Let me tell y’all something right now.

Alexandria did NOT wanna take these doctoral grad photos. 😭

Like from our very first conversation, my girl was basically like, “Bryant… I know I need the pictures, but I am not excited about this at all.”

And honestly? I appreciated that so much because whew, REAL.

Not everybody is naturally a “book a photoshoot just because” type of person. Some people are overwhelmed. Some people are exhausted. Some people are finishing an entire DOCTORAL PROGRAM and barely holding on by a thread trying to get everything done.

That was Alexandria.

She reached out because she needed graduation photos for finishing her doctorate at Old Dominion University, but she also wanted portraits she could use for future real estate ventures too. So we needed this session to feel elevated, professional, celebratory, and still very much HER.

But baby… she was stressed. 😂

Planning a photoshoot felt like just one more thing sitting on top of an already overflowing to do list. And honestly, I think so many people can relate to that feeling.

Because sometimes you KNOW something matters.
You KNOW you’ll be happy you documented it later.
But in the moment? You’re tired. You’re busy. You don’t feel like posing. You don’t know what to wear. You lowkey wanna cancel and take a nap instead.

I get it.

Now between me and y’all? I was a little nervous before the session too. Not because of Alexandria specifically, but because I genuinely care about people having a good experience with me. I love creating spaces where people can relax, laugh, feel hyped up, and leave feeling better than they did when they walked in.

So hearing somebody say upfront they weren’t excited had me thinking:

“Alright Bryant… you gotta WORK today.” 😭

But the SECOND she got in the studio, I was like:

“Nope. We’re about to have a good time and get you some fire photos.”

And that’s exactly what happened.

Somewhere between the outfit changes, me hyping her up every five seconds, us laughing, and her seeing the back of the camera, you could literally SEE her confidence shifting in real time.

At one point during the shoot she looked at one of the photos and was like:

“Wait… who is THAT?”

GIRL. YOU. 😂

And THAT is why I love what I do so much.

Because sometimes people just need the space to finally see themselves the way everybody else already sees them.

Alexandria is beautiful. Like stunning. But more than that, she’s accomplished, intelligent, driven, polished, and entering a completely new season of life. I wanted these photos to feel like the visual version of stepping into your next chapter with confidence.

The plum blazer dress? Whew. Boss energy immediately.

The white suit? Clean. Timeless. Expensive looking. Real estate headshot but make it editorial. Paired with the DR initial rings she got from TheMoso Jewelry Company on Etsy?

And once we brought out the doctoral regalia? Yeah. THAT was the moment. Because suddenly it wasn’t just “taking pictures.” It became documenting proof of everything she survived, sacrificed, prayed through, cried through, and worked for.

That doctorate didn’t happen overnight.

And honestly, I think that’s why I wanted to share this session the way I am instead of just posting pretty pictures and moving on.

Because I know somebody reading this probably feels exactly like Alexandria did.

You’ve been putting off photos because you don’t feel photogenic.
Or because life has been heavy.
Or because you’re awkward in front of the camera.
Or because the thought of planning something for yourself feels exhausting.

But please hear me when I say this:

You do not have to be a “picture person” to deserve beautiful photos.

You do not have to know how to pose.
You do not have to show up confident.
You do not have to perform.

That’s literally my job.

My job is to guide you through the awkwardness until it stops feeling awkward. To help you loosen up. To remind you you’re actually THAT girl. Or THAT man. Or THAT person.

And most importantly, to make sure your life has evidence.

Because one day you’re gonna look back at this version of yourself and realize how powerful this season actually was.

And trust me… you’re gonna be glad you took the photos.

Alexandria, I’m so proud of you. Thank you for trusting me even when you weren’t excited about the process. You absolutely did your thing and these photos feel like everything this milestone deserved.

Want grad photos of your own?

If you’ve been thinking about booking your own graduation, branding, or milestone session but keep talking yourself out of it because you’re “awkward,” “not photogenic,” or “too busy,” this is your sign to stop waiting.

I got you. Let’s chat about how we can celebrate you!

And I promise we’re gonna have a good time too. 😂