We recently had the chance to connect with Brittany O’Brien and have shared our conversation below.
Brittany , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think all of us struggle with finding purpose in life. I think we all want to find our calling. I know that I’ve asked many times what my purpose is, whether it be helping somebody or accomplishing goals; I think we all just want to find our purpose. Some of us are lucky enough to find it, and when we do, the only thing most important is how we choose to use it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Brittany. I’m a 29-year-old full-time travel photographer specializing in weddings, birth stories, couples, and families. On weekdays, I also offer drone photography to local real estate agents. When I started photography, I didn’t know where it would lead, but I wanted to take it as far as it would go. I didn’t limit what I offer because I always wanted to try new things and be available to anyone needing my services. Some photographers specialize in just one area, whether weddings or newborns, and if that’s what brings them joy, that’s great. However, I’m someone who loves to continuously challenge myself to try new things and become the best version of myself. I told myself I’d do it, and I did, without limits. At 19 years old, I moved to Texas without a plan or an instruction manual, more of a leap of faith, trusting in God’s plan. I knew I had an interest in photography, and though I didn’t start off well, which was discouraging, I was determined to continuously push myself to become better. I joined workshops, surrounding myself with encouraging people. Even when I doubted myself, I offered free photo shoots to locals in exchange for advertising my business and reviews. Before I knew it, people were reaching out to me because they had heard by word of mouth that I was someone they wanted to work with. I love making people laugh and leaving them better than I found them. I think my passion for making people happy comes from my own life trials, not always being the happiest. I have personally struggled with my own mental and physical health, and I find that making somebody else happy brings me the most joy. When I was 14, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. It took them weeks to figure out what was wrong with me, and by the time they did, I had lost 68% of my blood. When they finally gave a diagnosis, I had two blood transfusions, numerous medical tests, and that was just the start of a long journey. For four years, I underwent seven major surgeries, including two failed surgeries, one of which landed me in a coma for three weeks. While my friends were enjoying high school and making memories, I was fighting for my life, which came with a lot of mental and physical pain. But I was never really given the option other than to push to be better. After years of switching between doctors, we came across a doctor in Cleveland; we flew from Northern California to Cleveland, Ohio, where I met a doctor who not only saved my life but transformed it. At the time, they were talking about amputating my legs due to complications; this doctor sent me in for surgery and told me that not only was he going to try to ultimately save my life with a miracle surgery, but he was going to give me the chance of living life again. After a 14-hour surgery, that’s exactly what he did. He told me that life is for living. And ever since then, I’ve preached that to everyone I meet. Life is never promised tomorrow, but while we have it, it’s for living. So I hold onto that, and I tell everyone, ‘Life is for Living,’ and we live fully through every photo shoot.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
There have been many moments that I’ve been proud of myself, but I think the most powerful one was when I proudly showed off my scars after so long of not feeling beautiful and hiding them. I learned to embrace them because beauty was found within; it wasn’t external. I think I’ve always struggled with my image ever since high school. I started off at 95 pounds before I got sick, and within three weeks, I had gained over 200 pounds from medication that was ultimately saving my life. I became unrecognizable not only to my classmates but also to myself. Such a short amount of time was truly a huge mental battle that I struggled with. Beauty on the outside can only get you so far; I think it’s very powerful to embrace the scars and the story because it made me who I am today, and it’s a mark proving that even through the battles that seemed impossible, I overcame them. So, I think that anytime I doubt myself with photography or any life challenge, I kind of chuckle and think, ‘Girl, you’ve been through worse; this is a piece of cake.’ I think this is a huge part of why I like to make people feel beautiful and understood because I myself have not always felt that way. And I think that is powerful to be able to empathize with people.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I think that if I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be that even on the days you don’t feel strong, you are being built into somebody who is ultimately going to use that strength to help somebody else feel beautiful and overcome obstacles. Your strength is going to change the world, and you don’t need everything to be easy; all you need is what’s possible.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think one of the biggest lies the industry tells photographers is that it tries to have us keep up with trends, the perfect image, and what’s cool right now. I think what makes my work different is that I like to be authentic. Just be yourself and give people the experience of something real.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I aspire to leave a legacy where my life, though imperfect, is remembered for maximizing every opportunity with joy and purpose, spreading beauty and smiles wherever I go. I hope people see how precious life is and that each moment should be cherished. And I hope everybody always lives life to the fullest.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wildloversphotography.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: wildloversphotography
- Facebook: WL Photo Co.
Image Credits
@wildloversphotography
