Brianna Anderson is the owner of Brianna Anderson Photography, who specializes in maternity and newborn photography. Her work captures a truly special time in a woman’s life, making them feel beautiful and giving them memories to cherish forever. Read more about Brianna…
Hometown: Born and raised in Southern California, now a local of Scottsdale Arizona for 11 years!
First job: Oh this is s fun story!! My first “real” job (outside of the usual local babysitting jobs in my neighborhood) was as a restaurant hostess when I was 15 years old. My family had recently moved to Northern California for a few years for my dad’s job, and a brand new restaurant was getting ready to open just down the street from my neighborhood. Not even being able to drive yet, my dad took me to my first-ever job interview, where I nervously met with the manager and the restaurant owners. As awkward as I must have been at the ripe old age of 15, they hired me! Turns out the restaurant was a small local gem called Johnny Garlic’s, and my boss was the owner, Guy Fieri!! It was obviously years and years before he became a big name on the Food Network, but it’s pretty fun to say that he was my first boss!
Favorite AZ restaurant: My husband and I recently discovered Second Story a few years ago, and I’m kicking myself for not having discovered it sooner! To me, it is the perfect evening escape. The dining room is small and intimate, with rich wood bookshelves, dim lighting, and cozy booths. I believe on most weekend nights, they have live jazz music playing, and the entire space feels like a little hidden speakeasy bar from the 1920’s. The drinks are handmade to perfection, and the menu is incredible! Our favorite is the beer bread, but they change it all the time, so you have to go before the menu changes!
Person who has impacted your life the most: Is it cliche to say my husband? Because far and away, he has. Being accepted, loved and supported as exactly the person you are each day, is the most incredible feeling in the world. He sees me for me- faults and all. We have been together since we were 19 years old, so we have certainly grown together quite a bit. We literally became adults together, parents together, and everything else life brings, in between. I can be fiery, passionate and emotional, and he brings a sense of calm and patience to my life. He helps me to see things from a different perspective, when I am stubbornly refusing to admit when I’m wrong. He challenges me to be a better person each day, and he’s the most wonderful dad to our two kids, than I could have ever asked for. He picked up my broken pieces when I suddenly lost my dad a year and a half ago, and he helped me put one foot in front of the other for a while. And most importantly, he makes me laugh! There is no one I know that can make me laugh like I do when we are together. After almost 15 years of marriage together, I can honestly say that patience and laughter is key!
Your biggest accomplishment in your eyes: Oh this is an easy one. There is nothing I am more proud of, than my children Bella & Tyler. Of all the roles I have played in my life, even my two occupations as a Neonatal ICU nurse and a small business owner of a successful photography business, they are my greatest accomplishment! I think it’s fair to say that I feel like I’m failing 90% of the time. You always feel like you could be doing more, or you could have taught them something in a different way… but when you see them make good decisions without your involvement, or show compassion for others all on their own volition, it brings me to tears!
The biggest obstacle you have overcome: I’m going to have to be honest here, and say that I am still overcoming a very difficult obstacle. I lost my dad pretty suddenly and unexpectedly in Spring of 2015. My entire world was shaken to it’s core, and I struggled to come to terms with what was happening, while helping my kids grieve and keep our family going, as well and deal with my own grief along with my sister and my mom. I took some time off work, and I worked hard to find what it meant to have a “new normal”. I came to find that it isn’t so much of a “new normal” as it is just “new”. It’s a new family dynamic, and new way of celebrating holidays, and new way of moving on with life. It may never feel normal. The grief sank into unexpected areas of my life, especially into my creativity and love of photography. I felt like a zombie when I went back to work, trying to go through the motions, but feeling completely void of inspiration. It took a lot of support from my family, my friend, and daily prayer to pull me through what was the hardest time of my life. When I started to slowly heal, my passion and inspiration came back in my work. My dad was always so proud of everything I did, and I like to think he’s beaming with pride as I move forward!
Someone who inspires you: I am constantly finding new source of inspiration, and right now I have been super inspired by the works of Ben Sasso. I am attracted to artists who show a lot of true emotion in their images. I love wind, movement, and the feelings of true emotion and passion that come through in just a single photograph.
Favorite quote: I do not have a favorite quote. But I do have a favorite bible verse!
“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Choose an area of photography that inspires you. Something that makes you excited at each and every session. Your work and your creativity will be at its best when you are passionate about it.
What makes someone fabulous: Confidence. I can spot it in someone right away! I’m talking about that quiet, internal confidence, that is the perfect balance of humility and self-assurance. Someone who is confident with who they are, confident in their own skin, or confident in their work. It’s magnetic!
Learn more about Brianna Anderson and her work at briandersonphotos.com.
