Meet Brittney Ezna: Photographer & Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brittney Ezna and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittney, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I was reeling from an especially hard year. The last 4 years have been “2020” for me. A car accident, a mental hospital stay, mental illness, various family deaths, loss of jobs, sexual harassment, it was just a lot! I was working full time for the first time and I kept pushing myself despite all my trauma to prove to myself, my family and others that I was fine. But I wasn’t. So I abruptly stopped. I starting blogging and I wanted to take good photos for it so I bought a starter camera! Turned out I had a knack for it and I started posting my photos and I had DMs rolling in with people asking me what I charged! It was pretty surreal. What started as an escape turned into a business!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I first started taking photos I wanted them to be perfect, and all that pressure made the photos most assuredly not perfect. So I put down my camera and didn’t pick it up for 6 years. This time around I actually fell in love with the art form. I wanted REAL. I wanted to see the aura and full personality of the person in my photos. What is the point of art if you don’t feel anything? After every shoot I’m exhausted, because I spend the whole time hyping you up, talking to you and figuring out what you love, what gives you purpose and making you loosen up. It’s a mental and spiritual workout! But it’s worth it because seeing people exclaim “Omg is that what I look like? I’m beautiful!!” Is better than anything. There are so many photographers who view it as just work. I never want to get to that point because it’s an honor to be able to show people themselves like this.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Man I remember friends and going places, haha 2020 am I right? But I think I still remember how to do this. We have to go to the High Art museum. Preferably not on the family free day. For brunch that first day I have to suggest Eggs Up Grill. The portions are big and the food is to die for. Walking along the Beltline if it’s a particularly nice day is a must, going to Ponce City Market to shop is an experience that must be enjoyed. For dinner I suggest Takorea on Spring St. thrifting all over the perimeter of Atl is a rite of passage and you’ll never go back to buying full price. Hiking at Sweetwater Park, brunch at Maple Street Biscuit Company, sightseeing in Serenbe. An early show at the Shakespeare Tavern while walking a few blocks for dinner at Escorpion. If it’s still winter ice skating in Atlantic Station is a fairytale. I know you asked for a week’s worth but I’m highly introverted so this is a month’s worth for me.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Man. So many. I need to thank God, our relationship is pretty rocky because life has been tumultuous to say the least, but I feel like He always shows that there’s always something I can be grateful for. I have to thank my fiancé, John. He’s so supportive and thinks I can do anything and everything, he’s always pushing me to keep going and is there when I doubt my talent and abilities to hype me up. I also have to thank every person who supported my art this year. It means the world to me that I’m seen as an artistic person.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/onyxandauracreativeco

Image Credits
The photo of me was taken by the wildly talented @indieefox !