Meet Finette Basden | Photographer, Content Creator

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

Hi Finette, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I made the decision to start my own photography business, I knew that it would require me to tap into my creative and business side to take that leap of faith. My ultimate goal was to turn my passion into a profitable venture, but I also wanted to challenge myself and grow as a photographer. The idea of starting a business had been on my mind for some time, and I did extensive research and weighed the pros and cons before taking the leap. I knew that there would be risks and challenges along the way, but I was determined to pursue my dream and create something that was truly my own.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a nurse, I have devoted 18 years of my life to this profession and currently hold an administrative role. However, photography has always been my passion, since the age of 11. Despite being a nurse, my creative spirit has always leaned towards artistic expression through photography. It wasn’t until my husband gifted me my first professional camera that I finally took the opportunity to learn and focus on my passion. With the abundance of resources available, such as YouTube, I was able to learn the fundamentals of photography and immerse myself in it. My biggest challenge was my lack of confidence. Since I was not formally trained, I doubted my abilities. However, I came to realize that the finished product and how it made me and my clients feel was what mattered the most. I learned that it was okay to fail the first time, but it was worse not to try at all. Balancing work and family was another challenge, but with the support of my loved ones, I have been successful in that department.
I find it particularly fulfilling to work with small businesses and entrepreneurs. As a natural nurturer, I find it beautiful to help others nurture their dreams as well. It brings me great joy to be able to combine my passion for photography with my desire to help others succeed.

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?
If my best friend was coming to Tampa for a week, I would make sure we have the best time ever. First things first, we would have to ease into vacay mode, so we’ll hit up a local restaurant for a delicious dinner. Nothing heavy, we’re keeping it light day one. Then, we’ll spend the next few days exploring all the local hotspots, like Clearwater beach and downtown Tampa. We’ll definitely have a fancy brunch and snap some cute pics. I love capturing my friends in their natural element. Of course, we can’t miss out on Ybor City, where the scene is always fun and the food is delicious. And if there’s a comedian we both love, we’ll hit up the Improv for some laughs or maybe we’ll check out a concert. We’ll even have some fun family time together. When in Atlanta, I would visit the Georgia Aquarium. The water and sea creatures provide a breathtaking view. Atlanta has a wide range of eating experiences so I would make sure to hit up the casual and fine dining spots. To be honest, no matter what we do, it’s gonna be a vibe.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I feel incredibly fortunate to have such an amazing circle of friends and family. The women in my life are simply wonderful, constantly offering their encouragement and support. My sisters, Maggy and Viotha Louis, are always pushing me to strive for more and to never give up on my dreams. Jenia Pierre, a fellow entrepreneur, has also been an inspiration to me, showing me the importance of perseverance and the value of simply showing up and trying. My best friends are also incredible role models; Luby Myrthil is a lawyer and the CEO of Papou’s Mouse,a non-profit organization, Christy Liger is a social worker and caterer & owner of Liger’s Island Touch, and Nakia Green is an author of “I am Exactly Who God Wanted Me to Be” and the Director of Nursing. Each of them has taught me something valuable about pursuing my passion, and they’re always there to remind me of my worth and help me get back on track when I’m feeling down. I also want to give a special shoutout to Yokie of Yokie Empire, who has provided invaluable mentorship in the field of photography. It’s no coincidence that so many of these amazing women are fellow entrepreneurs; I truly feel blessed to be surrounded by such inspiring individuals. Finally, my husband Jahmash Basden has been my biggest supporter and cheerleader through it all.

Website: www.fiphotography.com

Instagram: @finettephotography

Other: Tik Tok – @fi_photography

Image Credits
Photo of me: Photographer, Niyoka “Yokie” Ziegler of Yokie Empire ( IG:@yokieempire)