Today we’d like to introduce you to Britany Maxwell.
Britany, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I grew up always loving and looking at photographs. I remember seeing a beautiful black & white portrait of NYC (the Brooklyn Bridge) I think I was around 11 or so, and that’s when I really fell in love with photographs. I hung that picture on my wall for yearsss, even all through high school it hung there on the wall. I remember watching movies like The Parent Trap and Stepmom and just thinking how cool these women were who were photographers and had their own studios. I guess I always appreciated creative people and have always loved art.
Fast forward, I ended up going to college and taking a photography class where you would go into the dark room and watch your photos develop. It was so interesting to me! But, at the same time, I really wanted to be a teacher and be around kids, so I put photography on the back burner and graduated with an Early Childhood Education degree. I ended up teaching 2nd grade for three years and then got married. I wanted that “All-American” life I guess. If I am being honest, I felt pressure from society to get married young, have kids, and have a “good” and respectable job.
One day, things just began to shift internally. My life just wasn’t making sense to me. I started pulling away from things and I knew and losing passion for teaching. Deep down, I knew this was NOT the life for me.
I decided to get a cheap Nikon camera in the midst of these feelings. I started photographing my dogs, my friends, nature, anything nearby. I realized how much I enjoyed it, and that I was kind of decent at it haha. I started promoting myself by making an Instagram and Facebook page and booked really cheap shoots. I even booked a wedding and got paid $400 for my first one. Crazy right?!
I self-taught myself how to use a camera on manual, I self-taught myself everything really. I remember sitting and watching YouTube videos for hours and taking notes. Google was my best friend too. I attended workshops along the way which were amazing and I highly recommend them! I have built long lasting relationships with the photographers and women I met at them as well.
In the midst of this exciting career change, my marriage changed. I had an epiphany and knew that we were not meant to be together, so after a few hard months, we divorced. I went from being a married teacher to a single photographer and I really couldn’t be happier. My life dramatically changed in a year, but that was my path.
Here I am, I have photographed 50+ weddings, just bought a house this year and paid off my car. Traveled to Europe for three weeks, by myself and met a bunch of strangers just because I had wanted to go for so long. I guess I have had a lot of signs from above.
Route 91 happened last year and I attended the festival. Believe it or not, I got a wristband from a client an hour before the festival only to be shot in the foot with shrapnel. I was meant to be there. It just reminds me that any day can really be our last so I hope you’re living the life you want to be living and a life that you LOVE.
Following your passion & heart is truly the most important thing I have to say here. 🙂
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I am a wedding photographer! My style is moody, romantic, and warm. Other than couples, I also photograph families and maternity.
I am an artistic person and I feel free in this career. Like it’s exactly what I was meant to do.
One thing I hope people take away is how I made them feel. The feeling they had when I photographed them, the love they share, and treasure their photos for years to come.
What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
Being an artist has connected me to so many other people, other creative souls that I have come to know and love. This community is truly amazing! I have made three best friends that I talk to constantly from attending workshops! I feel so blessed. I actually would have been more lonely being a teacher 100%.
I recommend artists collaborating with other artists in their area, going to coffee, attending gatherings, workshops, etc. Supporting and respecting one another’s work. Community is sooo so important.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My Instagram @thelightandthelove
My website www.thelightandthelove.com
They can support me by following my work and genuinely just liking and enjoying it! Booking me wouldn’t hurt either haha.
Contact Info:
- Address: Las Vegas, NV
- Website: http://thelightandthelove.com
- Phone: 7024266484
- Email: thelightandthelovephoto@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelightandthelove/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelightandthelove/?ref=bookmarks
Image Credit:
Behind the scenes – @snapdragonstudioslv, Kirsten Wender
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
