Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Mayne.
Hi Brooke, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was first exposed to photography – as in the art and forethought of images – in high school. What was intended to just check off an elective box on the high school credits list, turned into a deep passion of mine. Most of which, thanks to my teacher who I credit most all of my knowledge to today. I found that not only did constructing quality images come naturally to me, so did the storytelling aspect behind photography. I don’t recall photographing too many human subjects during my 4 years of high school courses, but I dove right in when I graduated and decided to start my small photography business. I chose to embrace what I knew how to do and take it to the next level with real clients. Things just took off! I found that another niche of mine was crafting new, exciting setup ideas/concepts that clients loved. Another key aspect to a successful photography business that challenged the creative side of myself.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like anything else worth doing, photography hasn’t always been easy! I personally believe the photography space is a crowded industry. In a world where quite literally everyone is a photographer (thanks to smartphones and like devices), how do you stand out? That became my number one challenge. Not only to stand out amongst the sea of professional photographers that flood google searches in your area, but also to keep your sessions fresh and new enough to keep clients coming back. It’s also one of the aspects that drives me most – it keeps my creative juices flowing and reminds me every day that anything worth doing is a challenge!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in family photography – more specifically special events (weddings, parties, celebrations, etc.), milestones (cake smashes, etc), and traditional family sessions. A lot of sessions that I do are outside, in natural light. I utilize a wide variety of locations that are all over the DMV, but many sessions are held on the farm where we live – a fully operational beef cattle farm that definitely sets the business apart! I have a studio as well where I conduct sessions throughout the colder months and for milestones, such as cake smashes where more detailed setups and controlled lighting is crucial. One thing that really boosted my small business from the start was live animal mini sessions – specifically baby cow mini sessions. The concept has now taken off but as one of the first photographers in the area to do so, I was able to gain a lot of traction and fast! Now, I have branched out and choose to embrace animals in sessions as often as I can. Not only is it extra special but I also recognize that for some kids, this is as close to agriculture as they’ll ever get! So I try to make it as fun as possible. Over the years, I have done everything from unicorn minis with a real horse, to Easter baby chick minis and baby goat minis too. At the end of the day, I love capturing moments for families and it’s also my patience and willingness to work with kids that sets me apart as well. I treat each client’s children like my own and it’s important to really know them! I enjoy being able to ask how their sports are going, how extracurriculars are, and what they’ve been up to recently! The more personable you can be, the more authentic the smiles!
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was a quiet kid!! Not in a weird way, but just reserved. I loved the outdoors and all things arts and creative. I spent almost everyday after school at dance class – something I really thought I’d spend the rest of my life doing. In my adult life, I think photography took that spot for sure! I’ve been able to take my personality that I maybe bottled up a little bit as a more shy kid and really let it shine now! It’s what takes my business from just a “business” to an extension of me!
Pricing:
- Sessions start at just $150!
- Packages are VERY customizable – I don’t just sell set-in-stone packages.
- Packages are also all inclusive. Lots of people charge a rate for the session and then a cost for photos on top of that. I believe that clients trusting me to capture these memories should have access to ALL images! And that’s what I give them!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.WalnutFarmsPhotography.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Walnut-Farms-Photography-61563861089429/
