Today we’d like to introduce you to Britny Calton.
Hi Britny, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Looking back, my friends and family always recognized my creative side. My mom bought me my first little digital camera from Aldi – yeah, the grocery store. People would ask me to take their photos often, even at a young age. Growing up, my friends and I would have little photoshoots together, and I loved to edit them.
My junior and senior years of high school I took all of the art and photography classes available. I didn’t need them as credits, in fact, I could have graduated early, but I stayed in school to be a part of our choir program and musicals. I was certainly in my happy place. I briefly considered a career as a photojournalist, but never really pursued it.
My husband and I got married a year after high school, while he was home on leave with the Marines. A few months later we moved to his first duty station – Camp Lejeune, North Carolina!
While living in North Carolina, there were so many opportunities to photograph people! The Marine Corps Birthday Ball, Homecomings from Deployments, Elopements, and Weddings. Not to mention families that visited the beaches always wanted photos! I discovered lots of other photographers in NC and on social media, and it encouraged me to start my own business. I never looked back. I took some courses online with an art institute and purchased my first DSLR. But I really owe my success to my husband. Whenever his fellow Marines expressed need for a photographer, he always recommended me! He always looked for excuses to bring up my business!
A few years later, my husband’s orders were ending and we decided to move back home to Kansas City, to be closer to family with our new baby boy. I was so nervous about starting over in a new location in my business, but it was really such a smooth transition! I booked lots of sessions and weddings right away.
Since then, I’ve gotten to know so many amazing couples and women along the way! It’s really been a dream come true.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been many struggles along the way. Moving to a new state had its moments. Becoming a mom definitely was a hard one! Trying to run a business with a baby is a difficult task! Especially when you are far from home and don’t have many built-in babysitters (grandparents, aunts, etc.) at your disposal. I used to babywear our son in a wrap to some of my sessions.
Probably the biggest recent struggle has been dealing with Covid. Not only was I not allowed to shoot during quarantine 2020, but we had our second baby right at the end of quarantine. So, I was on maternity leave for 8 weeks after quarantine ended. I basically didn’t work for 4 or 5 months of the year. Then so many of my weddings were canceled or rescheduled. That was really hard! Especially after having a baby and dealing with postpartum anxiety and depression. My daughter also had surgery and weight gain issues in the first few weeks of life. So that maternity leave was very stressful. Dealing with that and all my business going away, I really felt like I had failed as a mom and a business owner.
Fear has always been a big block for me in life in general. And it’s definitely crept its way into my business more often than I’d like to admit. But recognizing that has helped me grow. When I started my business, I came across a quote – “Start where you are. Use what you have.” I’ve never forgotten that, and it’s helped get me to where I am today.
Covid continues to make things difficult for everyone. With so many restrictions, and fear lurking around every corner, it can be debilitating. But it helps to know we are not enduring it alone, but together as a world. Reminding myself that my clients are also dealing with hard decisions for their weddings in the midst of Covid, helps me to know how I can serve them even better. So, I keep pushing through. Preserving memories through photographs is such a passion for me! So, it’s worth every struggle.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My main focus is Weddings and Boudoir. When I began my business, I quickly fell in love with couples. Over the years, photographing weddings has been a way for me to serve my clients during some of the happiest and most important moments of their lives.
My business focuses on connection and real emotion. One way I love to accomplish this is through using my clients Love Languages and Enneagram numbers to really learn who they are at their core. I feel that by learning these things I can connect with them on a level that creates comfortability for them to be their authentic selves with me and in front of the camera. I don’t want to be just another vendor on their wedding day. I want to be an active participant. Someone they can rely on and depend on. It’s my goal to create a lasting friendship that goes beyond their wedding day. And I love to cheer my couples on as they reach each new milestone in their lives.
As an Enneagram 2 relationships are everything to me. I eat, sleep, and breathe relationships. I’ve always been the type of person who wants to do everything for everyone else. And as my enneagram enthusiasts know, that can exhaust a person really quick, and leave them feeling unappreciated. For as long as I can remember, and especially after having kids, I really struggled with my identity and self-worth. Between serving my clients, and my family, there’s very little time ever left for me. The boudoir side of my business began out of a need for me to focus on my relationship with myself for a change. As I grew, I realized how many other women out there must feel the same and struggle with the same thoughts. I wanted to change that.
My boudoir experience focuses on teaching women how to love and value themselves. It reminds them that they are – as the Bible tells us – “fearfully and wonderfully made” and “far more precious than rubies.” No matter what they look like, no matter what they tell themselves, no matter the trauma they’ve experienced – they are beautiful just the way they are. It’s my goal to remind them, and equip them with the knowledge and tools they need, to call themselves worthy every single day. Through boudoir photography, we focus on body positivity and speaking kindness over ourselves. To sum it up in two short words – Women Empowerment.
Any big plans?
I’ve specialized in Weddings for the last 5 years, and in that time, I’ve photographed a few destination weddings as well. Travel has become such a passion for me through this job! So, I’m really trying to pursue the elopement and destination wedding path. If I can get paid to do what I love all while seeing God’s glorious creation, I’ll have truly lived a full life.
I’ve been working with an amazing Website and Graphic Designer to create a brand fully focused on this goal. My new logo is fabulous, and my website is being finalized as we speak. I’ve even designed some new business cards to hand out.
As for the boudoir side of my business, I’ve got tons of ideas. But my biggest goal will be obtaining my own studio. In the past, I’ve rented and shared studio spaces, but it’s hard to really create your own vision in a space that you can’t fully customize. The last 2 years I’ve done boudoir out of the spare bedroom in our home. And while it’s worked great, I’d love to upgrade to a bigger, more flexible space! And I’ll get there soon! But for now, I’m starting where I am and using what I have.
We’ve also talked a little bit about moving into the city, or over to the KS side. So, there’re tons of opportunities and changes to come!
Pricing:
- Full-Day Weddings start at $2500
- Boudoir starts at $500
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.wonderwoodphotography.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/wonderwoodphotography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/wonderwoodphotographyllc
- Other: www.instagram.com/wonderbabes.selflove
Image Credits
Wonderwood Photography, LLC
