Meet Brandy Fleming-Stewart | Brandy Fleming-Stewart | Arizona Lifestyle Photographer

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

Hi Brandy, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
From as far back as I can remember, I always loved the artistry of photography. I didn’t know any of the fancy words for it, like composition, aperture, resolution, etc. I just knew that I liked the way the colors looked on the cover of a National Geographic magazine!

When my mom and dad first handed me a camera, I was hooked. I took photos of everything! The roly polies in our front yard; the flowers on my Easter dress; my mom getting ready for work in the morning. It was all art to me. It wasn’t until I had the opportunity to take a photography class in high school that I learned what those terms meant, and was finally able to put into words what I was trying to capture on film.

Life happened, and I stayed a hobbyist for many years. I would do side gigs here and there for friends and family or my previous employers, but I never really took the time to study what I was photographing. It wasn’t until several life-changing events occurred within a short period that I decided to do photography full-time. I still had the passion for the art that I saw in everyday life, but I was FINALLY able to sit down, educate myself, and not only love what I was photographing but appreciate it as well.

Now, I still enjoy capturing everyday images, but I can appreciate the “in the moment” rawness of candids. I can showcase what my heart feels when I see an Arizona sunset on the Superstition Mountains. I can freeze-frame time for that “I do” kiss. I can share with others the authenticity and beauty of life around us. Hopefully, some little girl will see one of my images and decide she too wants to be a photographer when she grows up.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
To some, photography is just the click of a button and BAM! You’re done. To me, photography is art. It’s magic. It takes time, patience, love, and appreciation. It’s blood, sweat, and tears at 3AM because your laptop decided to call it quits mid-way through a 3,000-image gallery! It’s improvising, adapting, and overcoming.

I have worked from the ground up with my business. For a long while, there was no one to help me or guide me. I did it all on my own. It’s because of that, that I am most proud of myself. I had no other option than to persevere. So I did. I learned what SEO means. I built my website. I learned how to make my logo. I joined every Facebook group I could, looking for clients, offering discounted or free sessions, and asking to be a second shooter for weddings. When business was nil, I took photos of what I love: the mountains from my deck, my daughter, and our pets. I refused to sink into that pit of Imposter Syndrome (though it did happen, and it only made me stronger), “oh woe is me”, throw in the towel mentality.

I would like to say my Type A personality is what sets me apart from others, but we all sort of have that personality trait in this field. It’s practically a requirement. My ability to just be me is my biggest asset (and sometimes my greatest weakness). My friends and family would call it being “personable”. I call it being raw. When I tell my clients “You do you boo”, I mean it! Because I’m just doing me! I don’t want anything other than authentic.
I am real with people. I am real with the expectations of my business. I don’t expect to bank six figures in a year (yet) because I know that’s not the growth meant for my business (yet). I’ve learned to be PATIENT when it comes to my business. Sure I could buy leads and hire someone to do all my social media for me. But why? I want to experience the good AND the bad. It’s the only way I learn from my mistakes and the only way I want to grow my business. That doesn’t mean I won’t reach out to those who mentor and guide me and ask the tough or even basic questions. We don’t learn if we don’t know, and we don’t know if we don’t ask.

At the end of the day, I want those who look at my photography to say “Wow. I can tell she loved what she did”. I’m not in it for the shock value or the “oohs and awes” (though I do LOVE it when I get those responses). I want others to FEEL something, ANYTHING when they see my photography. Just be present in the moment, enjoy the beauty of the image, appreciate the work that went into it, and maybe even inspire someone to pick up a camera and start photographing what’s in their heart, just like I did.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Okay! Week-long trip?! Done! We’re going GHOST HUNTING! I absolutely LOVE doing ghost-hunting tours!
We are going to Jerome, Bisbee, Tombstone, Yuma, and any other place in between that we can think of to try and catch some boos! We will only eat at the best establishments: Haunted Hamburger in Jerome, Blazin’ M Ranch in Cottonwood, and Crema Craft Kitchen & Bar also in Cottonwood. Add a little bit of wine tasting to the mix down in Camp Verde. Maybe even try to spot some aliens at the Lowell Observatory.
I honestly love to people-watch, so ANYWHERE I can go to do that is a win for me! The Grand Canyon is probably one of my favorites because it has such a diverse group of people coming through every day! Though to be fair, I am just as happy sitting at a bar, watching people do drunk karaoke.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would absolutely love to shout out the following for their love, mentorships, friendships, and artistry. They have helped build who I am as a person and business owner today: My mom (always at the top of my list)
My daughter (my ride or die)
My husband (thank you for wanting to stay “Stuck Like Chuck” all these years)
My sister (God is within her. She will not fail)
Emma (love you boo)
Maria (even a torrential downpour can’t stop us)
Lala (I gotchu).

Website: https://www.bfsphotography.org/

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