My name is Braeden Hillis Vandygriff, and I am a freelance photographer with a lifelong passion for capturing the world through the lens. I was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on June 8th, 1994, and graduated in the class of 2013. Not long after, I found myself drawn deeper into photography not just as a hobby, but as a way of life. By 2014, I had begun developing my own film, and that hands on process of bringing an image to life in the darkroom completely changed how I understood photography.
For me, photography has always been more than simply pressing the shutter. It is about telling a story, preserving memories, and capturing emotions that words often cannot. Over the years, photography has become my greatest love and source of purpose. It has challenged me, inspired me, and even healed me in ways nothing else has. Every frame I capture feels like a piece of who I am an expression of how I see the world and the beauty that exists within it.
While I work in both digital and film formats, I hold a special love for film photography. Film requires patience, thoughtfulness, and care it asks you to slow down and connect with your subject on a deeper level. The grain, the texture, the imperfections, and the timeless quality of film images remind me that photography is not just about perfection, but about truth. Each roll of film tells a story before it’s even developed, and the anticipation of seeing those images emerge never loses its magic.
My goal as a photographer is to create images that resonate whether it’s through portraiture, landscapes, or everyday life. I strive to capture moments that others might overlook and transform them into something meaningful. Photography, to me, is not just a profession but a way of experiencing life. It has taught me to slow down, to observe, and to find beauty in both fleeting and lasting moments.
As I continue to grow in this journey, I remain dedicated to sharing my perspective with the world through my photographs. Whether through digital clarity or the rich depth of film, my work is a reflection of my love for life, memory, and art. Photography is not just something I do it is the lens through which I live.
Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about me and my work. If my photography resonates with you, I would be glad to connect whether to collaborate, share stories, or simply exchange a love for the art of capturing life.