Today we’d like to introduce you to Aubrey Tran
Hi Aubrey, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Aubrey and I am a professional wedding and portrait photographer based in Charlotte, North Carolina. My photography journey started in college when I did a marketing internship abroad in Ireland. I bought a simple, point-and-shoot camera and fell in love with landscape photography. After college, I worked at the City of Grand Rapids Development Center in communications as well as digital marketing for a few breweries on the side. I soon realized I loved photography more than any other part of the communications and marketing field. Shortly after, I took a leap and re-located to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii where I was only supposed to live for 3 months. I fell head over heels for the relaxed island lifestyle and all of the incredible people who lived there. After working at Kona Brewing Company for a year, I decided one day I wanted to make my photography hobby into a career. It took a lot more learning, hardship, and perseverance than I had ever dreamed of but I was able to go all-in on my dream and have been doing portrait photography full-time ever since.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has absolutely not been smooth.. wheewww. I will say, I feel very lucky to have started my business in Hawaii where they are many tourists and tons of opportunities for photography. I honed in my skills by learning from mentors, online classes, and taking on photoshoots nearly every day, sometimes multiple times a day. I truly lived and breathed portrait photography for about two years… I still do a bit as well, but now I am working on more balance in my life. When I started, I was so naive to how incredibly skilled professional photographers are. I picked up my camera and said to myself “this seems east, I have an eye for it.. I can do it.” But just like anything, the more you learn about something, the more you realize how complex it truly is. When I got to the point of having enough knowledge to know how little I actually knew, and how hard it would be for me to learn it all.. I fully panicked. I felt like a failure. I left I could never have the skills of the incredible artists out there. I almost quit. But something inside me told me not to give up on myself and I had a lot of support from family and friends. From there, I learned so much about the technical side of photography, lighting, and more importantly – running a business that provides a smooth, enjoyable expereince for my customers and images that they can reminisce with for a lifetime.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a professional wedding and portrait photographer based in Charlotte, North Carolina. I specialize in creating timeless photographic art of moments and memories. I strive to create images that capture the moment, encompass true love and will last through the generations. My photography career started while I was living in Hawaii and because of the beauty of Hawaii and the amount of people who travel there every day, I was able to completely immerse myself in photography and hone in my skills every single day. I became completely obsessed with trying to take my art to new levels and creating an experience that people truly enjoyed.
I think what sets me apart is my genuine love for all of those who I am lucky enough to capture. I want people to feel beautiful, seen, and comfortable. I have such a deep love for life and others, but I know each moment is fleeting and I love to be able to capture a moment in time that people can cherish for a lifetime.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up I was a social butterfly. I love to laugh and joke around with my friends and family. I played a lot of sports but my true passion has probably always been putting on events for those I love. I have been planning fun occasions and outings for friends and family since before I can remember. I have always valued quality time with family and friends as well as making the mundane every day into an experience to remember. Nothing makes me happier than seeing those I love happy and enjoying themseves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aubreyelizabethphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreyelizabeth.photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Aubreyelizabethphotography/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@aubreytran3697
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@aubrey_elizabeth_tran?lang=en
