Feature Friday - Briana Averwater, Family Photographer

Meet Briana Averwater, the talented family photographer capturing cherished moments and creating lasting memories. Originally a Tennessee native and now settled in California, Briana’s passion for family photography is evident in her authentic and nostalgic portraits. With her recent sign-up with Iris, she’s excited to streamline her business operations and enhance customer experiences. Join us in celebrating Briana’s remarkable work and the beautiful connections she creates through her lens.

Briana Averwater, Tell us a little about yourself!

My name is Briana but you can call me Bri. I’m a Tennessee Native & recent transplant to the Bay Area. We thought we’d only be here for two years but now that we’re settled, we love it so much! I’m a family photographer, yoga teacher, and outdoor enthusiast. I usually spend too much time watching puppy videos on Instagram and I can inhale a bowl of noodles faster than you can say Pad Thai. When I’m not looking at puppy pictures or eating noodles, I also practice the Israeli martial art Krav Maga, which I love. (In the words of Mr. Rogers: “I’m not very good at it, but it doesn’t matter.”)

What do you specialize in? What made you want to focus on that specialty/specialties?

I specialize exclusively in family photography. I love and celebrate my own family as one of the most precious, cherished things in life. Family portraits are infinitely powerful, especially as time passes and images are passed down through the generations. Capturing each stage of life is deeply worthwhile— perhaps even more meaningful and valuable than we understand in that moment. As an artist, I strive to capture authentic moments of each of my families.

How did you first get started in photography?

I’ve had a camera in my hand as long as I can remember. As a child, I wanted to become a National Geographic Photographer. Like millions of others, I was awed by the colorful, evocative photos of this gorgeous planet captured in that magazine. I was inexplicably drawn to the bustling markets, the lively street scenes, the exotic animals, and the panoramic views I could only imagine in my wildest dreams. When I grew up, I set off to explore this beautiful world (40+ countries) for three years after college, camera in hand the whole time. Now I’ve settled in the US and recently moved to California, turning my lens to capture the subtle beauty and nostalgic intimacy of family portraits.

How has using Iris impacted your business?

I’m a recent sign up! My business has grown quickly in the last few months and I’m excited to get booking and responses automated so I can scale up my businesses as I’m growing, especially before the busy fall season. Having an automatic response to all inquiries, and a quick booking calendar where they can immediately book a phone call with me, is cutting back on several back and forth emails for each client. That alone will save me tons of time! The online booking calendar also looks more professional. My favorite features are automated responses and online booking! The location map is helpful too!

What are your future goals for your business? What are you looking forward to?

I will raise prices slightly on January 1 of this year. By the end of 2021, my third year in this area, I plan to reach the six figure mark. This year has been rocky but I’ve had some months already which make that goal a hopeful probability.