found what I’m meant to do; document important life moments for people.
Before finding photography, I was working in property management. I loved the way it kept me busy and always on my toes– no two days were the same, and you could make plans for the day that would completely change in a moment’s notice for reasons completely out of your control. It was about rolling with the punches. But, I got tired of taking the punches. It was difficult to even consider leaving that world. I loved my coworkers, I loved the routine of a 9-6, and I loved the satisfaction of crossing things off a list. I was good at what I did, and that was tough to walk away from.
Once I allowed myself to truly admit that I wasn’t the best version of myself while working in property management, things really changed for me. I gave myself the chance to dream and consider what would fulfill me and make me happy. I spent weeks which turned into months creating vision boards, pros/cons lists, and talking things out with friends and family. I landed on photography, and it’s my favorite leap I’ve ever taken.
I’ve always loved taking photos of people. The best feeling is sharing photos with someone and seeing their face light up, reliving the memory of that day for all it was. That’s where I find my fulfillment, and that’s what brings me joy. It’s just an added bonus that I get to call this my job.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
As a documentary photographer, I really lean into observation. There’s a fine balance between being my usual outgoing, bubbly self, and staying quiet to blend in and be a fly on the wall. There are certainly times where I need to pose my subject, but if I can do that in a way that feels natural, like you’re just hanging out with a friend who happens to have a camera, that’s way more fun for everyone involved.
In 2025, I set a goal (for engagement sessions specifically) to stop taking clients to a pretty place to take pretty photos. I try to get them to consider the things they like to do in real life as a couple. Do you like to go to the Farmer’s Market on a Saturday morning? Do yard work together while drinking a cold drink? Walk the dog around your favorite park? I encourage them to pick an activity over a location. This way, we can spend our hour-long session together doing something that’s enjoyable and realistic. That’s going to create a gallery full of authentic moments genuine to that couple.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three things I feel have been most impactful on my photography journey are my editing technique, having the right gear, and being confident.
As a photographer, honing in on your individual editing style and look of your images is probably the single most important thing. It’s what creates first impressions, and sometimes last impressions on people. Figuring out how I want my images to look and feel was certainly a process for me, but I allowed myself to evolve over time.
Having the right gear, specifically lenses, to capture my subjects the way I wanted to was a game changer. I found that having a 35mm lens at my hip at all times is my bread and butter. This lens sees things the way I want my subject to see them when they look back on their memories, and that’s key.
Last, having the confidence to GO FOR IT literally changed my life. A mentor said to me: “You’re a wedding photographer when you say you’re a wedding photographer.” Putting behind my own fears and insecurities about myself and what I thought others would think of me allowed me to bloom into the photographer I am today.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal client is someone who trusts me and likes my work. It’s important that the couple or person I am working with has seen my work and understands what a documentary photographer does. Being allowed the freedom on a wedding day to roam around and observe gives me the ability to catch those candid, unscripted moments without interruption. It takes time and patience and a little bit of luck, but mostly tons of trust from the clients. That trust building starts right from our initial conversation and timeline consultation. If a potential client says something along the lines of “we don’t really want to pose in front of the camera for hours,” I know we’re on track to being a great fit for each other.
To me, wedding photography is about documenting a day as it was and as it felt with as little manipulation as possible. It shouldn’t be about getting dressed up to stand in front of a camera all day and miss out on real life happening all around.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://grweddingphoto.com
- Instagram: @bryanneelisabethphoto
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