Meet Lori Bradford | Photographer

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

Hi Lori, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting your own business is intimidating, overwhelming, and can often more times than not make you feel like you are way in over your head. In the beginning, the investment of starting your own business can have more risk than reward. During those beginning phases it is so easy to be discouraged or consumed with fear, but you have to have trust within yourself, starve those fears and self doubt and be confident that what you offer to your community is unique and ensure that the demand is there. It is all about perspective, mindset, drive, and will. I have witnessed so many talented entrepreneurs in my life and have learned from each of them. I was able to take that knowledge and implement it in my own way, and also learn from the things that did not work. I know that this day and age the service I provide is something many have access to, so I had to look deep within and decipher what will set me apart and what I can do to highlight my individuality and provide trust and reassurance with my clients to retain them to want to come back and work with me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Firstly, I believe all of my clients can recognize my love and passion for what I do. This is not just a hobby for me or something to fill the time. This infatuation with photography is something that runs through my DNA. At the end of the day I provide a service for people, and I believe communication goes a long way in this industry. I believe that no photoshoot should look the same. I may have two engagement sessions in the same week, at the same location but you would never know. I think it is important to portray your subjects as they are and highlight their personalities and what they emulate. It is crucial to communicate with your clients so you can best understand their vision and customize their session so that it is true and authentic to who they are. It wasn’t easy to get where I am today. I have had setbacks, but it is important to use each setback as fuel and momentum to succeed in your goals rather than wallowing in your failures. Complacency is a very dangerous attribute and if there is one piece of advice I can give is to never get too comfortable. Always push yourself to learn and try new methods and step outside of your comfort zone. The more versatile you are, the less limited you are.

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.
Sadly I have never made my way over to the West Coast! I know I am missing out and hope to get to experience it soon! When I do, I would definitely be the one that would need some assistance and an itinerary when it comes to LA. I am sure I would slightly be out of my element visiting such a large city with so much to offer!!

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 like to dedicate this Shoutout to my grandfather, Randolph Bradford. He has been my life’s greatest inspiration and dedicated the last years of his life mentoring me and sharing his vast knowledge and experience to equip me with realistic expectations and awareness in order to be successful. Born during the Great Depression, he became a local photographer for our town’s local newspaper. Enlisted in WWII, he served as an aerial photographer and mainly captured photographs of army bases. He then ventured on his own and started his own Studio, and had an extremely successful career photographing weddings, portraits, presidents, political figures, celebrities, school annuals, and so much more. He lived through so many monumental moments of history, and while he is no longer living his work and the legacy he left lives on. I can’t tell you how many times I have been stopped by strangers for them to tell me “Your Grandfather captured my wedding!” or “Your Grandfather took my family portraits hanging in my living room!” I think the impact and impression he made on his community is admirable and motivates me to make the same impact. I will never forget as a young girl sneaking into his office being in awe of every square inch of wall space being covered in various photographic awards and achievements. He excelled in his career and his accomplishments are a true testament of his dedication and drive.

Instagram: @bradfordphotography___

Image Credits
Lori Bradford