We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaitie Bryant and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kaitie, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I’ve learned over the years of being self-employed and raising children that work life balance is less like a balance beam and more like a juggling act. I tried for years to figure out the perfect amount of time devoted to work in all of its untraditional hours and perfect time devoted to family to find there is no perfect equation. The reality is that one will require more and one will have to get less of my time and attention, and the challenge is to figure out which one to focus on and when. I heard a wise woman entrepreneur talk about her family and the juggling metaphor, and her words still ring true for me. She said some balls are rubber and bounce back, like her work, while other balls are like glass and more fragile or precious, like family relationships. The reality is that there are seasons of parenting that require more attention in a way that no one else can provide, but these seasons aren’t forever. I chose to slow down business during these years and trust that the investment in my family would matter the most in the end. I also sacrificed time in working on my business in the off hours, the evenings, weekends, etc. I think work life balance is more about defining what matters most to you and your family, and then building life around those values and priorities. It is really important to name what matters and then also count the cost so you can be better prepared to say “yes” or “no” to the opportunities that arise.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have owned my own photography business for the past 14 years, with a focus on wedding photography. In the beginning, I photographed many events in seemingly ordinary or somewhat boring locations while I saw other photographers I admired working in more interesting venues. I remember thinking that I needed to photograph even the most ordinary location in a way that shows the couple in the most beautiful light, making their photos feel extraordinary. This challenge helped me study light more carefully to find the most flattering and luminous locations, whether it was a hallway lined with windows or a back room with no other distractions but a sun facing window. I learned to focus on simple composition that could be a photo taken anywhere and creating a look that was less about the location and more about the light and the subject. This helped me overcome challenges of places that might not be ideal, and actually ended up being the look I prefer even in the most extravagant location. This value of simplicity and beautiful light has turned out to be a timeless aesthetic, making photos less trendy and more classic and enduring for years to come.
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?
I love our little city of Athens and the surrounding areas! We would start our time at my favorite breakfast spot, Mama’s Boy, followed by a walk (or bike ride) on the Firefly trail that follows along the North Oconee River behind Mama’s Boy. We would walk through downtown Athens, visiting Archer Paper Goods for fun gifts and getting coffee at local roaster Jittery Joes. I would plan a day to shop vintage clothes and furniture, starting at Dynamite Clothing or Community downtown, and then heading to Starlite Showroom for the best midcentury furniture finds. The hardest part might be choosing where to eat dinner, with so many options. I love Depalmas Italian restaurant and South Kitchen and Bar, but would also want to include a trip to Five & Ten for a fancier meal and Cali-n-titos on the Eastside of Athens for a fun atmosphere and Latin American food. Leaving room for dessert means a trip to Jeni’s Splendid ice cream in 5 points. We might also try out an art class at KA Artist Shop in downtown Athens and take a hike in the Georgia Botanical Gardens. Lastly, I would want to be sure to enjoy a cocktail at Wire Park in Watkinsville and enjoy some live music and games in their outdoor courtyard. There is so much to do and see in Athens that I am still discovering great finds!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am forever in debt to my business mentor Shanna Skidmore. She provides financial education to business owners and so much more. Through one-on-one meetings to planning retreats like The Blueprint Model, I gained a huge amount of clarity on the how and why of my business in connection to my values and life. Shanna provided a place for me to grow and learn from other creatives, like artist Hillary Butler, and from those friendships I have learned so much about business and life. The person who invested in me the earliest and probably shaped my vision for photography the most is Carrie Jo Pinckard from Texture Photo. She spent hours teaching me the ins and outs of photo editing, how to store photos, creating pricing, and booking clients. Carrie gave me her wisdom and experience and friendship that turned out to be pivotal in my life. Lastly, my family has poured into me and deserves so much credit. My dad, a engineer by profession but photographer by passion, passed on to each of his children a love for the camera. He thought I wasn’t paying attention when he taught each of us about using a camera, but turns out that seed grew and grew over the years to a full blown love. My brothers each have careers using photography and they taught me more about composition and mechanics than I can fully give them credit for. And my mom was always creating in one way or another, making sure we could pursue our interests with full support and care.
Website: kaitiebryant.com
Instagram: @kaitiebryant
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitie-bryant-306078123
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaitiebryantphotography
Image Credits
Kaitie Bryant Photography