Real Women of Rochester: Breanna Banford
Breanna Banford | Age: 30 | Community & Marketing Director / Podcast Co-host
Q: Tell us about your journey through womanhood.
A: It’s been an endlessly eye-opening experience, especially the last decade. One that’s an inquisitive quest to understand my whole self — a journey I couldn’t have prepared for or understood until I was in the midst of it. The most important lesson: always continue to grow and learn. I think I’ll always be challenging my understanding of self.
Q: What would you say to another woman who may be going through something you've been through?
A: You are enough. It’s the one lesson that’s been the hardest for me to learn. I’m still learning it!
Q: What surprised you most about your photography experience?
A: How comfortable it was! It can feel awkward to pose for the camera, but Natalie made the experience so comfortable, fun, and casual right off the bat. She posed us perfectly and the session flew by.
Q: How do you feel when you look at your favorite photo of yourself from your shoot?
A: Is that me? It’s amazing to see yourself the way other people see you. It’s an opportunity for self-reflection in the best way.
Q: What would you share with a woman who doesn't think she is beautiful enough to be photographed?
A: You are beautiful! There’s no other you in the world and it’s the most empowering thing to embrace that about yourself.
Q: What message would you like to share with other women?
A: We are unstoppable! I’m so impressed by all the things women are capable of and want each of us to all have the confidence to challenge ourselves to take on whatever we dream up.
Q: What are your thoughts on beauty?
A: I wish people saw themselves the way their close friends or family see them. The realest of real and most beautiful, confident versions of themselves. It’s easy to get stuck in a comparison spiral, but the world needs our individuality. Beauty is embracing you as you are.
Q: What are your hopes for the next generation of women? What advice would you give to them?
A: Love yourself first — explore your passions, your desires, your needs, your wants. Learn what you love, what you dislike, stand behind your values, and be aware of and present in your everyday experiences.
Q: What would you say to your sixteen year old self?
A: Embrace your youthful innocence. Work less, you’ll do that in your 20s. As a teenager, I wish I spent less time worrying or being self-conscious. I wanted to do more, but held myself back, thinking I couldn’t do it or didn’t have the skills or money to pursue things. Since then, I’ve learned that I can do whatever I set my mind to. You figure it out along the way. That’s the beauty of it!
Q: What empowering message would you like to share with young women today?
A: I think we all need to love ourselves a little bit more. Understand and soak up the things we want as individuals and go after them despite fears that hold us back.
Q: What's the biggest hurdle you've overcome career-wise as a woman?
A: Understanding that your career is not your identity. You are not defined by what you do, but rather who you are, what you value, and how you are in the world. Be open to all possibilities.
Q: What's the most empowering experience you've had as a woman?
A: Standing up for myself. Staying true to who I am and what I know best.
Q: When do you feel the most beautiful?
A: When I feel comfortable in my own skin — healthy, strong, and hydrated. Plus, an outfit that’s tailored perfectly and a great loose wave in my hair.
Q: What do you love about being a woman?
A: Being able to show people our strength, magic, understanding, and compassion. I want everyone to know we’re capable of anything we set our minds to.
Breanna is the Community Director for @yelproc and Co-host on Queen Speaking (@queen_speaking) podcast with Sydney Bell.