We had the good fortune of connecting with Bleu Magdalena Briggs and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bleu Magdalena, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I fell in love with photography at a very young age, cutting out pictures from magazines of images that moved me and I used to tape them to my wall. At the time I was too young to realize the actual composition and shadow and light of these pictures was what made me want to look at them, not just the pretty faces or makeup.

It wasn’t until years later working as a makeup artist and stylist for photographers that made me realize what it took to create a great image and I wanted to be behind the camera composing a great image.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I love photography. I do all types, but, I suppose weddings and boudoir are a specialty and they keep me busy. I love to help women feel beautiful. Women, in general, are busy giving everything they have to their careers, children, partners, and tend to neglect themselves in the process; seeing their value only through the eyes of their kids and partners. My dedication is in creating an experience and an image that can help a woman I am photographing feel like a model in her own shoot, and see herself like I do in that moment, as art.
I want people to realize that they deserve a great photograph of themselves what ever the occasion may be. A photograph from a professional photographer is not a mundane replica image of their face, filtered at the push of button after 50 tries at a selfie. It is a piece of art that the artist studied to bring out the best of you through shadow and light.

Biggest challenges I’ve faced in this career.

My biggest challenges have been believing in myself enough and constantly in order to properly sell myself and my brand.
That stems from growing up in the low income inner cities of LA.
I couldn’t say out loud that I wanted to be an artist or a photographer because when I did I was teased and laughed at. Adults would say in Spanish, “Who does she think she is?”
My takeaway was that as a girl you were supposed to hope for a good job until you find a husband and have babies and not want for yourself.
There was a big “Us vs Them” mentality growing up, and that kept the day dreaming extremely limited. 
 
I fight through that way of thinking still, but I press on working on evolving out of it by surrounding myself with other creatives and self healing.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I would start the morning with coffee at Javatinis in Seal Beach and a beach stroll.
Visit seahorses at the Aquarium of the Pacific, then set out to San Pedro and put some flowers on Bukowski’s grave.
Next would be a late lunch at Guelaguetza to eat authentic Oaxacan food. 
For dessert, I would suggest going to downtown LA and riding Angel’s flight to the Grand Central Market for a cup of fresh cut fruit at La Fruteria. Also, visit the surrounding bars, I would start with La Cita, ask the bartenders what their specialty is and repeat at different bars.
Dinner would be at Messhall Kitchen in Los Feliz then dancing at The Monty.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My school teachers deserve all the shoutouts. From Mrs. Kubal at Mark Keppel High to Photojournalism Professor and Media Arts Department Chair, at Pierce College, Jill Connelly.

Website: www.burnitbleuphotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burnitbleu/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/burn-it-bleu-photography-los-angeles-2

Image Credits
All images photographed by Bleu Magdalena Briggs.

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