Meet Breana Otey | Beauty and Fashion Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Breana Otey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Breana, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
There have been MANY times in my career where I wanted to throw in the towel and move on from photography, but for me personally I knew that I needed to continue when my thoughts kept going back to photoshoot ideas and my dream jobs. We all want to be successful and make sure our bills are paid, but It’s also important to listen to your body and mental health. If you need a break, relax. If the passion is still there, keep going at your own pace, it’s not a race.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think this question is hard for me to answer because I hear other photographer stories and they have this amazing story of who they represent in their work and have a clear vision of where they fit in the photo world, but I truthfully am still figuring out my personal style. I have learned how to make a living in photography working with e-commerce brands and modeling agencies, but my dream is to work in the commercial space with beauty and fashion brands. My challenges are to stop overthinking things and have fun with my work. All I know is that I love photography. When I’m doing my creative shoots and working with likeminded creatives/professionals I get a rush that is so addicting! I have no better words to explain it, but it’s such a beautiful feeling to create images where you stop and say “wait, I did that?!”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I work a lot! So, I might not be the most up to date person on the “it spots”. But I do know how to romanticize my days from time to time. On a perfect day, we would get up early for a hot yoga sesh at Modo Yoga, then head over to Stagger coffee for a matcha run ( their double matcha is top tier), for lunch we would keep things light and go to Gracias Madre on Melrose (such a vibe and food is very tasty for being a vegan spot). Walk good LA has some really cool day events so that’s where we would probably hang out for a bit. I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to take my bestie to my favorite “get-away” in LA Before the sun sets, we’re heading to Silverlake meadow and enjoying a cute picnic or a few glasses of wine. and to end the night we’re going to Lost in downtown LA because I’m just a chill girl in her 30’s. I love that I can dance and take a seat when I want without the hassle of dealing with booth sections.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So, I have a few… First, I would have to thank Photographer Lara Jade! I came across her fashion photography book at Barnes and Nobel years ago ( pre social media days). I was doing fashion shoots on my own with friends just for fun and then after reading her book I learned that a world existed for professional women photographers. That’s when I saw that I could make photography into a career not just a hobby. Secondly would be my mom. No matter what, she supported all of my ideas through and through. She bought my first few cameras to get started. And of course my friends. I have had some great highs and some low lows and they have been my loudest cheerleaders. I think a lot of us creatives are really sensitive when it comes to our work, so it’s important to have a great support system to give you trusted feedback and encouragement.

Website: https://breanaotey.com

Instagram: @Breanaotey