Life & Work with Amanda Brisco

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Brisco. 

Hi Amanda, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Owning a business was never a thought. I didn’t grow up with a camera in hand. My husband gifted me a camera for Christmas back in 2012 to take pictures of our young sons. I immediately fell in love with the process of photographing and editing. At the time, I was a stay-at-home mom, wanting something more. I decided to take that new love and go for something more. 

I took every class I could take to learn the basics. I reached out to friends and family to practice taking photos and to build a portfolio. In May of 2013, I created a business Facebook page and a website and officially started my business. By August of that year, I decided to become a full-time wedding photographer. 

Within a year of business, I was photographing close to 30 weddings per year and was published in online articles as well as local Pittsburgh print publications, such as Whirl Magazine and Pittsburgh Weddings Magazine. I was a full-time wedding photographer until 2019 when I felt a shift in my passion. I loved talking to other business owners and beautifully branded websites. 

After working with a couple of fellow business owners on their own branded photos and some product images, I quickly fell in love. I knew that was where I wanted to take my business and so I started over. I reached out to more business owners, created a portfolio, and began advertising for branding and product imagery. 

By 2020, mid-pandemic, I opened my own photography studio and became a brand and product photographer, working full time with small businesses and personal brands to create custom branded imagery and engaging content for their websites and social media. 

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?
It definitely has not been! Being a business owner is not an easy task. I didn’t know anyone who owned a small business when I started and so not knowing who or where to ask the questions about marketing, advertising, websites, finances, etc., was stressful. I started looking at networking groups, in-person classes and connecting with other photographers and business owners in the area. I hired a mentor to help me with the big questions. 

I have found that staying consistent, surrounding yourself with a solid support system, setting goals, doing the hard work, and working through the struggles is what really creates success in business. When I felt a shift in my passion from wedding photography, I didn’t quite know where I wanted to take my business at first and even considered closing it altogether. I worked through the struggle and found my way, failing a lot along the way, but I still found my way. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a brand and product photographer for small businesses and personal brands. I help my clients market their businesses and brands through intentional branded imagery and engaging content. 

I have a strong passion in connection. I believe that connecting with my clients is what creates the perfect branded imagery. People like people, and personality is key is marketing your business. I strive to bring that out in all of my sessions. I pride myself in taking the time to learn about my clients, their business, and their target market to effectively create that branded imagery that they need. The planning process for my sessions and even with my own marketing is not about me or my business, but about them. I lead my business with serving and place a high importance on customer service. 

What’s next?
My plan for the future is to keep working and building my business! I am looking to expand my market outside of the Pittsburgh area in hopes of traveling within the next year. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.AmandaBriscoPhotography.com
• Instagram: @amandabriscophotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/A.BriscoPhotography

Image Credits
Amanda Brisco Photography, LLC