Brianna Parks, owner of Brianna Parks Photography, is a 22-year old elopement photographer who specializes in elopements in micro-weddings with under 25 guests.
In 2018, after getting married and struggling to find happiness in her major, Brianna decided to pick up the camera and teach herself everything it takes to run a successful business.
Three years later, Brianna is specializing in elopements along the West Coast and the United States and pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. She plans and perfects each couple’s elopement to make sure it’s uniquely them.
What is Brianna Parks Photography all about?
Brianna Parks Photography is all about making a wedding day meaningful and personalized. My brand is all about making sure I’m educating and helping my couple’s realize the value of eloping over having a big, traditional wedding.
When starting my business, I knew I didn’t want to just show up and take pictures. I wanted to be much more involved in the planning process to help my couples have the least stressful and best experience possible, which is why I offer complete planning assistance.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you started your business?
When I first began college, I started out as a pre-med major. In high school, I obtained a medical assistance license, so going into college, I thought I wanted to stay within the medical field and pursue graduate school. However, after my first semester, I realized how creatively unfulfilled and unhappy I was.
After much thought, I decided to switch my major. I switched it around a few times before finally landing on Sociology. While pursuing my degree, I was still stuck on how I could be creatively fulfilled.
One day, I was at home studying for a test when I took a break and began watching YouTube videos. When a photography video popped up in my recommended, I watched it and had an instant feeling that I needed to pick up a camera again. While I wasn’t serious about photography in high school, I loved it and found it to be very therapeutic for me.
Using all the money we had in our bank account, my husband and I headed to Target to purchase a small DSLR camera. Through much hard work, I’m where I’m at today and couldn’t imagine not doing photography.
How has the pandemic affected you or your new business?
While the pandemic caused me to lose a ton of money and almost killed my business, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Before the pandemic, I shot large, traditional weddings for two years. As soon as the pandemic hit, I knew I needed to figure something out to help me stay afloat.
I noticed that many couples were choosing to have smaller weddings due to government restrictions. I had always wanted to shoot smaller weddings, but I was too scared to make the jump. However, I decided to take the leap and focus on small weddings and elopements.
It was the best decision I ever made.
What were the top mistakes you made starting your business and what did you learn from it?
There were a ton of mistakes I made when I first started my business. However, the biggest one was caring about what other people thought.
Caring about other’s opinions set me back and stunted my growth. Instead of fully embracing my new career path, I was often silent and compared myself to others. Looking back, I realized it was the biggest mistake I’ve made in my business. I’ve learned now more than ever that if you’re passionate about something and really want something, it shouldn’t matter what other people think.
What is one thing that you do daily to grow as an entrepreneur?
Be lazy.
We’re a society of people who are constantly busy, constantly working on new innovations, and that can be very draining and even toxic when we start comparing ourselves to those in different chapters.
I always make sure to carve out a time in my day to be “lazy” whether that’s watching a tv show, scrolling through social media, or even just lying down and doing nothing.
What is the one thing you wish you knew before starting your business?
What my marketing strategy was going to be.
I thought social media was the only way I would be able to showcase my work. However, learning SEO was something that launched my business off the ground and something I wish I learned before diving head-first into an already saturated market.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
Providing free knowledge through SEO. It’s how I get most of my bookings. By providing free knowledge to my clients, it makes them trust me.
What’s your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
Niche down and become the expert.
Most people have the misconception that niching down will provide them with fewer clients, and while that can be true, niching down will land you your dream clients and allows you to become a master at your craft.
What is your favorite quote?
“You should never regret anything in life. If it’s good, it’s wonderful. If it’s bad, it is experience.”
How do you personally overcome fear?
I personally overcome fear by talking about it. Most business owners are busy, especially in the beginning. There is a lot of new and uncertainty with starting a business, and one of the best things you can do is talk it out.
I personally go to my husband to voice my fears. He gives me a new perspective I haven’t thought of before, and it helps me to overcome my fear.
The top three most useful tools and resources I’m currently using to grow my business include Ahrefs for keyword research, Instagram for free marketing, and outsourcing tasks to other people that I’m not an expert in.
How can readers get in touch with you?
I’m on all social media platforms as @briannaparksphotography. If you’re interested in my work, you can check me out on briannaparksphoto.com.
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