Today we’d like to introduce you to Bri Watkins.
Hi Bri, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My father’s side of the family is extremely artistic. My grandmother was a fashion designer in the ’30s and ’40s also a very well-known painter in Grand Rapids MI. My father is also an artist, other aunts and uncles are partners, photographers, poets, etc. I grew up visiting my aunt who had converted a barn into her photography studio. Photoshoots with her are some of my favorite memories little did I know the lasting impression of those days with her in her studio would have on me. I grew up dancing ballet. I became homeschooled to focus on my passion which led me to become professional at the age of 17. I danced ballet professionally for a few years. During this time my brother bought me my first camera for a Christmas gift. With traveling all over he thought it would be cool for me to capture my travels. I then decided I wanted to try something different. I moved back to Florida and I auditioned to be a Tampa Bucs Cheerleader. Guess what? I made it!!!! I joined the team in 2015 and cheered for one season. I was also working for a wedding photographer as her assistant and second shooter! This is how I learned the ins and outs of the wedding photography industry. Cheering and photographing 2 passions 2 hobbies now a job! I then decided I needed another challenge. The next year I decided to not re-join the Bucs but to travel the world on a cruise ship. I danced, sang, and preformed circus acts on Norwegian Cruise Lines for 4.5 years. During this time, I upgraded my camera and lens and was lucky enough to capture beautiful moments around the world such as Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, Serbia, Amsterdam, Morocco, Croatia, Spain, almost every island in the Caribbean, and more. In-between these contracts I would come home and photograph weddings, families, branding for business. Dance was still my #1 passion. I knew I couldn’t dance forever and it was nice knowing I have a career after this ended. Right as I was getting ready to leave to dance in Bora Bora, the next day the world changed forever. Covid hit. flights were canceled, jobs were lost, entertainment as a whole seemed lost forever. During covid, I took a road trip out west to camp and take photos of the gorgeous landscapes! Upon my return to Florida, I decided it was time to take my side hustle into a full-blown company! I have now been full-time photographing for a year, other surprises happened as well. I am now the luckiest woman on earth to be the single mother of a beautiful and healthy baby girl! Everything that is happening in my life now was my 5-year plan. But God had other plans for me and I had no idea how much I would be loving the new life I am living today!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In some ways, it has been smooth in other ways not so much. Just like my dancing career you never know when you’re going to get your next gig or contract. Which can make life a little exciting but also stressful not having the stability of a 9-5 job. Luckily my brand blew up a few years ago and I have a great community that I’m servicing so a lot of people pass on my name!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Besides my dancing career, I’m a Florida-based wedding and portrait photographer. I love capturing LOVE and I also feel the best when I’m able to bring a vision into life. I really believe that my dance background has allowed me to really focus on posing. Dance is all about lines and when you’re capturing a subject it’s the same thing. Making beautiful movements with people and freezing that movement or moment to last a lifetime!
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
To say no. I’ve always have been a people pleaser and going above and beyond for my clients. But, now I’m at the place where I can also choose who I want to work with. I have learned my value as an artist and learned my worth of the past few years. Being an artist, you strive to been seen, and sometimes you will over-extend yourself to make that happen, I have learned to say no and set boundaries with people when it comes to booking and creating art!
Pricing:
- Weddings begin at $2,ooo
- Families begin at $400
- Couples $350
- Portraits $300
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.briwatkinsphoto.com
- Instagram: @briwatkinsphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briwatkinsphoto
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bri-watkins-photography-bradenton
Image Credits
Brittany Lake Photo
Bri Watkins Photo
