Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittani Lilley.
Hi Brittani, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started taking photos in 2016, back in college — nothing fancy, just me and my friends, trying to hold onto memories we knew would slip away too fast. When I moved to North Carolina in 2017, something shifted. I started to realize that photography wasn’t just about pictures — it was about noticing the things most people were too busy to see.
Then I became a mom in 2019, and everything cracked wide open. The way a baby’s hand curls into your shirt. The chaos. The stillness. The love that shows up even when no one’s looking. I didn’t want to stage life — I wanted to honor it.
In 2023, I opened my own studio in Dayton. It became more than just a space — it became a place for people to slow down, breathe, and see themselves the way their people do. Raw, beautiful, and deeply human.
That’s still what drives me. Catching the in-between moments. The glances. The gut laughs. The quiet. The real stuff.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road… but I think that’s what made it all mean more.
There were seasons I felt like I was pouring everything into my work and barely scraping by. Times I questioned if I was cut out for this, especially juggling motherhood and running a business. I didn’t have a big financial backing or a blueprint, just a vision and a camera and a lot of figuring it out as I went.
Opening my studio was a leap. There were months of self-doubt, stress, and learning how to run not just a creative business but a physical space too. But every time I thought about quitting, I remembered why I started… to create something real. To give people photos that felt like them.
And honestly? Every hard part taught me something I needed to know.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a lifestyle photographer with a focus on boudoir and intimate weddings — the quiet, powerful, emotional moments most people miss.
Boudoir is where I get to show women their own power. It’s raw, healing, and deeply personal. I’m not just there to take pretty photos — I’m creating space for women to reconnect with themselves. It’s vulnerable and electric and honestly one of the most rewarding things I get to do.
On the flip side, I also photograph elopements and small weddings. I love the intimacy of it — two people choosing each other with intention, no big production, just real love. I’m drawn to the quiet glances, the way someone’s hand shakes when they say “I do,” the laughter after the kiss. I’m there to catch it all without interrupting the moment.
What sets me apart is how personal I make it. I don’t just show up with a camera — I show up with care, curiosity, and a deep respect for your story. I want my work to feel like truth. Not overly posed. Not overly edited. Just you, in your element.
I’m proud of the space I’ve built for that — in my studio and out in the world.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was super shy. I was the quiet kid — observant, always watching more than talking. But once I hit high school, something shifted. I stopped caring so much about what people thought and started leaning into who I really was. That’s when I found my people, my confidence, and my voice.
I’ve always been drawn to art. I was the girl sketching in notebooks, obsessing over photo collages, and capturing little moments on a disposable camera just because they felt important. Looking back, it makes perfect sense that I ended up where I am now — telling stories through images, finding beauty in the in-between, and helping others feel seen in ways I craved when I was younger.
Pricing:
- Boudoir Sessions start at $500
- Elopements start at $1,200
- Studio Rentals $55/hour
- Portrait Sessions start at $400
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brittanilynnphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studioindayton
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brittanilynnphoto
- Other: https://studioindayton.as.me/
