Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittney Strawn and Ashlee Russell.
Brittney and Ashlee, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Ashlee: I have always loved taking pictures, when I was a teenager I would carry my little pink camera around everywhere I went, I’d capture every moment out with my friends and family. After high school, I became a nanny. I was working for a family that had two beautiful daughters. Their parents left a camera for me to take pictures of their babies grow while they were at work.
I, of course, didn’t just take photos. I made a photo shoot out of everything. They loved the pictures and suggested I should be a photographer. They let me borrow their camera to learn with. They even installed photoshop on my computer. I fell in love with photography, it’s my passion, so they help me purchase my first camera and it was on from there. I am so thankful they helped me find my passion.
Brittney: As a teenager, I was always the one taking pictures at family events and birthday parties. Everyone always handed me the camera. I enjoyed it so much! I loved capturing candid moments and then showing them the photo and watching them smile, It made me so happy! This is where my love of photography started.
After I graduated high school, I married my high school sweetheart. About a year later we welcomed our first son into the world! He was so precious, I wanted photos at every milestone. I would take him to a studio and have them done. Then come back home and redo them myself, with my own camera. That’s when my husband said, “Why do you keep paying for photos that you can do yourself?” So, I decided he was right. I decided I wanted to really do this.
Not just as a hobby, but as a career. And it just slowly progressed into a few bookings here and there. Then, I was asked by a friend to photograph her wedding. I was terrified, but head over heels excited! From the first wedding I photographed, I was hooked! I love the romance! Being able to photograph a bride marrying the love of her life and all the emotion! I truly love what I do!
We, Brittney and Ashlee, are cousins as well as being super close as friends. We are also neighbors. We were both working, separately, pretty steadily gaining clients and one day we just thought this would be so fun to do this as a team! And Two Southern Graces Photography was born! We have the most amazing chemistry, with our style and communication! Makes every session and wedding a blast! Two is always better than one! We have so much fun! We both share the same passion for photography!
Has it been a smooth road?
Honestly, it has been a pretty smooth road. (Knock on wood!). We have such an amazing chemistry! Our styles in shooting and editing are so very similar! Where one of us lacks the other excels. We have been very blessed!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Two Southern Graces Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
For us, it’s about capturing the important moments, details, and emotions. We understand how important it is to have these moments captured to share with your future children and grandchildren. We consider ourselves to emotional storytellers. We stay away from the fads and stick to a classic style. We believe in quality.
All of our packages include two experienced photographers. Two photographers give us the opportunity to get more perspective. This makes our albums more detailed and they really tell the entire story.
Where do you see your industry going over the next 5-10 years? Any big shifts, changes, trends, etc?
With the day and age we are living in with social media it is anyone’s guess. I know in the past 5-10 years the photography business has changed so much. In wedding photography, the best emotional storytellers with marketing skills will be the ones who grow and prosper.
It’s the photographer who not only tells the best “stories” with their photography but the one who treats their clients as family. With so many people picking up cameras out there, it will be your ability to build an emotional bond with your prospective clients that will put you way over your competition. Brides are looking for an emotional story-telling photographer.
Pricing:
- Wedding Packages $1299 – $3199
- Family Session $169
- Bridal Session $199
- Engagement Session $169
- Senior Session $199
Contact Info:
- Website: www.twosoutherngraces.com
- Phone: 936-524-3622
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/2southerngraces
Image Credit:
Two Southern Graces Photography
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