Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Breeden.
Hi Courtney, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Photography has always been a part of my life — starting with a simple disposable camera. After taking my first photography class in high school, I was dead set on pursuing a degree at SCAD — an art and design school based in Georgia. But, life happened, as it does, and that certainty turned into ‘maybe one day.’ I went on to pursue a degree in Early-Childhood Education, and shortly after, I made a pivot to instead pursue a degree in Religion with an emphasis on Biblical and Theological Studies and Christian Counseling. Upon finding myself in the midst of some financial hardship(s), I wasn’t able to finish school — and that’s okay!
From here, I began a career in the events industry. Working as a Design and Sales Associate for a design company, I partnered with wedding / corporate event planners, brands, and individuals to provide curated services and rentals. While the HQ for the company was based here in Nashville, they had another office in Atlanta, and that’s where I was based out of for about one year. As of March 2020, my husband and I were able to make the move — making Nashville our home! Unfortunately, our move coincided with the pandemic, resulting in me losing that job just eight months later.
COVID-19 brought forth many emotions, feelings, and tremendous isolation — as I’m sure everyone else experienced, too. It also really forced me to focus on re-evaluating my career, my life, and what I actually wanted. It was my husband, Andrew, who really encouraged me to pick back up and pursue my dream(s) again. So, with a DSLR my former co-worker graciously allowed me to borrow, until I was able to purchase my own, I began on the journey that I’m on now.
It’s surreal getting to do something that I love — being creative and a storyteller. Getting here has looked nothing like I thought it ever would — I didn’t even think I would have anything to do with photography ever again for that matter, but I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything. Creating beautiful things is all I’ve ever wanted to do, so to be here, building a business, and sharing my passions and gifts with the world, is so, so special.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh, it definitely hasn’t been — it’s honestly been anything but smooth.
Capturing photographs is only a sliver of what it means to be a business owner / self-employed, so navigating that side of things has been a whirlwind. Starting out, and honestly, even to this day, it’s also quite easy to fall into the trap of comparison with the many other photographers out there, and feel like you’re either failing, not good enough, or both. I have to remind myself constantly to slow down — to realize that what I’m most likely comparing is my chapter two to another photographer’s chapter thirty-five, that being a beginner is and can be a beautiful thing/everyone absolutely has to start somewhere and to remember why I fell in love with photography in the first place. There is, without a doubt, enough room at the table for each of us in our respective fields — each person also brings forth a different perspective, so no two photographers can ever capture the same subject/image in the same way.
The road hasn’t been smooth, but I’m thankful for the obstacles and challenges faced — they make the milestones, wins, and everything as a whole, just that much sweeter.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a photographer — a creative and a storyteller. I photograph people, interiors. brands, and spaces; I love capturing photos of honestly any and everything.
With a deep fascination for light, movement, and clean lines, I primarily collaborate alongside businesses, brands, and designers to create beautiful imagery that will cultivate inspiration and memorable emotion(s). Drawing from my heavy influence of Scandinavian-inspired design, I focus on the quality of the details, visual simplicity, and daylight — balancing these to create an authentic experience.
I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve kept going. As I previously mentioned, comparison (and honestly, imposter syndrome, too) is something that I have struggled with and sometimes still do. Realizing that I’ve been my biggest obstacle at times, has really given me a shift in perspective and opened my eyes — it’s been a way to remind myself, again, to go back and remember why I fell in love with photography in the first place. Looking back and seeing how far I’ve come is such a gift. I’ve grown in so many ways, and I have even more to learn, but I did it, and I’m doing it.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my favorite memories that come to mind, is being creative with my mom! She taught me how to scrapbook, crochet, emboss, and so much more. It was always such fun and something that I looked forward to doing together. I certainly like to think that I get my creativity from my sweet mom!
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@courtneybreeden.co
- Website: https://www.courtneybreeden.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtney__breeden/
