Life & Work with Breanna McConico-Williams of Dallas Texas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Breanna McConico-Williams.

Hi Breanna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hey loves. My name is Breanna McConico-Williams, and I am an author, photographer, and storyteller from Compton, California. My creative journey began in 2007 during my senior year at Alexander Hamilton High School in West Los Angeles. I decided to take black-and-white photography, and it was there, while spending time in the darkroom, that I discovered my love for creating art through photography. The darkroom became more than just a classroom for me. It became my outlet and a place where I could express myself freely.

In 2010, I continued my photography education at The Art Institute of California–Hollywood in North Hollywood. There, I learned different techniques in digital photography, studio lighting, and working with natural light. I could spend entire days shooting, and I found a sense of peace whenever I was behind the camera.

One of my favorite parts of photography was helping people feel comfortable being photographed. I would often play my clients’ favorite music to help them loosen up and create an environment where they could feel free to be themselves. I wanted them to feel comfortable enough to live in their truth in that moment.

I developed a unique approach to tethered shooting. I would set up the camera, lights, and studio equipment, connect my camera to my laptop, and then step away from the camera. I would take the photographs from my laptop so my clients could move naturally and express themselves without feeling distracted by a camera being held in front of them. Being behind the camera became my safe haven.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been any smooth journey. After three years of college, I became a mother to my son, and he completely changed the way I looked at life. Motherhood gave me a new perspective and a deeper purpose. I began thinking every day about what I could do to give my son a better life than the one I had experienced.

A few years later, God blessed me with a beautiful baby girl. My pregnancy with her was difficult, and the period after her birth became one of the hardest seasons of my life. My mental and emotional health became so overwhelming that there was a point when I could not care for my children and was glued to my bed for more than a week.

My twin sister stayed by my side during that difficult time, making sure that my children and I were okay. Eventually, I reached a point where I could not handle everything anymore, and I finally broke down and opened up to my twin sister.

Soon after, God blessed me with an opportunity to find a free therapy program. I had been searching for help for weeks without success, so finding that program felt like an answered prayer.

Therapy became the beginning of a completely different journey for me—the journey of writing.

I often tell people that writing saved my life because it truly did. I wasn’t only dealing with postpartum depression. I was also struggling with suicidal thoughts and carrying the trauma of being sexually abused when I was younger. For years, I carried pain that I didn’t always know how to express.

Writing gave me a place to release it.

Through writing, I began to process my pain, release emotions I had buried, forgive, and eventually smile again. My healing journey was not easy. There were many tears, anger, difficult memories, and moments when I had to confront parts of myself and my past that I had tried to avoid. But despite everything I experienced, I would not change my journey for the world.

I worked with three different therapists and eventually found the courage to share my thoughts and experiences with the world. That courage led me to publish my first book, *My Tiny Book of Thoughts*—a collection of my thoughts, experiences, emotions, and reflections expressed through my pen.

Writing became my sanctuary.

It became my way of releasing, healing, forgiving, and finding my voice. Most importantly, writing became one of the things that ultimately helped save my life.

Today, I use my photography and writing to connect with people and create spaces where others can feel seen, heard, and comfortable being their authentic selves. My journey has taught me that our pain does not have to define any part of us in a negative way.

I believe that creativity is a form of healing, and sometimes the very things we use to express ourselves can become the tools that help save us.

My story is still being written, and I am grateful for every chapter.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Photography and writing are what I am known for and how I love to express myself while encouraging others to live in their truth.

I don’t just take pictures. I create space for the person in front of my camera to feel comfortable, seen, and free to be themselves. I believe there is something powerful about allowing someone to simply exist in front of the camera without judgment or expectations.

The same is true when someone reads my book. I want my words to remind people that they have a voice and that they, too, can express themselves. I want them to know that they can face the hurt they have experienced, release what no longer serves them, and give themselves permission to heal and be free.

I believe my love for people is what sets me apart. Creativity is the cherry on top. It is what allows me to connect, inspire, and create with purpose.

Being innovative while creating and holding space for others is what makes me feel like I am on the right path in this life.
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Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice to anyone starting something they are passionate about is to become completely dedicated to it. Learn everything you can, believe in yourself, and never stop learning. The world is constantly changing, and there is always something new to discover within your passion.

One thing I wish I understood when I was starting out is that my journey would not look like anyone else’s. I wish I had learned sooner to embrace fear, rejection, lack of support, and even failure. Instead of allowing those experiences to make me feel doubtful, I wish I had seen them as reasons to keep pushing forward no matter what.

Most importantly, don’t forget to make time for yourself, your family, and your friends. Chase your passion, but remember to enjoy your life along the way.

Pricing:

• You can find my book currently on Amazon

Contact Info:

• Instagram: moonchild_br3
• Other: Tiktok – moonchildbr3

Image Credits
Breanna McConico-Williams

Brittany McConico-Williams

Cody Dumaine