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

Hi Angelia, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have always loved photography! I’ve had a camera since I was about 12 years old. However, starting my business came from a place of hurt and severe disappointment. My husband and I were married in 2017. I hired a photographer that I had known for several years. I trusted him and I fired another photographer that I hired to support and do business with a familiar face. That turned out to be one of the worst decisions I made during my wedding planning process!
This photographer didn’t show up to my wedding, he sent people I didn’t know, ignored my calls and the images were horrible! I received 1600 subpar images and only 8 were edited… The edited images were that of a beginner. I couldn’t believe this was happening to me. I trusted this photographer and I knew his work, this wasn’t it. I paid him a travel fee and the amount he requested, I don’t understand why he would do this to me.
I was mortified, to say the least! This was my wedding, the moment I could never recreate at a later time, my moment, our day. I am still hurt by this.
I decided that day that I was destined to use the thing I’ve always loved as a hobby to be my career. I never wanted anyone else especially a bride to experience what I went through that day. I’ve always turned pain into a silver lining and made the best of my experiences, I began my business in 2018.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I pride myself on making people happy, comfortable, and appreciated. When I am photographing my clients it’s always a fun and exciting experience. I have been told I am the life of the party, once you get to know me. My clients get that from me every session. I have never lost a client. I know that photography is a luxury as well as an investment. I use the same expectations I have for other businesses, that I do business with. I want to have an amazing experience, feel valued and appreciated and I also want to know my support to their business means something to them.

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.
This is a hard one! My favorite places to eat are Pappadeaux and The Zydeco Seafood Kitchen food truck. I don’t drink so I can’t help with that one.
My favorite place to hang out is The Carver Museum, I love learning more about my heritage and my ancestors. My favorite places to shop are Amazon (gotta love prime, right). The Biltmore and sometimes Scottsdale Fashion Square.
I also love Verrado it makes me feel as though I’m in the South again. The people are nice and welcoming for the most part. I have a lot of clients that request to have their pictures taken there so it’s a favorite of mine as well.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I started my business in 2018 and while I tried to team up with various photographers I knew I was missing something. So in 2019 while I was scrolling on Facebook I saw an ad with a face and a voice is seen a time or two. I went to the website and checked out her prices for her program enrollment at the time I said to myself “I can’t afford it”. However, God knew I needed her, she was offering a free trial for the week to allow photographers to experience her program. This program was everything! I took the free week and enrolled by Wednesday of that week. I knew I was in the right place! Sue Bryce, changed my life! Once I joined, I met so many fantastic photographers and our community is uplifting and encouraging.

Website: www.angeliamalbrewphotography.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/angeliamalbrewphotography

Facebook: Facebook.com/angeliamalbrewphotography

Other: Pinterest.com/angeliamalbrewphotography

Image Credits
Photography by: Angelia Malbrew Model: Sylvia Romero Andi Parsons Meairah Lee Tolu Lope & Nyajuok Kueth Liam Santana Amberley Rae Vikki Olsen Breshay Webb

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