We recently had the chance to connect with brittney kelsey and have shared our conversation below.
Hi brittney, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
One of the biggest misconceptions about my business is that people compare it to chain portrait studios like Portrait Innovations or JCPenney. My work is completely different. I create high end, elevated photography that is customized to each client. Every image is carefully edited with precision, from skin retouching to hair, clothing adjustments, and refined Photoshop work, so the final product looks polished, timeless, and intentional.
I don’t just take pictures. I craft images that elevate someone’s brand, business, or personal milestones. Whether it is weddings, engagements, or portraits for high-end clientele, my goal is to deliver an experience and a gallery that feels luxurious, professional, and far beyond what you would find in a walk in studio.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Brittney Kelsey, but most people know me as Bre, the owner of Bodiedbybre Photography and Kelsey Collective Weddings. I’m a professional photographer based in Southaven, Mississippi, and I specialize in creating elevated, high end imagery for weddings, engagements, brands, and individuals who want more than just pictures, they want an experience.
What makes my work unique is the intentionality behind every shot. I don’t just capture a moment, I refine it. From detailed editing that enhances skin, hair, and clothing, to the overall creative direction of a shoot, my goal is to deliver images that feel timeless, polished, and unforgettable. While I often work with high end clientele, I believe everyone deserves the luxury of feeling celebrated and captured at their very best. That means everyday people can also enjoy a high end experience and walk away with images that look and feel extraordinary.
Right now, I’m focused on expanding my wedding brand, partnering with businesses and continuing to create photography that inspires confidence and tells powerful stories through imagery.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was realizing that my strength doesn’t come from me, it comes from Jesus living in me. That’s my true source of power. He makes me untouchable, intriguing, and great, and as long as I move in His will, His name will always get the glory out of my life and my work. Because of Him, my clients, my children, my associates, even strangers can benefit from the fruit of the Lord that flows through me. He teaches me to love people even when they don’t deserve it, and He constantly reminds me that with Him I can do the impossible. I know I can’t prosper without Jesus. No one else can make me powerful but Him.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a time I almost gave up. When I was in paramedic school, I was a new mom with no money, no sleep, and a schedule that felt impossible. I had already gone through EMT basic on a fast track program, and shortly after finishing that I enrolled in medic school for a year and a half. Every day was a constant back and forth dropping my babies at daycare, driving miles to school, sitting in class all day, going through labs, then picking them up only to head right back out to clinical sites for rotations. On top of that, I had to work 24-hour shifts on the ambulance as an EMT to make ends meet, while carrying the weight of the things I saw working in the city of Memphis.
I missed first steps and milestones with my babies. I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and classes kept getting harder. Cardiology especially was kicking my butt. I was ready to quit, until my teacher, Mrs. Lisa, pulled me aside and told me, ‘We need more people like you in the field. There aren’t many women who do what you do.’ That encouragement kept me from walking away. I pushed through, and eventually I earned my Associate of Science degree as a paramedic. It was one of the hardest journeys of my life, but it taught me that I could survive what felt impossible.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I commend Beyoncé not because of her fame or power, but because of her incredible character and relentless work ethic. I don’t idolize her, but I deeply respect the way she carries herself and the discipline she pours into her craft. Her imagination, her ability to weave history into her art, and the way she brings mysterious and unexpected ideas to life is inspiring. She knows the roles of everyone around her and holds people to a higher standard. she doesn’t let anyone play in her face. She researches, she studies, and she has an incredible eye for the future of music, especially in the way she highlights and includes Black culture. In many ways, she reminds me of myself committed, visionary, and unafraid to push boundaries.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes, absolutely. I’ve learned that real purpose doesn’t come from applause or recognition, it comes from doing what God called me to do. Even if no one ever praised me, I would still give my best, because my work is not just for people, it’s unto the Lord. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” That scripture keeps me grounded. Praise fades, but the fruit of what I sow into others, whether it’s through my photography, my service, or simply how I love people lasts far longer. Knowing that God sees me and is pleased with me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bodiedbybre.com
- Instagram: bodiedbybre_
- Facebook: Bodiedbybre_rx
- Youtube: Bodiedbybre Photography
Image Credits
Bodiedbybre Photography
www.bodiedbybre.com
