Meet Brandy Angel | Photographer, Author

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

Hi Brandy, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?
My definition of success has definitely evolved over the years, as well as my career path, but in many ways it has stayed fundamentally the same. I started out very young in the medical field as a surgical technologist. I felt a great deal of pride and success knowing that my skills and compassionate nature were being used to help people in their time of need. I may not have made the biggest salary in the room but I felt like an important and valued member of the Operating Room team. To me, that was the very definition of success. I have now owned my own photography business, Brandy Angel Photography, since 2012, and I am also the Founder and President of my own 5013c non profit, Be the Change- Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc., since 2015. Being able to make a career out of a life long passion really gave me a much deeper feeling of success. I get to do something I dreamed about as a child every day and document the lives of families in a beautiful, meaningful way. Then being able to use that to start a non profit, to give back to those in need, was such an unexpected gift that fulfills me in ways I never even dreamed of. I know that a lot of people judge success by how much profit they bring home or how much recognition they receive but I have always defined it by how much fulfillment and pride I feel in the work I do and the good it puts out into the world. I also believe it comes from setting your goals and working hard to meet them gives you a sense of success that most people never get to experience. I also always dreamed of publishing a book one day and I set that intention, worked hard to make it happen and self publishing my first book, Wonderings and Wanderings, through Amazon in 2023. There is no greater feeling of success than making a dream a reality.

What should our readers know about your business?
When I look back at how far I have come since I decided to make my love of photography a business, it’s kind of mind blowing. I had grown up on film photography, I loved a dark room and enjoyed every part of film photography. When I was 10 years old I would set up a backdrop and dress up my younger nieces and nephews, pose them and do photoshoots. What 10 year old does that? A born photographer. However, a passion isn’t enough to run a business. I began by teaching myself digital photography. A difficult feat but definitely not the hardest in this journey. Learning how to run my own business was truly the hardest hurdle to cross. As a self proprietor you have to learn to do it all. Marketing, secretary, social media and website design and management, accounting, book keeping, the list goes on. You name it, you have to learn it, and you have to learn it fast if you want to be successful. If I could change one thing I would have gotten some sort of degree in business, or at least gone to a business course. No matter what career path you take, knowing how a business runs would be beneficial. Luckily I was, and still am, surrounded by friends and family who were able to guide me, educate me, encourage me and support me through this journey. Without them I would never have made it this far. Having a real support system is so important to making a small business work. Building your network and making connections is so important. You never know where that one connection will lead you. In a world of constant competition it might seem like you can’t be friends with other photographers or that you need to lower your prices to get more business but that’s just not the case. Who you are and the work that you do will always speak for itself. Don’t compare yourself to others or allow insecurities to make you compete with others in a way you aren’t proud of. We should build each other up, celebrate each other’s successes and grow from the relationships. You will overcome so many challenges and struggles with the support and help of others. I promise it will help you get much further in a much more positive way. Last bit of advice I would give is that you should never be afraid to ask questions, say no if something doesn’t feel right for you, never stop learning, growing and trying new things, don’t sell yourself short or be taken advantage of and don’t be afraid to read Business for Dummies.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh man, that’s the hardest question yet, there are so many places! I guess I would start with a week long trip to Ireland and Scotland. We would eat and drink everything native to the area that we could. We would connect with the locals and make connections that could lead us to who knows where next. We would explore all of the magical places they have to offer and take so many photos to save the memories forever. I love meeting people and really learning about them and where they live. I am especially drawn to Ireland and Scotland because that is where my ancestors came from. It has been on my bucket list for quite some time. I would love to sit at an Irish pub and just learn everything about what makes Ireland and Scotland so magical.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Jessica Davis is a lifelong friend and the Vice President of Be the Change-Brandy Angel Foundation, INC. She has helped make our foundation what it is today. I don’t know what I would do or be without her friendship and guidance. Alex Ugolini has worked tirelessly to support me, guide me, and encourage me every step of the way. He is my biggest fan and supporter. His support is immeasurable.
My daughters, Alora and Alden, have no idea how much they inspire me to push myself further and try harder. There is no stronger drive than a mother wanting to prove to her daughters that they can do anything they dream of.
Evelyn Shaw Corley is a friend who also has her own business, Thrive International Academy, and her own non profit, Beautiful Minds. She has inspired me, encouraged me and been a huge support system for me through the years. I don’t know what I would do without her. Having a close friend that understands exactly what you’re going through and can offer advice and be a sounding board is priceless.
Rachel McPherson is a life long friend that also owns her own business, Floss Boss Designs, and she is one of the smartest people I know. She grounds me, educates me and inspires me in every aspect of my business and life. I am in constant awe of her.
Victoria Huff, of Victoria Huff Photography, is a dear friend and we walked the path of starting a photography business together. We both learned from each other, guided each other and encouraged each other in a way that made a dream a reality. I would not be where I am today without her and I am eternally grateful to her.
Circe Baumgartner, of Circe B Photo, has been a friend since I was 21 years old. She and I would do shoots together with film way back before we had any idea we would make a career out of it. Circe offered me so much knowledge, support and inspiration. I truly believe I would have never made the leap of faith to follow my passion without her. She made me believe it was possible.
Abbey Ehman, of Global Head of Real Estate, is literally the friend that pushed me to go after my dream. She believed in me so fiercely that I believed in myself. She is an incredibly successful, strong and amazing woman that has guided me and inspired me every step of the way. Having someone believe in you so deeply is more important than most people realize.
Jessica Mingledorff, owner of Tribe Hair Company, has been a friend for most of my life and she always makes me look at the business side of things with a sharper eye and inspires me with her amazing ever growing success, determination and drive. She always encourages me to stand firm in my worth and keep moving forward. I am so blessed too be surrounded by so many amazing, hard working, successful women.

Website: https://www.brandyangelphotography.com

Instagram: @BrandyAngelPhotography

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandy-angel-54274734/

Twitter: @angel-photo

Facebook: Brandy Angel Photography

Youtube: @brandyhayesangel

Other: www.BetheChangeBAF.com

IG BetheChangeBAF FB Be the Change-Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc.

Image Credits
Victoria Huff Photography Circe B Photo