Meet Briana Diamond | Wedding Photographer

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

Hi Briana, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind the success of my brand is the unique storytelling through love chapters with my couples. My goal is to make my clients/couples branch as well with your creativity with their visions/aesthetics on their big day while having tons and tons of fun the day of their photo session/wedding. I also began adding a complimentary boudoir session for my brides to give their partners as a sexy wedding gift. My branding is film rustic meets the 70’s with fine art poses but also diving deep into their love language, which makes my brand stand out of the crowd from the ordinary.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My vibe is rustic/retro in nature as well studio sessions. I get a lot of feedback that my style brings back good memories from their childhoods/family pictures which is also purpose-built. I would say my electric/funny personality is one of my strengths when it comes to my photo sessions. After working with me, my clients always say how much fun they had and felt extremely comfortable working with me/posing. I shot my first wedding as a second shooter for Brandi Crockett in Ojai, CA October 2021 and immediately fell in love. Everything is always so visually stimulating on wedding days for me so I felt like it was an artist playground. I knew wedding photography was my calling to display my brand. Then I worked for Matt and Jess doing their photo culling/blogs. Their style made me realize that I don’t have to do the ordinary in wedding photographer- that I can actually push creative boundaries and get funky fun with it. I was working at Visit Ventura doing digital marketing for two years while second shooting/editing for them. Then I got my very first booking for my business, DiamondPhotography.

Then I started getting inquiries a lot more. People admired me for my quick responses/patience so they referred me. I started working during the weekdays. I was working 15 hour days total. Working 9-5, then shooting after work for my business and editing everything. I knew it was time to take the scary exciting leap and dive into my business full time. I began listening to wedding photography business podcasts by Cassidy Lynn and Jai Long about how to advertise, market and when to take that leap into your business. I really did some deep diving within myself as well before leaving a steady income job. I knew that I was making my dreams come true doing this. I saved money, invested in two Canon mirrorless cameras, new lenses, studio. I have been shooting/working everyday since and I have yet to look back when I left in September 2022.

If I could teach my fellow artists is that it’s okay to take chances on yourself. GO FOR IT! Especially if you are running your business during the weekdays and cannot enjoy your weekends(time off). The burnouts are not worth it. Those steady income jobs will always be there on the sidelines as backup but your dreams/passions deserve the world to see your talents to shine bright like a diamond. And if you have nonbelievers around your saying no its too risky or you don’t have a backup, prove them wrong and chose their negativity to light your fire not put out your dream. Trust me, they will come to you and say how proud they are then want advice on how you took your leap.

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 live in Ventura County which is by both the mountains and ocean. I am an avid surfer, trail runner, and beach goer. So! If I had a friend visiting, we would go for a hike or paddle out in the ocean then get some yummy beers and check out a local craft brewery with live music.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to Brandi Crockett and We are Matt and Jess for their faith in me becoming a wedding photographer here in Southern California. I have dreamed of becoming a wedding photographer ever since picking up my camera at age 7. And 28 years later, I am building my foundation as a full time professional photographer and I couldn’t do it without Brandi and Matt/Jess bringing me on their shoots assisting, second shooting and now filming for them to build relationships and portfolio work. These two photographers have always been a dream to work for and now here I am!

Website: Brianadiamond.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/brianadiamondphotography

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briana-diamond/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-g12y4eWrUwozFqJHsAb2A