If you stay true to your values, you’ll push through any challenge.
Brittany DeMaio
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Brittany DeMaio still remembers the moment she knew she couldn’t keep doing corporate work. She had a job that looked great on paper, but there was no spark, no joy. So while juggling a full-time role, she quietly built up a photography business on the side. Five years later, she left the desk job behind and opened the doors to New Moon Photography, a studio built from scratch with the goal of making families feel seen, supported, and beautifully documented.
But Brittany didn’t just want to be a photographer, she wanted to build something bigger than herself. Over the past decade, New Moon has grown into a team of passionate creatives who share a deep respect for both the craft and the people they photograph. Her studio is now known for its thoughtful client experience, warm professionalism, and the kind of portraits that end up framed in hallways for generations.
In this conversation, Brittany opens up about what it really took to build a sustainable photography business, one that’s driven by both purpose and people. Brittany brings a rare mix of creative clarity and business savvy to everything she does.
Here’s some of what we get into:
- How a high school darkroom class lit the spark that never went out
- The biggest lessons (and hardest mistakes) from building a team-based studio
- Why intentional branding is more than just a name – and how “New Moon” came to be
- Her approach to consistent imagery across photographers without losing their personal flair
- The power of community, legacy, and letting kids just be kids during a session
If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your creative passion into something sustainable and soulful, this episode will leave you feeling inspired, and maybe even ready to take that next step yourself.
Q: What sets a good family photography business apart from a great one?
Brittany: It’s really the connection that you have with the families, but it’s also the connection you have with your team. Whether you’re working solo or building a business, being approachable and forming those relationships is crucial. But to build something bigger than yourself, which is what I always wanted, it’s about your team and the community around you. That’s been the key to my success-my incredible team has basically become my family.
Q: What’s your favorite part of the job now that it’s evolved into this team-based endeavor?
Brittany: My role has really evolved, and that’s thanks to my team. I used to be in the weeds every day, doing photography, which I love-but it takes a lot of energy. Now, I get to focus on business development, growing our school program, marketing, and envisioning where the business is headed. I realized I needed to step back from doing everything to really lead and grow the business in the way I imagined.
Q: Family photography can be tricky – getting everyone comfortable and on the same page isn’t always easy. What are your go-to tactics for helping clients feel at ease during sessions?
Brittany: One of the things we focus on, whether we’re meeting families outdoors or in the studio, is making sure there’s a connection. If a child is shy or doesn’t want to be there, we try to connect with them on their level – or sometimes just engage with the parents first. Once the child sees their parents are relaxed and having fun, they open up too. We also prepare thoroughly so the parents don’t feel overwhelmed. When they see their kid playing and laughing before we’ve even taken a photo, they immediately relax.
🔗 Connect with Brittany DeMaio
🧭 What We Talked About
🎼 Early Journey / Origins
- Brittany’s creative roots began with painting and film photography, inspired by her artist mother.
- Her passion took shape in high school darkroom classes, eventually leading to a BFA in Photography.
- Post-college, she balanced a corporate project management job while building a freelance business for five years before launching New Moon Photography.
- New Moon is now celebrating 10 years in business, with a strong creative team and a growing community focus.
📖 Philosophy / Vision / Storytelling
- Brittany’s vision is rooted in intentionality and connection – with both clients and her team.
- The name New Moon symbolizes life’s cycles, echoing the phases of family life that her studio captures over time.
- She sees herself and her team as visual historians, capturing emotional and generational milestones in family legacies.
- Her mission is to build a legacy through portraits, helping families remember not just moments, but feelings.
📷 Tools, Gear, and Behind the Scenes
- Started in film, transitioned to digital DSLR in college, which allowed her to build experience and experiment affordably.
- Introduced studio lighting for consistency – guided by team member Nina and influenced by photographers like Sandra Coan.
- Uses soft studio lighting to maintain a natural look even indoors or in challenging light.
- Encourages getting things right in-camera to minimize post-processing.
🔁 Practice, Teaching, Platforms
- Built New Moon with the intention of scaling beyond herself, prioritizing ease and enjoyment for clients.
- Brittany leads business development, while her team handles photography, marketing, sales, and school programs.
- Offers seasonal and evergreen sessions, making it simple for families to choose packages by life stage.
- Provides photography classes in schools and is open to incorporating film photography into education.
- Maintains a collaborative, critique-driven environment with regular feedback loops and SOPs for consistency.
💬 Advice, Creative Strategy, or Challenges
- Recommends embracing mistakes as lessons, especially in small business where risks are amplified.
- Advocates for abundance mindset, staying grounded in personal values, and being vulnerable as a leader.
- Suggests that passion should drive the business, not just photography skills.
- Created systems and boundaries to avoid burnout, including team support, structured breaks, and prioritized task lists.
- Encourages photographers to take risks, remain uncomfortable, and push through fear – the discomfort is where growth happens.
🔮 What’s Next for Brittany
- New Moon Photography is moving to a brand-new studio – their first new space after 10 years, custom designed by Brittany and Nina.
- Plans to expand product offerings so families can enjoy finished prints with less hassle.
- Growing the school photography division while continuing to refine the client experience.
- Long-term vision includes mentorship, continued innovation, and nurturing a team that shares her values.
- Brittany’s goal is to create a legacy through portraiture, ensuring that even if her name is forgotten, the emotions she captured live on.
