Today we’d like to introduce you to Josie Brooks.
Hi Josie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my career without even realizing it. I began getting paid to take photos in 2011, though at the time I was also photographing models and creating fine art inspired fashion shoots simply because I loved being creative. I was a young mom working a full time job, and every night after putting my kids to bed, I would spend hours building my photography business and filling my weekends with sessions.
Not long after, I booked a small wedding, then another, and eventually a bride discovered me through the Orlando RAW Artists website after falling in love with my fashion work. That opened the door to weddings and storytelling in a whole new way.
I officially launched my business part time in 2015 and made the leap to full time in 2019. Many years later, I’m grateful to run a thriving business built around documenting love stories and creating timeless imagery. What started as a creative outlet has grown into a career I truly love, and I still feel incredibly thankful that I get to do this every day.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. I started before social media became what it is today. Back then, I was delivering photographs on CDs and USB drives because there wasn’t an easy digital way to send galleries. I am completely self-taught, and in those early days there wasn’t the endless amount of education and resources photographers have access to now. Everything I learned came through trial and error, experience, and a lot of persistence.
Over the years, I’ve had to navigate constant changes in technology, social media, and the industry itself. I’ve learned to swim through the riptides and currents of shifting trends while staying true to my style and the experience I wanted to create for my clients. Building a business while raising a family brought its own challenges, and after reaching a level of success, I realized I needed to redefine what success looked like for me. I wanted more balance, less travel, and more time with the people who matter most.
Looking back, every season has taught me something. The challenges have shaped not only my business, but who I am as an artist, entrepreneur, wife and mother.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in documentary wedding photography with an artistic and refined approach. My work is rooted in storytelling, capturing the real moments, emotions, and connections that make each wedding unique while creating timeless imagery that feels both effortless and elevated. I love photographing couples who value genuine experiences, meaningful details, and beautiful celebrations.
What I’m most proud of is the longevity I’ve built in this industry and the relationships I’ve formed along the way. More than fifteen years after I first picked up a camera professionally, I still feel just as passionate about telling stories as I did in the beginning. I’ve had the privilege of documenting hundreds of weddings and watching many of my clients return for anniversaries, growing families, and life’s biggest milestones. That trust means everything to me.
I believe what sets me apart is my ability to blend artistry with authenticity. My background in fashion and fine art influences how I see light, composition, and emotion, but I never want a wedding day to feel like a photoshoot. I want people to be fully present while I quietly document the moments that matter most. My clients often tell me that I bring a calm presence to their day and that their photographs feel like memories rather than poses.
At the end of the day, I’m not just creating beautiful images. I’m preserving stories and emotions that will become part of a family’s legacy for generations to come, and that’s something I never take for granted.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Photography has given me a front row seat to some of life’s most beautiful moments, and after all these years, I still feel incredibly grateful for that. I’ve learned that trends come and go, technology changes, and business evolves, but genuine connection and meaningful stories never go out of style.
These days, I’m especially grateful for the balance I’ve found. I love creating beautiful work, but I also treasure slow mornings, family adventures, and being present for the people I love. Life moves quickly, and I think that’s why preserving memories matters so much.
At the end of the day, I hope my work reminds people to celebrate the ordinary, hold onto the people they love, and never underestimate the power of a photograph to bring them back to a moment they thought they’d forgotten.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.josiebrooksphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josiebrooksphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/josie.brooks.12
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/josie_brooks/
