Hey ladies! We are bringing back our Member Spotlight blog series, featuring our Members — influencers, entrepreneurs, bloggers, and bosses alike! First up for Nashville: Courtney Breeden, a commercial & portrait photographer based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Q: Tell us a little about you, girl!
A: Hey, ladies! My name is Courtney Breeden – what a pleasure it is to meet you all! I was born in Woodstock, Georgia, but I now reside with my husband, Andrew, just a hair south of Nashville, Tennessee. I attended Kennesaw State University for two years, pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education, prior to transferring to Liberty University [Online], where I worked towards a degree in Religion with a focus on Biblical and Theological Studies and a concentration in Christian Counseling. Though I never finished college / my degree, I couldn’t be happier or more grateful with the experiences along the way that brought me to where I am today. When I’m not working my 9-5 or capturing homes / people / places with my camera, you can find Andrew and I trying out new restaurants + coffee shops, sipping craft beers, or soaking up the sunshine!
Q: What inspired you to start your own business?
A: Honestly, COVID and my sweet husband! After getting furloughed twice and having nothing but time on my side, Andrew really encouraged me to start chasing after my dreams. Creating, in the form of photography, is all that I have ever wanted to do – being able to share my perspective, what my eyes could see, and tell a story.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about being a photographer?
A: Simply sharing the beauty that lies before me with the world. Whether it be people, interiors, brands, details, or anything that catches the light, I love being able to visually story-tell through capturing what I see.
Q: What’s your biggest piece of advice for someone looking to find their passion?
A: Find the thing that you can’t stop thinking about! The thing that keeps you up at night because you have idea after idea. Find *that* thing, and just start. That’s the key as well – starting. You’ll never be 100% ready, and if you wait until then, you’ll always be waiting. Just start – sure, failures will happen, successes will too, but that’s how you grow, know what works vs. what doesn’t, and how you’ll get to the place that you dream of one day being! You CAN do this – believing in you from my pocket of the world, always!
Q: Tell us about a few things that are currently inspiring you and your work.
A: Slow living, coffee table books, seeing the world / travel, the way that light pours in and onto things, and quietness. My best work / ideas always come from being still and when I’m personally coming from a place that’s slow vs. hurried.
Q: You know Girl Gang is all about finding and spotlighting the coolest spots around town. What does your ideal weekend in Nashville look like currently?
A: LOVE this question! Grabbing brunch at lou, if you can get in, is the best (and yummiest!) way to kick the weekend off – by far the *best* brunch in town! Next up, a stroll around the farmer’s market, more coffee, lunch at Radish, and picking out fresh flowers, always! Rounding out the day looks like sipping on what Southern Grist has on tap and hopping around to our favorite shops before grabbing dinner, either at Two Ten Jack, O-Ku, or Butcher and Bee!
Q: What’s your favorite thing about being a Nashville Girl Gang Member so far?
A: My new friends, all of the fun events and happy hours (you truly meet someone new every single time), and the opportunities through networking! We moved here *literally* the week the world shut down – hardly knowing anyone. Nashville Girl Gang has been an absolute blessing! I don’t know if / how I would have ever met the ladies, who are now great, great friends, or made the incredible business connections that I now have, if it weren’t for girl gang. If you’re considering joining – 100% go for it! I couldn’t recommend it enough!
There you have it, ladies.
A little peek into Courtney’s journey + some of her incredible advice on following your dreams. Follow along on Instagram and see more of her breathtaking photography here.
Who should we spotlight next?! Leave a comment below!
