We had the good fortune of connecting with Sabrina Brodley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sabrina, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
Photography to me is making a fleeting moment in time stand still, allowing that moment to be relived and cherished.

I love this reminder of my definition of photography; it reminds me that I’m telling the stories of people’s lives through images. It reminds me to think of how that image should best be portrayed where it’ll be something timeless and beautiful enough to want to look at it over and over again, like a piece of art. Because art makes life beautiful.

My favorite quote to live by right now is by filmmaker Jennifer Lee, “Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire”.
It’s so powerful and makes me want to live life to the fullest.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think one thing that sets me apart from others is that I deliver so many (too many?!) photos. I’m like a picture hoarder! Who’s to say that a photo that I don’t think is worth saving is one my client won’t like either?! So I try to include as many photos as possible.
My photography business officially started in 2013. Let me rewind: I had a baby at the end of 2011. The iPod Touch that had all of my maternity selfies (I don’t even know if maternity photos were even a thing back then) and all of my son’s first everythings (for his first few months), had gotten stolen and I lost all of those pictures and videos. I was devastated. I also had hired someone to take milestone pictures of his first year (3, 6, 9, 12 months) and although the sessions were affordable, the prints and digital images were not! To this day I regret not purchasing at least some of the digital images. So I decided that I’d just buy a big girl camera and start documenting my son’s childhood myself. I learned everything I know though online research and TONS of practice. I began posting photos online, and that’s when people started asking me if I was doing photography! And so it began. I thought, “Hey, this is a way to make money while being a stay at home mom!”
At the beginning, I offered free sessions for friends, and I put myself out there on Craigslist as a new photographer. I joined lead services like Thumbtack and WeddingWire. I remember my very first paid session I got from Craigslist was an hour drive away from me, I brought my oldest son to help watch the baby while I took pictures, and I charged $25, to basically cover the gas money. And this first client, (Megan I’m talking about you!) is still my client today! I have watched her and her family grow over these past 12 years and it makes my heart so happy. I’m literally tearing up right now! I’ve made some mistakes along the way, but each time I’ve tried to learn from them and do better!
Some lessons I’ve learned are: understanding my worth, backing up photos is crucial (I’ve had cards fail!), referrals are golden, and sometimes the best thing I can do for my creativity is to take a step back, have a breather, and live a little!
It’s funny how life works; to be honest, I never thought I would be doing photography. I excelled in math and went to MTSU for accounting. But looking back, my interest had always been art. I just thought I was never good at it, let alone make money at it. I remember my high school art teacher, Mrs. Gaither, always bugging me to go to college for art, and I love her for it. She saw potential in me that I didn’t see myself. All of this to say, you never know where life takes you, don’t be afraid to try new things, and enjoy the ride! I’m proud of myself for taking the leap into the photography industry and I’m so excited to see where this will take me so if anyone is wanting to do a destination wedding, hit ya girl up! Haha!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh goodness get ready to see my list of top 30 favorite places! This is assuming the above Friend is a fellow rock-climber:

Monday: Pick up Friend from Nashville airport and we immediately grab coffee from Elegy. We’ll then go to the John Sieber Pedestrian Bridge and ride the electric scooters around the park. Lunch will be at my favorite Korean restaurant, Korea House. After lunch we’ll do some more walking and check out the Frist Art Museum, and throw frisbees at Centennial Park. For dinner we’ll go to Anatolia, and have the best hummus, Turkish home made ravioli, and chicken shish-kabobs!

Tuesday: We’ll have coffee from our favorite coffee shop in Nashville, Sump! Then we’ll go do some indoor rock-climbing at Climb Nashville West since I’m a member and have free passes. After a couple of hours, we’ll go do the best Indian buffet ever, Woodlands. For dessert we’ll go to the Farmer’s Market, and take a stroll through the Tennesse Museum since it’s right there! For dinner and drinks we would go our favorite Italian restaurant, Cafe Nonna and ask for Gus to be our waiter!

Wednesday: We are waking up early today because we will be heading towards Monteagle to go outdoor climbing at Foster Falls! But first we’ll stop for coffee at our favorite coffee shop in Murfreesboro, Brasshorn. After a full day of climbing and cooling off at the waterfall, we will eat dinner at Shenanigans in Sewanee since our first choice, Mountain Goat Market, will be closed on this day (womp womp womp!).

Thursday: This time we will be heading to Chattanooga to do some trad climbing at Sunset Park! But first, of course, we must grab coffee from Ugly Mugs. After climbing the hill back to the parking lot, we will be ready for Spicy Cheeky Wings from Sluggo’s.

Friday: Can’t come to TN and climb without going to the Obed and visiting our friend JB at his campground, The Rez. He has the cutest cabins, kitchen area, bathrooms, sauna, hot tub, and yoga deck! After climbing the steep sandstone we will take a dip in the river, then enjoy music and drinks at the Lily Pad Hopyard and Brewery.

Saturday: We will stay local and grab coffee at the Funky Monkey in Nashville, and do a tour of the Olive and Sinclair Chocolate Factory (and buy the chili cinnamon chocolate bars of course!). After that, we would either go to the Nashville Zoo or walk around the Opryland Hotel until we got hungry and then go to an awesome sushi restaurant, Sonobona. Later we’ll go walk around downtown Nashville (Nashvegas) and show Friend what all the fuss is about. I’m sure we’ll get to see live music just about everywhere!

Sunday: Last day and we will grab a coffee to-go from Elevate in Lebanon, do the day trail hike at Long Hunter State Park, head to Murfreesboro and get a hot quick Jamaican meal from the Hungry Spot. We’ll then get matching tattoos from PureHeart (from Lala of course!), and end it with amazing authentic Thai food from our favorite Thai restaurant in Murfreesboro, Thai Spice.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to my repeat clients who have become friends and family, my people who refer me to anyone needing photography services any chance they get, and new clients willing to trust me and my vision! Special shoutout to Courtney and Jason with the Country Crossroads Event Barn for letting me be their photographer for their inclusive wedding packages!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bina.brodley_photography/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BinaBrodleyPhotography

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bina-brodley-photography-lebanon?osq=bina+brodley+photography&override_cta=Request+quote+%26+availability

Image Credits
Nina Cox took my personal photo

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutTennessee is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.