Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Brown.
Hi Susan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Where should I begin…
I have loved taking photos for as long as I can remember, but it didn’t hit me to be a photographer until only a few years ago.
After highschool, I didn’t actually have any idea what I wanted to do, but I would always answer with “business” or something like that. I mean I had a million ideas, like being an actress, cheerleader, something cool and fun, but had to be realistic so… “business”! So I went to MSUM for cheerleading (seriously, I think that is why I stayed there so long!) After a year and half, I decided to switch to The Salon Professional Academy in Fargo. I always loved playing with hair so it made sense that I should do that!
I graduated and moved home, worked at Garden of Grace in Alexandria. I didn’t love the salon life and all the things that come with being a hairstylist. Wearing heels and being on your feet all day is not a good idea! So I had a lot of back pain and I was not very good at cutting hair… probably because I don’t focus very well and jump around too much! But I love and have always loved styling hair!
Anyways, after being in a salon for a while, I decided I needed to finish my business degree. And a business management degree is a great idea because then you can work anywhere! Well, trying to find a job after college wasn’t that easy. Most places did not care about a degree, they wanted experience! And I only had experience in a salon!!
Luckily I had continued working at a salon through college so I kept doing that until I found my career in banking, which I loved! I loved my job in the small town of Brandon where I went to high school. It was great!
And then I meet this amazing guy and we got married in 2015, we had our first baby in 2016, and then I was diagnosed with Graves Disease shortly after. I wanted to have another baby so bad, but with the medication I was on it wasn’t safe so it was recommended to have radiation to kill off the thyroid, so I did and then I didn’t want to have a baby! My emotions were very messed up for a long time! So things change, I changed!
So yea I did love my job for a while, but as I became a wife and a mom, life kept changing and I was changing and I was feeling stuck and didn’t know what to “do” with my work life!
I had done a personality test (Meyer’s Brigg or a test like that, I don’t recall which one for sure) and looking at my personality type and what the career options for that type… and boom…I saw “Photographer” and I was like “duh”!
How had I not thought of this sooner. I mean, I have loved taking pictures for ever and had many many cameras and many albums of photos!
I don’t recall how young I was when I got my first camera, but I know I was young. I believe it was a little blue film camera and I don’t think it worked very well, but I loved it! And I remember getting a little polaroid that printed tiny pictures in a film strip and that was awesome! I had many many disposable cameras! Senior year of high school, I got a Kodak digital camera and it was the coolest thing, I could see the tiny picture on the back! And since then… probably had 20 some digital cameras… because I’m clumsy and they are very easy to break if you are not careful! I take a lot better care of my cameras these days and have insurance on them!
So back to the idea of a career change…
The problem was… I wasn’t actually good at taking pictures and I didn’t actually know anything about “photography,” I just knew that I loved taking photos, I needed more creativity and I needed a change!
So I took online classes, bought a new camera, learned how to use “manual mode” and just kept practicing and figuring things out as I became a “photographer.”
While I was pregnant with my second baby, summer of 2019, I started Colorful Edge Photography! I had an idea in my head that maybe I wouldn’t go back to work after maternity leave, but then when it actually came to the end of my leave, I couldn’t leave my job! I had dedicated so many years and thought I needed to stay!
And then 2020 happened! At that point I had 2 beautiful little girls at home and well it was 2020, I just wanted to focus on my family, being home with my girls and trying to grow a photography business. So I made a crazy decision and quit my job in July 2020.
I think it was the best thing. Since then, I have learned so much about photography AND about being a business owner.
2020, also brought be back into doing wedding hair as a freelance stylist! The one thing I always loved about being a stylist was styling hair! So now I have the perfect gig! I don’t work in a salon, I only freelance to style hair for wedding, events & photoshoots!
Fast forward to 2024… I am a full-time photographer, owner of Colorful Edge Photography and a part-time hairstylist with The Glamour Ranch.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
I think I went a little too deep above! …I don’t know how to separate my story from the challenges! 🙂
Only sometimes smooth! Yes, there have been struggles! Finding a balance between running a business and being present with my family is always a struggle.
Also, I’ve recently learned I have ADHD… and think finding that out made so many things make sense!
And of course photography in general can be a struggle, I am always learning by trial & error (lots of error), taking classes, watching YouTube videos, in person from other photographers… always learning! And there is so much to learn!
One day I might feel like I have everything figured out and the next day I feel like I have no clue what I’m doing! Only exaggerating a little!
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work? What do you do?
I capture all kinds of stories through the lens!
I like clients to feel comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera! I think that makes their images so much more lovable! I love capturing real things and real moments!
I own Colorful Edge Photography and I am also a freelance hairstylist working primarily with The Glamour Ranch.
What do you specialize in?
Branding Photography
What are you known for?
That’s a good question… known for being weird. When it comes to photography, I think I am best known for the Headshot Clinics.
I do not take full credit for these, but I think they definitely got my name out there to our community!
A few years ago my good friend, Paige Meier (owner of The Events Paige) had the idea to host a Headshot Clinic and well it kinda blew up. People love them and we love them!
We host about four a year at different venues near Alexandria. It is mostly women that participate, but we have had some men. We offer Makeup + Hair services prior to their session! The session is a quick 10 minute session, but we go through a lot of poses and sometimes a quick outfit chang and they have a variety of photos to pick from to use as they need!
What are you most proud of?
Being a mom and building a Business
What sets you apart from others?
I think because I act weird and make people feel so uncomfortable that they somehow feel comfortable and show their true self in front of the camera!
I like to get to know clients before and during their session to help warm them up to me and the camera.
I’m also a hairstylist so I can fix and adjust hair if needed during a shoot!
And I love to cheer others on! I always want to support others in their journeys!
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love this community! There is a lot to like! It’s a kinda small town, but yet plenty to do! I love that I am so close to so many lakes!
I love our photography community and how supportive we are of each other!
What do I dislike… just like cold weather and snow! But I guess that’s part of being in Minnesota!
Contact Info:
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Website: https://
colorfuledgephotography.com -
Instagram: @colorful_edge_photography
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Facebook: Colorful Edge Photography by Susan Brown
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Other: Hair Instagram: @susanbrownhair
Image Credits
Spirit + Soul Photography, Hannah Mae Creations
