Today we’d like to introduce you to Todd & Angela Barnett.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
This wonderful journey began in 2006 when Todd purchased a Nikon camera to document a family vacation. He instantly fell in love with photography and spent years learning and refining his craft while serving in the Air Force as a firefighter. What started as a side passion photographing local portrait sessions eventually grew into weddings and a full time business. The years we spent living in Alaska especially shaped his love for natural light, landscapes, and creating portraits that feel connected to the beauty of their surroundings, something that continues to inspire our work throughout the Lowcountry today.
I sporadically joined Todd throughout those early years and eventually stepped fully into the business after he retired and I finished my career as a dental hygienist. Coastal Chic Studios officially launched in 2016, and we are incredibly grateful for the love and support we’ve received from our clients ever since. It has truly been a joy and honor to serve families and couples from all over the world.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been mostly smooth because this has truly been an adventure we’ve been able to build together. Having each other to lean on through the busy seasons and challenges has made all the difference.
Our previous careers translated naturally into running a photography business. Todd’s military background gave him incredible organizational and technical skills, while his up beat personality and sense of humor gave clients a sense of calm almost instantly. My background as a dental hygienist taught me communication, patience, and how to help people feel at ease, especially in high stress moments.
Of course, like any creative business, we’ve had moments of self doubt and growing pains along the way. Learning to fully trust ourselves and our vision took time, but the encouragement from our clients and the relationships we’ve built through this work have made us more confident and grateful with every passing year.
As you know, we’re big fans of Coastal Chic Studios. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We’re a husband and wife photography team based in Savannah, Georgia, specializing in weddings, elopements, and portrait photography throughout the Southeast coast. At the heart of everything we do is connection. We want every client to feel genuinely cared for, comfortable, and fully themselves in front of our cameras because the most meaningful photographs come from real emotion, not forced moments.
Our approach is boutique and experience driven, blending thoughtful guidance with a relaxed atmosphere so our couples and families can simply be present with the people they love most. We photograph in a classic, true to life style that feels timeless and honest, preserving moments exactly as they felt.
We especially love working in Charleston, a place that will always feel like home to us. We raised our children there and spent 12 wonderful years building our life in the Lowcountry. That connection gives every celebration we photograph there an even deeper meaning and sense of nostalgia for our family.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Nothing specific but we find connecting with nature, listening to music, gardening spending time with family and anything related to strengthening our faith keeps us grounded and focused so that we may give our best selves to our work and the people that mean the most to us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://coastalchicstudios.com and https://www.specialkicks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coastalchicstudios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coastalchicstudios/about/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTkG8jUbB/
