Meet Cassidy Bryant

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

firstName}, thank you so much for agreeing to talk with us about a deeply personal and sensitive topic. Postpartum depression affects so many in the community and hearing from someone who has overcome PPD might help someone who is going through it right now. 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

I would start by saying that you can’t do one thing and then you’ve overcome postpartum depression. The first step is realizing that what you’re feeling and thinking isn’t crazy, and that you’re not a bad mom for having sometimes scary thoughts. Without the support and help of my husband, I don’t know how I would’ve made it out of the gloom I was feeling. Support is huge for new moms. Everyone wants to see the baby, but where are those who want to visit the mom? Throughout the entire pregnancy, it was questions, comments, advice, and attention focused on the mother and her growing bump. However, once the baby has arrived, most of the time, the love is directed right to the baby, and the mom is left sitting on the sidelines feeling forgotten and unappreciated.
My husband forced me to say what I was thinking, and then he never criticized me, never told me what I was thinking was bad, but instead said it was normal. He knew this because he also did his homework as a spouse with a new baby on the way to research everything his partner would be going through. He didn’t laser focus every new detail to the baby; he did what he needed to do so that the main caregiver had what they needed, and he was aware of what they might be going through. I’m extremely lucky in this regard because many new parents don’t have a partner who supports them as much as is needed when having a child.
The biggest part of PPD for me was that I didn’t know who I was anymore. I knew I was a mother, had this baby that depended on me for everything, and that meant my independent life was now gone. That was the hardest thing for me. If I wanted to spend an afternoon or evening after work just painting, watching TV, baking, going to a park, or simply reading a book, that was all gone because everything revolved around feeding schedules, diaper changes, and sleep times. I had always been a creative person, and now I had no time to do what I wanted. Until I saw those Instagram and Facebook posts of everyone else’s adorable bundle of joy posed and pristine, taken by a photographer. I wanted that. But we didn’t have the money for that. I also was in the thick of PPD. I could barely get out of the house with a newborn and clothes on. How was I going to make it to a studio without falling apart? So I fired up Pinterest and saved pins of baby photography. I took our family camera and covered our bed with a blanket as a backdrop. Waited until our baby was asleep and took all the photos I could. That’s how it happened. I found my creative outlet again. Instead of drawing people, I was taking pictures of people among the beauty of nature. I started with my niece’s smash cake photos, then I did a maternity session, and now, three years later, with two babies, I have a way to be myself along with juggling the role of mother.
Giving yourself grace (you just created an entire new human), communicating your thoughts and feelings (no matter how scary they may be), and doing what you can in any spare moment to discover yourself again. These are the steps that helped me to overcome PPD. I’ve made more growth as a person in these three years than I did in the ten prior. Parenthood is difficult, but it’s life-changing in ways you might not even imagine.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Since moving states, my photography is blooming into something radiating more of my soul. I started off wrong, too corporate, big business-like, and missing authenticity. Now it’s more what I want, focusing on the shots I want to capture, and showing more inspiration for what I desire in the future. I love the details of baby fingers holding onto their parents, the genuine expressions in candid moments, the love of couples holding each other tight. I want to provide my clients with timeless photos and an experience with someone kind who cares about what they want, too. For the future, I want to book more intimidate weddings or elopements where the emotions are shining through in the photos. Locations in nature, a hike to a waterfall, or simply a sentimental spot special to the engaged.
I’m not much interested in the photoshopped photos. I love real life. My style does have a hint of vintage flair, and I’m loving the cinematic look currently. I’m having fun with it and using this as a way to explore my new state of Tennessee while meeting all kinds of people.
I recently did my first mini session event. I wanted to give to the moms in my area what I, as a fresh mom, would’ve loved. I did 10-minute sessions where clients were guaranteed 10 digital, edited photos all for $10. It turned out amazing, and I’m so appreciative to all the mothers who came out with their children and some with spouses. From my PPD experience, this is a yearly event I want to uphold as a way of support and giving back to the moms in my community.

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?

Do what you like. Don’t try to do what you see everyone else doing. Be authentic and unapologetically you. People will find you who love your style just the way it is.

Play around. If it’s supposed to be a creative outlet and you’re not having fun, then what’s the point?

Take the plunge. Reach out to that person you’d love to be your model. What’s the worst they can say, no? Okay, now you can shift your creative juices in a new, maybe even better direction.

How would you describe your ideal client?

People who arrive at sessions wanting to have fun, are able to go with the flow, and express what they want the most out of sessions are the best clients. I love getting to know all whom I photograph, but those who have a whimsical, energetic personality at shoots are where I take the most authentic photos.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

@casslyn.foto Cassidy Bryant

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