Born and raised in South Wilkes-Barre, Brittany Boote’s path to becoming an acclaimed wedding photographer is rooted in her love for storytelling. A graduate of the former Myers High School, Brittany originally envisioned a future as a writer, inspired by the iconic ’90s fictional television character Carrie Bradshaw and New York City’s invigorating energy.

While still in high school, Brittany explored acting, signing with a prominent New York City agency and immersing herself in the world of fashion and film. Through her experience in The Big Apple, she discovered she liked being behind the camera more than in front of it, igniting a spark that would eventually lead to “her purpose,” as she says.

In her mid-20s, Brittany found her calling in photography. After her first portrait session transformed a friend’s self-image, she never looked back. By 2017, Brittany bet on herself—she left her work in the service industry and dove headfirst into professional photography, opening her first studio in the 900 building in Forty Fort. She dabbled in everything from kids’ cake smash sessions and family photos to headshots before discovering her love for wedding photography.

Today, Brittany’s artistry extends far beyond NEPA. Her namesake luxury brand, Brittany Boote Photography, takes her across the globe, capturing breathtaking moments, from destination weddings in Punta Cana to editorial shoots in the Sahara Desert. Brittany, who his married to her husband Joe, also runs Sister North, a regional collective of artists dedicated to elevating local wedding photography and events with luxury-inspired experiences.

We met Brittany at Abide Coffeehouse in downtown Wilkes-Barre, where she reflected on her very first camera—a GoPro—making music and skateboarding videos, and answered the question we all want to know: Why NEPA?

How long have you lived in NEPA?

36 years.

What do you love about your town?

I love the people. I think people are a big factor for me. I grew up in a community-oriented lifestyle, a neighborhood girl. There have been so many moments in my life where the people here have played a huge role in me personally, emotionally, and professionally—from going through hard times to starting my business. The people here have been monumental in shaping who I am as a person and where I am professionally. I have them to thank for helping me with all of that. That’s why I love my town.

What’s your favorite NEPA restaurant?  

I have two—well, I have lots. I get around a lot in the restaurant scene. Café Toscana is our go-to. They’re a restaurant where the service and excellence really shine. That’s something I think is really incredible. Our other favorite restaurant is Marty’s Blue Room. The Delmonico steak there—oh, my God—it’ll change your life. So, Toscana and Marty’s are our top picks.

What’s your favorite thing to do in NEPA?

Golf. Party! I used to be a skateboarder, so I’ve gone through all the phases. Back then, skateboarding around the city was my mode of transportation. It’s evolved a bit now—I’ve kind of refined my personality brand a little.

My favorite thing to do in NEPA is connecting with and meeting new people. That’s what’s so interesting about this area. It’s such a diverse community that no matter what you’re into, there’s a group of people with similar interests you can connect with. It’s like these little pockets of people you can just start to chill with. It’s cool.

When it comes to golf, my favorite course is Wyoming Valley Country Club. Muni (Wilkes-Barre Golf Club) is an incredible course that people should check out. They’ve really done a lot to improve it, and it looks great. Fox Hill is beautiful, too. And I haven’t golfed at Huntsville Golf Club yet — (speaking directly into the microphone) an invite is welcome!

I also like to hike. Bear Creek Preserve is a really beautiful spot, and I enjoy finding obscure hikes where I can let my dog off the leash. She needs her freedom and we encourage that! There are a couple of quiet hikes at Frances Slocum that we love. The Larch Tree Trail is one of our favorites—such a beautiful hike.

And I hang out with my nieces as much as I possibly can. If I have a free weekend, we’re having a slumber party—Netflix and baking cookies. They’re my girls, so when I’m not gallivanting or golfing, I’m with them.

What’s next for you?

I’m in a really great place with where my business is. I’m always kind of looking at what’s next—like, what comes after this? And that’s usually more of a financial goal thing.

I’m currently doing some education to branch out into online education as an additional income stream. I know I’m not going to be able to shoot weddings forever, but I also know I have a lot to share that could really help others and provide real value. So, I want to focus on learning how to be an effective educator—where I’m able to help others create the dreams they want for themselves, just like I did for myself.

As I’m kind of taking on fewer weddings as the years go on, I think my next goal is to help other people tap into their strengths in the creative industry and live an abundant life.

Where do you see NEPA heading in the future?

I think it’s on a great path. I’ve been here a long time, so I’ve seen a few different eras where things went quiet. Even just being here today at Abide, you can feel there’s an energy—people are living their purpose here. I think it’s becoming more and more of a place where people realize they can live their dream. To me, that’s powerful. To me, it’s the center of the universe.

If you’re doing something creative, this can be an incredible home base. We have a low cost of living. You could have clients in New York City and Philadelphia, be on the West Coast in six hours, or be in Europe in five or six hours. We’re really in the center of the world here. I hope more people realize that and understand they don’t need to live in a $4,000-a-month apartment to create the life they want. I think Wilkes-Barre is a great example of that.

Why NEPA?

Well, going back to what I said—it’s the center of the world for me. I just feel like we have access to so much here. We have access to incredible people, a low cost of living and beautiful hiking. It’s such a gorgeous place.

The more I’ve traveled, the more I’ve fallen in love with this area because it’s truly beautiful. I was driving across the Carey Ave. Bridge the other day, and I just thought, wow! The sun was setting over the Susquehanna River, and as I came over the bridge, it was mesmerizing. I think sometimes we don’t realize how beautiful it is here, but if we just stop and take it all in for a moment, it really is breathtaking.

I think you only truly learn to appreciate it by adventuring and traveling. There are so many reasons—logical, financial, visual, and the connections with people—that make this place special. Those are all incredible reasons why I love it here, and why I’ll never leave.