An Inspired Chat with Brittany Lee of Phoenix

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Brittany Lee. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Brittany, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I’ve recently gotten back into weight lifting! I love feeling stronger and challenging myself physically and mentally. I’m finding that the overall benefits of weight lifting are so rewarding and worth the struggle.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Brittany Lee, a freelance photographer here in Phoenix. I specialize in portraiture, live music, fashion, and most recently, commercial photography. My main goal with my photography is to make people happy with gorgeous photography that speaks to them personally, whether it’s just someone being totally completely themselves, or candidly capturing them doing what they love. It’s important to be able to look back at photos and remember the moment it was taken, who we were in that moment, how we felt… I love holding space for that process because it’s different every time. Every client I work with is different and so I try to just vibe with the natural energy they’re bringing without trying to change anything about who they are.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
When I was little, I was painfully shy and introverted, and because I dealt with bullying and ostracization at times, I believed it was best to hide myself away from the world out of fear of judgment or ridicule. I spent most of my childhood, teenage, and even some of my college years intentionally keeping a low profile so as not to raise too much attention to myself. I never thought I would grow up to be someone who would be capable of putting myself out there to make new friends and connections, much less share my art publicly. There are still times when I feel self-conscious and worry about how I’m being perceived, but I’ve learned over the years to embrace these feelings and remind myself that these are not bad thoughts to have. They just mean I have a little more inner work to do. As it relates to photography, I think people want to see my art, and it deserves to be shared, so I try to push aside the negative self-talk and “do it scared.”

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I’ve had several moments over the years where I seriously questioned what the point really was. What’s the point of being a photographer? Why should I share my work? Why should I continue? What’s my purpose in doing this? And usually all it takes is some time to pass before my heart calls me back to doing what I love to do. The root of why I chose photography as my artistic medium is because I care about documenting moments as they happen, and I’m just fascinated by this art form. I love photographing, and I love viewing others’ photography. The imposter syndrome can be intense sometimes and that alone has caused me to almost quit on multiple occasions. I just tell myself, at the end of the day, I’m putting good out into the world, whether it’s through my photography or just being a kind, caring person. That’s what makes it worth it for me.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
This is an interesting question! I try to show up as authentically “me” as I possibly can. Touching on a previous question, I tend to be a little private and introverted, but I’ve learned through the years that the people who see me and love me for who I truly am are the *only* people I want in my life. I’m not interested in pretending to be someone else to get people to like me. In the past I’ve tried to cram myself into certain boxes to fit in better, but now, I just don’t have the patience for that. I know that by being myself, I attract people who appreciate that, and anyone who doesn’t, just doesn’t have a place in my life (and that is completely fine!) As a photographer, showing up as who I genuinely am as a person translates to a client experience that I’ve received a lot of great feedback on. My clients say I’m gentle, reassuring, patient, calming, and sometimes a little goofy and whimsical. The people I’m close to who see me in my regular daily life have said the same.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I take time away from all the electronics and “noise” of life and just sit quietly with my thoughts. I try to do that at least once a day and incorporate some breathing exercises and prayer to bring myself back to my center. I used to struggle deeply with silence, but now I thrive in it. Oftentimes when I meditate I envision myself in some sort of nature scene, and I never feel more peaceful than in those quiet moments. Other than that, actually physically being in nature is incredibly calming and grounding for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bleephotoaz.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/b.leephoto

Image Credits
Image 1 – Morgan Addison, model
Image 2 – @crochetbycy crochet piece at Artdillo Eclectic @artdillo.eclectic
Image 3 – Antoinette Ukpe, model
Image 4 – Chel Isabella, owner of @chillxchel
Image 5 – Shannon Love, owner of Shannon Love LLC