Conversations with Brianna Knodel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianna Knodel.  

Hi Brianna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

Yes, I am very happy to be here and have a chance to introduce myself! My name is Brianna Knodel and I am the owner of Faughn Photography. I am based out of Yuma, Arizona, but I thoroughly enjoy any opportunity to travel and shoot when I can.

I still remember the first time i picked up a camera. It was my mom’s 35mm camera and I was trying to capture the lightning that was giving a grand show over our backyard. I was about 10 then. Years later, capturing photos started as a hobby with my phone and finally, in 2012, I got my first ‘real’ camera. A Nikon Coolpix L810 and I went everywhere with it, taking pictures of anything and everything I thought was interesting. It wasn’t until 2015 that I purchased my first DSLR, a Canon Rebel T3i. I joined a camera club and entered a few contests over the following years. Won a best of show ribbon in 2017, and took home five first-place ribbons, 4-second place, and four third-place ribbons. After that, I entered the Calgary Stampede photo competition in 2018, and 2019, taking my first official win in 2018 in the First Nations category with a Native American image I call ‘First Encounter’, and two official first-place awards the following year in First Nations with ‘Spirit of the Walking Man’ and Western Wildlife and Landscapes with ‘Sunset Run’. I started a sole proprietorship business in 2018 and launched an online store last year. I participate in art shows across Arizona and I am looking forward to many more shows in the future. Sharing my work brings me such joy.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
This journey has been bumpy but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. One of the major things that I struggle with is marketing and not being able to travel around like I used to. It really helped keep my library bursting with new images. I’m always learning how to take better images and improve myself, but the business side of things is a handful, to say the least. Making deadlines and updates is sometimes a challenge while still having a full-time job. However, the challenges have always given me opportunities to grow in new ways I never would have if it wasn’t for this career. I have met amazing people along this journey and am very grateful for the supporters of my art.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I mainly specialize in landscape and wildlife photography because it’s so abundant, and I like to dabble in Western art. But I am mainly known for my Native American images.

I think what I’m most proud of is that I jumped out of my comfort zone and started a business. It’s scary starting something new and not having help with it, not knowing the ins and outs and rules. But I did it, I’ve broken out of my shell so much that sometimes I don’t even recognize myself and it’s an amazing feeling.

My drive and passion for photography I believe sets me apart from others. I want everyone to be able to enjoy fine art, not just a select few. Now, I know my work is not as lavish as some other photographers out there, but I believe that I have that little spark that the better-known photographers started with. I am always happy to speak to people about my work and help other photographers achieve their goals, no matter how big or small they may be

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Patience. I’ve never been a patient person really and with wildlife you have to be patient. I’ve been able to use that to my benefit in my business by slowing down and doing things right. Not rushing through something because the process is an arduous task. I tell myself that it’s ok if it takes a couple of days to finish something, I know it will be done correctly. Patience is most definitely a virtue and I’ve learned the hard way that it’s an asset and not a detriment.

Pricing:

• 105
• 217
• 350

Contact Info:

• Email: Faughnphotog@outlook.com
• Website: Faughnphotography.com
• Facebook: Facebook.com/faughnphotography
• Other: https://faughnphotography.company.site/