Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brittany Reynosa, owner of Brooks & Co., located in San Antonio, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is Brooks & Co, and I offer Brand Films, Brand Photography, Product Films, and Product Photography. Here at Brooks & Co, we love helping our clients tell their brand story through creative, fresh, and modern images and film. The way we see it, you have so much talent to offer this world, and we're here to showcase the value you offer across your website, social media platforms, advertisements, and more!
Tell us about yourself
Prior to getting into brand photography (and switching my name to Brooks & Co), I specialized in motherhood, birth, and family photography. About eight years ago, I started offering birth films and fell in love with videography. That same year, I wanted to expand a little more and would ask friends that owned businesses if I could film them doing what they do. It quickly became a passion of mine, and I knew it was the direction I wanted to head towards next. Years later, in the craziness of 2020, photographing and filming company products is what kept me afloat. It was a huge turning point for my business, and that's when I knew I just wanted to work with other business owners. By the end of 2020, I had fully stopped taking on family and birth work and had dived headfirst into transitioning my successful family and birth business into only taking on branding and product work. It was tough at first, and I constantly questioned myself if what I was doing was right, but time and time again, I was left feeling satisfied and happy after each session. Seeing the businesses I've photographed for go on to have these beautiful, cohesive imagery is what keeps me going.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I think my biggest accomplishment so far has been learning how to balance work and personal life. I used to let my business completely run me over. I would miss birthdays, sporting events, and more. Now I am able to run a successful business but also be able to take time off, attend to things if needed, and end the evenings with my husband and kids.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Managing time and having a backbone. I have to remind myself often that I am a one-woman show. I do outsource certain things when needed, but a majority of it is all on me. I also have to remind myself that it's ok to say no - whether it's to a client that is asking for too much, taking on sessions outside of my work hours, answering emails, or taking calls when not in the office.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- If I could go back in time, I would have learned to manage my time earlier. I will forever suggest this to someone that's just starting out (or wanting to grow!).
- Outsourcing the things that you know you cannot do and/or when trying to take on too much. I used to not want to outsource because I wanted to do it all on my own. Time is money, and now I happily will pay the expert or someone to help me so I can give my clients the best experience.
- Have fun and lean on your fellow business owners when needed. Running a business is hard. It is so nice to have friends in the industry that I can lean on when I have questions, need to vent, or need to bounce ideas off of someone.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://brooksandcophoto.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bybrooksandco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooksandcophoto/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.