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

Hi Brianna, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Honestly, I never imagined that starting my own business was in the cards for me. My journey into photography was quite accidental. It all began when my maternal grandfather gave me my first DSLR. As I started exploring the art of photoshoots and creative concepts, Instagram was just starting to gain traction. I remember posting my creative shots there, and soon enough, word spread about my new photography skills. I began receiving inquiries for graduation shoots, family portraits, and eventually weddings, which I completely fell in love with.

In the beginning, turning my passion into a business was challenging. I had no connections and didn’t know any successful wedding photographers in my social circle. Thankfully, I overcame these challenges by joining local Facebook groups, connecting with professionals on Instagram, enrolling in mentorship programs, and investing in my education. These steps helped me learn how to run my own business and find my ideal clients.

Now, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. I wouldn’t trade the freedom I have for anything. Some say running a small business means working 24/7, and while that can be true, for me, nothing compares to the joy of having control over my schedule.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
First and foremost, wedding days are most often an incredible milestone in the human experience, They are full of joy, happy tears, and many other emotions. My art in wedding photography is centered on capturing authentic moments in a creative and artistic way. I am inspired by creating images that allow my clients to remember how the day felt instead of simply how it looked. Black and white coloring really allows me to play off of emotive images in post processing. Film photography has been a creative outlet and I feel those add a lot of character and beauty to the final wedding gallery.

I am still growing and on this journey to level up my branding and photography business, but getting to the position I am in right now has taken a lot of courage, sacrifice and determination. There have been many times where I felt like giving up or felt that I did not have what it takes. I think the greatest limits or fears we have is our own “limiting beliefs.” I think watching others become successful and realizing they struggle with the same things I do has helped me to believe anyone can be successful with the right attitude and mindset.

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 take them to Griffith Observatory because the views are incredible, and because of La La Land! Next visit either the MOMA or the Broad, a few art museums that I know and like. Pop down to Urthe Cafe for their delicious coffee and then head to a concert in the park or the LA summer dance nights. Or visit the LA opera for a show. I also love the Getty Center and think it’s a great place to take visitors.

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?
I would love to Shout Out my grandfather Victor Lerma for being our family documentarian and always showing my cousins and I how moments in time are so important to be captured, We have so many home videos of us growing up because of him. I also am grateful for the support of my parents, my immediate family, my husband and close friends. I never went without a photo assistant. The support of my wedding industry friends have also continued to lift me up and took me places I never thought I would go.

Website: https://briannamari.co

Instagram: @briannamarico

Image Credits
Brianna Mari Co

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