My Journey Into Photography
My name is Brittany Porter, owner of Brittany Porter Photography (formerly BPosh Photography) and I’ve been doing photography for a long time—professionally since around 2010. I originally started in video editing for commercials, but my love for photography goes way back. I took film photography in high school and continued in college, spending hours in the darkroom developing prints. Later I transitioned into digital photography and started learning Photoshop.
Even back then, I knew I wanted to do something creative. My dad worked in advertising and graphic design, but that world didn’t quite fit me. I loved editing—both photo and video. There’s something magical about it. I could spend hours immersed in the process, and still feel like there’s always more to learn. That’s what I love about photography—it never gets boring. It keeps me creatively inspired.
If you’d rather listen to the audio version of this post, click here, find Episode 1 of the Better Photos Podcast wherever you listen, or scroll to the bottom of this post.
The Introvert Turned People Photographer
In the beginning, I actually hated talking to people. As an introvert, I thought I’d focus on nature photography—quiet, peaceful, no people involved. But nature doesn’t exactly pay the bills right away.
So I started photographing friends, then ran ads on Craigslist offering to build model portfolios. I even walked around Freedom Park asking people if they wanted photos with their pets. It didn’t last long—kind of sketchy, to be honest—but it got me started.
Then came weddings. I began shooting solo weddings (yikes, no backup memory cards!) and learned a lot the hard way. But everything changed when I had my first child.
The Photos I Missed as a New Mom
When my daughter was born, I wanted photos of her—but I was exhausted. Like I’d just been to war. I didn’t want to be in front of the camera, and I didn’t even feel like picking it up. But I did anyway. I shot her newborn photos myself. The problem? They were in JPEG, and I wasn’t in a single one.
When her birthday rolls around and I want to post a photo, I cringe. The photos are grainy, bad lighting, and worse—none of them show me with her in a way that feels timeless or beautiful. It’s one of my biggest regrets.
So when I had my second child, I hired a photographer. A big step forward, but not quite perfect. I didn’t love my outfit. The timing was a bit off. The baby was a month old and already addicted to a giant pink pacifier. Still better, but not quite “Pinterest-worthy”.
Then came baby number three. This time, I nailed it. I hired a team who specialised in newborns and families. I booked professional hair and makeup (thank you, Sabrina from Look Love), and all I had to do was get dressed, prep the kids, and feed the baby. That experience changed everything for me.
Why I Photograph Mothers (and Why You Should Be in the Picture)
That third experience made me realize how much I missed being in photos as a child—especially with my mom. We had photos from disposable cameras, mostly of my dad, but hardly any with my mom. When I look back, I don’t just miss the images—I miss the memories they could’ve held.
Photos aren’t just snapshots. They create feelings. They freeze memories. They help us remember what life was like at a certain moment. That’s why I care so deeply about helping moms get into the photo.
Whether it’s your baby’s first week, a six-month milestone, Mother’s Day, or your Christmas card shoot—I want you in the frame. I want you to feel beautiful. You deserve that.
For the Moms, the Newbies, and the Curious: What’s Next
Now that I’ve built a career out of helping moms document those early moments, I want to give back. Whether you’re just starting out with a camera you got for Christmas or you’re looking to level up your skills, I’m here for you.
Throughout this podcast and (hopefully soon) a mini course, I’ll be walking you through:
- How to use your camera in manual mode
- How to take sharper, more balanced photos
- How to work with kids and families
- And everything else I’ve learned over the years (and am still learning)
I love newborn photography—always have. There’s a rhythm to it. I don’t have to check the weather, scout a location, or wait for golden hour. It’s simple. I show up, and I help capture something beautiful in a moment that passes way too quickly.
Finding the Right Clients (And Letting Them Find You)
In 2024, I started using ChatGPT to refine my marketing and started attracting more of the right clients. My dream clients are the ones who look at my photos and say: “That’s me.” They love the tones, the emotion, the styling. When that connection happens, it’s magic—for both of us.
Grab my Social Media 101 Business Guide for Photographers Here to find your brand, ideal client, and 30 days of content.
For 2025, I’m focusing even more on that: attracting clients who align with my style, my values, and my love for natural, connected, meaningful photography.
Behind the Scenes: The Real Day-to-Day
Of course, there’s a lot more to running a photography business than taking pretty pictures. There’s editing, marketing, accounting (ugh), and all the other behind-the-scenes stuff. If I’m editing, I’m usually watching Selling Sunset or Real Housewives. If it’s Bridgerton, I’ll need to rewatch because I definitely missed something important.
Ready to Get Off Auto Mode?
If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably ready to learn how to actually use that camera. Good news: this podcast episode (and blog) walks you through your camera settings in manual mode—from shutter speed to aperture to ISO.
Head over to the next blog post: How to Master Your Camera Settings: Manual Mode for Beginners
