Brandy Isadora of Central Phoenix on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Brandy Isadora and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Brandy, 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?
When I’m not working, I enjoy taking dance classes. For the past seven years I’ve been studying belly dance. I love all styles of dance, but belly dance is probably the most challenging form I’ve studied. Not only have I learned a lot about technique, but I’ve also learned to embrace my femininity and develop confidence. The community of dancers and the opportunities I’ve had to perform are incredible. Belly dance has brought me so much joy and fun, and I’m so glad that my mother encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and give belly dance a try.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a photographer and author working in the Phoenix metropolitan area, and I specialize in portraits, headshots, boudoir, and fashion photography. My strength as a photographer is illuminating people’s beauty and unique qualities. Whether I’m photographing a musician or someone working in the corporate world, I know how to create the best portrait for their brand and image. In addition to working with my wonderful clients, I have published two award-winning photography books called Tattle Tales: Tattoo Stories and Portraits and Mannequins: Stories of the First Supermodel. I also published a tarot deck called The Here & Now, which showcases my passion for creating fun and creative photography.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My relationship with my mother shaped how I see myself as an artist. Being in the arts has its ups and downs, and, because my mother is also an artist, she taught me how to navigate life as an artist. I didn’t immediately know where I fit in as a creative, and there were many times when I suffered from doubt and a lack of confidence. My mother gave me some tough love and helped me understand, that in order to create the path for success, I had to first develop confidence and firmly believe in myself. Rejection and competition are common in the arts, and the only way for me to overcome those challenges was to be fully clear on my mission as a photographer and writer, which is to illuminate beauty and create a space for people to be seen and heard.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
While struggling to publish my first book, a wise person told me, “If it were easy everybody would be doing it.” Sometimes the most important things in life bring the most suffering. However, I’ve learned that I can often turn my suffering into a valuable lesson. Not only do I learn new things and gain new tools, but I realize that I’m stronger than I think I am. Success is wonderful, but usually it comes after a period of serious effort and even suffering. I guess you could say that success is the end result of working through the challenges and not letting the suffering take you down.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
I’m really lucky to have such a supportive and talented mother. From the time I was a child, she encouraged my artistic endeavors and to this very day we share ideas with each other. I frequently show her images I’m working on for my creative projects, and she’ll tell me (quite bluntly in fact) what I need to do to make it better. I’ve grown a lot as an artist thanks to her.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I might be in the minority when I admit that I feel most at peace when I’m editing photos. A lot of photographers don’t enjoy the editing process, but I actually love it. It’s like the equivalent for painting for me. When I open an image in Photoshop, I immediately get into this zone where my instincts take over, and I know exactly what I need to do to make the image the best it can be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brandyisadora.com
• Instagram: @brandy_isadora_images
• Linkedin: Brandy Isadora