Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianna Thompson!
Hi Brianna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I got started doing real estate photography in 2016, which was also the year I graduated from UCF with my bachelor’s degree in Advertising/Public Relations with a minor in Creative Writing. I was dating a realtor at the time, and quickly saw the need for proper advertising in the real estate market. I started out slowly, working with the realtors I knew in my circle. I got a used camera, looked up tutorials online, watched YouTube videos and read endless blog posts and articles. Word of mouth spread around the brokerage, and I took on more clients that were friends of friends. I kept learning and growing my clientele until I graduated school, was able to quit my serving job, and do real estate photography full time. Nearly ten years later, I’ve expanded my service offerings, worked with hundreds of realtors, and photographed thousands of properties.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It was definitely a challenge starting out because I was in school, working as a server at a restaurant, doing an internship at a radio advertisement production studio, and building Storybook Home Photography at the same time. I barely slept. It was a difficult balancing act trying to manage so many responsibilities. But there’s only 24 hours in a day–you prioritize tasks and get everything done that you can, and then you go to bed and do more the next day. Another struggle was post Covid, the real estate market really dipped. I struggled to bring in enough shoots. This is where diversifying my portfolio helped. I broadened my horizons to not only work with residential properties, but also vacation homes, Airbnbs, commercial properties, rental property managers, and new construction builders. This helps to cushion the slow times. When times were especially difficult while I was in school, I bartered my photography services for other services–one time I even photographed a dentist’s office so I could get my wisdom teeth pulled! This is the beauty of learning a skill or trade–no one can ever take it away from you, and as long as you have the supplies and the drive, you will have the means to take care of yourself and make ends meet.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the one woman show of Storybook Home Photography. I am the owner, photographer, editor, drone pilot, virtual tour technician, client contact, and administrator. I built my own website, I run all the numbers, and I manage all the accounts. Most of the other real estate media companies in Orlando are larger than me, with many photographers and editors and points of contact. But when you work with Storybook Home Photography, it’s the same consistent quality and the same person answering the phone every single time. My clients always know what to expect from me and my work, which is why they keep coming back. I’ve held onto many of the same clients since the beginning. The truth is, no one will take pride in your work as much as you do. As a perfectionist, I take pride in every single photo. Storybook Home Photography’s goal is to tell a home’s story. Storybook offers photography, listing description copy, 3D virtual tours with interactive floor plans, and aerial drone photography. The buyer is taken on a journey through the home’s front doors, into the living space, kitchen, bedroom, and outside, while reading alongside creative copy detailing highlights and features of the home.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something surprising is I have been flown out to Puerto Rico to do a photo shoot of an Airbnb in San Juan! That was an awesome experience, and I got to stay there for free. The food and beaches were amazing. Another surprising thing is that most people are shocked that this is “all I do” for a living, but it keeps me very busy! I do around 1-2 photo shoots per day, Monday-Friday. I also take photos of everything from gas stations to beachfront mansions. If it has four walls and a ceiling, I’ll be there! I don’t photograph people though. I’m always looking for good portrait photographers to refer business to!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://storybookhomephotography.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/storybookhomephotography
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/storybookhomephotography
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/brianna-thompson-b6765712a/
Image Credits
Lauren Schoepfer – personal portrait photo only
Storybook Home Photography/Brianna Thompson – all additional images
