Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Bryant
Hi Kelsey, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into the captivating world of photography wasn’t some grand, meticulously planned expedition. It was more like a chaotic, joyful stumble fueled by an insatiable desire to freeze time, especially when it involved my friends. Back in the prehistoric era of disposable cameras, I was that friend. You know the one. The one who’d dramatically fling an arm around your shoulder, strike a pose that would make a flamingo jealous, and yell, “Take a picture!” even if the sun was directly overhead and the resulting photo would be a blinding white blob. Remember sepia tones? yup, I thought that edit style was cool.
My family, bless their picture-loving hearts, were major enablers. Especially my late grandfather, they treated every family gathering like a royal portrait session. Birthdays, holidays, even just a Tuesday night dinner – all documented with the fervor of paparazzi chasing a celebrity. Looking back, I realize they were instilling in me the importance of preserving memories, even if it meant enduring grandpas slide shows.
College is where things got real, or at least as real as they could get on a student budget fueled by ramen and questionable cafeteria coffee. That’s where I discovered the magic of a DSLR. I rented a clunky beast of a canon from the campus media center. My friends became my willing (and sometimes slightly bewildered) subjects. We’d spend hours exploring the campus, me snapping away, them trying to look natural while simultaneously dodging rogue frisbees and squirrels plotting world domination. It was free entertainment, a great way to bond, get some fresh air (and maybe a freeze during winter months), and pretend we were on the cover of Vogue.
Then, then-boyfriend, (a man with exceptional taste and even better instincts) intervened.
He noticed my passion, the way my eyes lit up when I talked about lenses and apertures, the sheer joy I exuded when I managed to capture a genuinely good photo. And, in a move that sealed his “keeper” status, he surprised me with my very own DSLR. A Nikon, no less, procured from the wilds of Craigslist. It was a slightly used, slightly battered, but utterly perfect machine.
My photographic journey since then has been a wild ride and lots of mistakes made along the way but also so much growth. I’ve since learned that my profoundest moments usually involve my dog and a sunbeam. My subjects and style have shifted and morphed over the years, like a photographic chameleon adapting to its surroundings. Since 2017, I’ve been blessed to capture the joy, the tears, the laughter, and the love stories of countless couples as a professional wedding and lifestyle portrait photographer. And honestly, I wouldn’t trade it for all the disposable cameras in the world.
Though, I still have a soft spot for those blurry, sun-drenched memories of my youth.
They remind me that sometimes, the most beautiful photos are the ones that capture not just a moment, but the pure, unadulterated joy of creating.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My photography journey was a scrappy, self-taught climb from ground zero. Armed with passion and a camera, but no clue what I was doing, I learned through countless blurry photos and cringe-worthy edits. YouTube was my mentor, and my dog, my patient friends, my first subjects. Being self-taught meant figuring out the business side too – marketing, branding, accounting – all foreign concepts. My initial attempts were laughable. To pay the bills, I juggled multiple jobs, styled shoots, nannying, teaching, and anything to keep my dream alive. The struggle was real, with constant self-doubt and imposter syndrome. But passion kept me going. Slowly, I learned, devouring books, joining communities, and eventually investing in coaching.
It was messy, chaotic, and stressful, but my journey. Every mistake and late night fueled by caffeine and determination brought me closer to where I am today, teaching me resilience and the value of jumping in headfirst.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a wedding and lifestyle portrait photographer, and my journey to get here was a scrappy, self-taught climb from ground zero. I specialize in capturing genuine moments of love and connection – the joy, the laughter, the tears, all the real stuff that makes life beautiful. I’m known for creating images that are both timeless and authentic, capturing the essence of who my clients are and the stories they’re living. I strive to create a comfortable and fun experience for my clients, so they feel relaxed and can truly be themselves in front of the camera.
I’m most proud of the fact that I built this business from scratch, starting with absolutely no experience or knowledge of the industry. I learned everything the hard way, through trial and error, countless hours of practice, and a whole lot of determination. I’m proud of the resilience I’ve shown, the way I’ve pushed through self-doubt and the challenges of building a business while juggling multiple jobs.
What sets me apart, I think, is my genuine passion for what I do and my commitment to creating a personal connection with each of my clients. I’m not just taking pictures; I’m telling stories. I want my clients to look at their photos and not just see beautiful images, but feel the emotions of that moment, and remember the joy, the love, the connection. That’s what drives me, and that’s what I strive to deliver in every session. My self-taught background also gives me a unique perspective, and I’m not afraid to experiment and try new things. I think that willingness to learn and grow is essential in this ever-evolving industry.
Though in 2026 I will no longer be taking on full-day weddings and taking on more elopement, intimate style weddings along with a shift in creative drive to capturing lifestyle moments in various vacation rentals and airbnbs. While still accepting lifestyle portraits.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My journey to becoming a wedding and lifestyle photographer wasn’t a solo climb. While I’m proud of the self-taught aspect and the hard work I’ve put in, I absolutely wouldn’t be where I am today without the incredible support system I’ve been blessed with. My friends and family were my earliest cheerleaders (and often, my first, slightly bewildered, subjects). They tolerated my early experiments, offered encouragement even when the photos were…let’s just say “a work in progress,” and celebrated every small victory along the way. They were my constant source of belief, even when I doubted myself.
My husband deserves an immense amount of credit. He saw my passion and nurtured it, surprising me with my first “real” camera (procured from the wilds of Craigslist, no less!). He’s been my rock, my sounding board, and my biggest fan, always believing in me even when I was overwhelmed by the challenges of building a business. He’s the one who pushed me to take the leap, to invest in myself, and to keep going when things got tough.
My local community has also played a huge role. Other vendors, from florists to makeup artists, took a chance on me early on, collaborating on styled shoots and referring me to their clients. These collaborations were invaluable, not only giving me experience and portfolio material but also connecting me with other professionals in the industry. They were willing to share their knowledge and offer advice, helping me navigate the often-confusing world of wedding and event photography.
And of course, my clients deserve so much credit. They trusted me to capture their most precious moments, their love stories, their families. They took a chance on a photographer who was still finding her footing, and their faith in me fueled my growth and inspired me to keep pushing myself. Their positive feedback and referrals have been instrumental in building my business.
While I didn’t have one specific mentor, I’ve found guidance and support in so many different people. Online photography communities were a lifeline, a place to ask questions, share struggles, and connect with other photographers.
Even seemingly small interactions, a kind word from a fellow photographer or a supportive comment on social media, have made a difference. It truly takes a village, and I’m incredibly grateful for the village that has supported me on this journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kelseyleephotographymn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelseyleephotographymn
