Get to know me a little, why don't ya?

Is Brandy Wine your real name?

Yes, Brandy Wine is my actual birth name—no stage names here. I know there are quite a few “Brandywine Photography” businesses out there, but my name’s 100% authentic.

How long have you been a photographer?

With nearly 19 years of experience, it’s hard to recall a time in my life when I didn’t have a camera in hand. Funny enough, my last job before fully diving into photography was at Sears Portrait Studio. I quit my job there to pursue photography full-time in 2007.

What inspired you to start  photography?

I find inspiration in many aspects of life, both big and small. Three of the most significant influences on my journey have been my grandfather, my mother and my son. My grandfather, a Vietnam combat veteran, played a pivotal role in my early development. He documented my first years of life through photography, often setting up photoshoots for me. For him, photography was not just about capturing moments but about fostering creativity and connection, and he always encouraged me with acceptance and words of strength.

My mother was equally influential, nurturing my creativity with her open-mindedness and unwavering support. She embraced life without judgment and filled my world with affirmations, teaching me to appreciate and celebrate the womanly body I am in. Together, their influence helped shape my passion for photography and my deep appreciation for the human spirit.

As a teen mom, I couldn’t afford even the most basic studio packages for my newborn, so I taught myself to shoot film. Following in my grandfather’s footsteps, who had done the same for me, I began creating makeshift studio setups and experimenting with creative ways to document my baby’s early years. My firstborn became a driving force behind my will to make it and a catalyst for my growth, inspiring me to strive for something greater.

What kinds of photography do you offer?

There are eight main photography types I offer: Wedding, Families, Children, Graduates/Prom, Boudoir, Pin-up, Maternity, Couples, and Nude.  Building real connections and giving people stunning photos that make them feel amazing is what it’s all about for me.

How many studios have you had?

Over the past 17 years, I’ve had the privilege of running six different studios. My journey began modestly in my home garage, focusing on pinup photography. Over time, my work evolved, leading me to specialize in the empowering and transformative field of boudoir photography—a path I’ve embraced wholeheartedly.

Today, The House of Boudoir stands as my first luxury boudoir studio, complete with a salon room to provide an elevated experience. Along the way, I’ve gained invaluable insights and nurtured a passion for curating an extensive lingerie collection, offering options in all sizes to celebrate the beauty and uniqueness of every woman.

Where are you from?

I was born into a military family at Camp Lejeune. My parents met and married in Bermuda, where my mother’s family is from, and my father was stationed with the Marines. Pregnant with me, my mother moved to the United States, we lived in Louisiana when I was young before eventually returning to the Carolinas. My family is a beautiful blend of cultures, with strong ties to both the island life of Bermuda and the Cajun traditions and Acadian roots of Louisiana. However, I also have deep roots in Appalachia, where my paternal grandparents are from. They come from a long line of Appalachian musicians; I fully embrace every bit of my heritage, it’s woven into who I am and the story I tell.

What do you like to do in your free time? 

This is where I struggle in life. Giving myself enough free time has never been a priority that I’ve put into place. I am changing this for 2025 and beyond. I have always been an overactive go-getter but now that I’m in my 40’s, I am taking a step back and optimizing my health. I’ve limited my bookings so I can learn to enjoy other thing in life other than working. I’m very fortunate to have a self-made career and its truly a dream that it’s hard to say no to! A work/life balance has been set and I’m looking forward to being able to do some of the many other things that I have a deep passion for. I’m a vegetable and herb gardener and recently got into flower gardening. Give me anything outdoors! Sunshine, dirt, plants. Something I miss doing is sewing! I used to make dresses for photoshoots, dresses for my daughter and designing patterns. I would love to get back into that. I enjoy cooking with world recipes. Tastes of the Mediterranean in my kitchen gives me life. I love my mountain hikes and frequenting the great Appalachia.  My children are grown and my daughter moved to Las Vegas, but we take family trips once a year together. Traveling is hands-down my absolute favorite thing to do when I have down time. Experiencing different cultures, tasting different foods, meeting amazing people who change my life for the better, being humbled, helping others, seeing ancient sites, exploring natural wonders and nature.

What are your future goals?

My fiancé and I along with his mom purchased 50 acres in the Appalachian foothills in October, 2024. It’s a beautiful mix of flat fields, rocky, wooded mountain terrain with a stream and a creek. Our goal is to have our dream homestead/compound.  We plan to expand my green thumb and work towards having a healthier farm to table life (food is medicine!) along with selling produce, cut flowers and possibly a micro-venue. The land will be transformed for other photographers to use! We had a large shed build, I planted a field of spring bulbs and orchard trees are going into the ground soon. I always loved spending time at my grandmother’s farm, it’s something I dreamed of having myself since I was a little girl and I’m excited about a life in nature with the ones I love.