Meet Abrea Waddell | Sports Photographer & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Abrea Waddell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Abrea, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
What made me pursue a career in freelance sports photography is because it was a challenge to me. Being a black woman, me personally it isn’t common to see people that look like me in those spaces. I took a chance on myself and poured what I already knew about photography and what I learned from the people around me and made a small name for myself. For me, storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to connect with people, and creativity has always been the way I express myself. Whether it’s through photography, social media, or content creation, I love capturing moments and emotions that tell a story. Sports photography, in particular, gives me the thrill of documenting real, raw and uncut material. I pursued a creative career because I wanted to bring stories to life in ways that words alone can’t. It’s my way of making an impact and leaving a visual legacy.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What I would say sets me apart from others is how personal I get with my athletes and my clients. I don’t want them to feel like I’m just here to do a job and they are my client, but that we are friends for whatever amount of time that I am providing them a service. what makes me the most proud of what I have done with sports photography and my business is the platform that I have created as well as the community. I pride myself on always being willing to learn and take criticism, so with that I am always willing to learn from people in the same field as me, so that I am always sharpening my skills.

My journey to becoming a photographer was truly a learning experience, I started taking pictures when I was sixteen as a hobby. I picked it up again and sought out professional opportunities while I was in college. It wasn’t easy trying to establish a name for myself being at a school where everyone is so creative, because I wasn’t sure how to build connections at first but after speaking to my peers and my professors they put me in contact with the right people to make connections with. I started out with a passion for media, but getting my foot in the door required patience, networking, and constant learning. I had to teach myself photography, social media strategy, and content marketing while juggling school, work, and personal goals.

A few lessons that I have learned being a female sports photographer, and really just a photographer in general is that closed mouths don’t get fed. If you do not push your material or ask for help if you need it, you won’t get the results that you are looking for, opportunities often come from the relationships you build. Being kind, professional, and supportive of others goes a long way. Also consistency is key. No matter how talented you are, showing up and putting in the work every day is what makes the difference. And lastly adaptability is everything. The digital world changes fast, and the ability to learn and pivot is essential.
Your work will speak for itself. As long as you put in the effort and stay true to your vision, the right people will recognize your talent.

One of my biggest achievements first and foremost, is earning my Bachelor’s of Science in Journalism and Mass Communication with a concentration is Mass Media Production from Thee Illustrious North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. It is also seeing how much my photography has improved since I started and how many doors it has opened. It’s given me opportunities to be in professional environments for well known organizations. That has pushed me to grow, to think outside the box, and to understand the impact of digital storytelling in sports. I’m also incredibly proud of Simone’s Shots, my own photography business, because it represents my vision, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. Right now, I’m excited about growing as a creative while balancing my new position as a deputy clerk for the Clerk of Superior Court for Guilford County. It’s a shift from my usual creative work, but it’s allowing me to develop skills in organization, communication, and professionalism. Skills that will ultimately make me a better business owner and storyteller.

One of the biggest challenges was funding my photography business while I was still in college. I had to invest in equipment while still making ends meet. But instead of letting that stop me, I took on freelance gigs, learned how to market myself, and built a portfolio that spoke for itself.

What I want the world to know about who I am and my brand is, I am more than a photographer. I am a storyteller. What sets me apart is my ability to blend storytelling with strategy, creating content that not only looks good but also connects with people on a deeper level. Whether it’s capturing the energy of a football game, maintaining a brand’s online presence, or delivering powerful visuals, I focus on authenticity. My brand, Simone’s Shots Photography, is more than just photography. It’s about capturing emotions, preserving memories, and telling stories in a way that resonates. My journey is proof that with passion, persistence, and a willingness to learn, you can make a space for yourself in any industry.

I want people to see my work and feel inspired not just by the visuals, but by the story behind them. I want young creatives to know that it’s okay to take unconventional paths, to pivot when necessary, and to trust the process.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1:
Breakfast: Breakfast at Scrambled Southern Diner on Spring Garden Street in Greensboro or Jake’s Diner in Downtown Greensboro.
Afternoon: Brunch at Trust Kitchen & Cocktails.
Dinner: Blue Denim, it’s my favorite New Orleans style restaurant.

Day 2:
Breakfast: Dame’s Chicken & Waffles it’s one of my favorite breakfast spots.
Morning: I love my Illustrious Alma Mater so I would take a tour of North Carolina A&T State University (Aggie Pride!).
Afternoon: Friendly Center for smoothies from Juice Shop and some shopping.
Lunch: Mizumi on State Street, they have an all you can eat sushi lunch special.
Dinner: La Costenita has amazing birria tacos as well as good and fast service.

Day 3:
Breakfast: Filter, I really love the aesthetic there. The music is amazing and the pastries are pretty good, and they are Black-owned.
Afternoon: I really enjoy sightseeing so I would take them to downtown High Point around the furniture showrooms. The architecture is beautiful.
Dinner: Village Tavern for drinks and a good time.
Late Night: Hit up Boxcar or Bourbon Bowl.

Day 4:
Brunch: Melt Kitchen and Bar, they have amazing food. I HIGHLY recommend the Cuban Rueben or the buffalo chicken sandwich.
Afternoon: I have friends who really like to go on random adventures, so we would definitely take a day trip to Charlotte, NC and find something to do there. Our best best is just going to Concord Mills and dinner at Tupelo Honey in Downtown Charlotte.

Day 5:
Breakfast: Breakfast at the Grandover Hotel, I go here frequently with my family so taking my friends here will definitely be a given. It’s such a beautiful resort.
Lunch: Go back to Charlotte if there is time, the last time I went to Charlotte I went to Razzou’s Cajun Cafe and my friends and I really enjoyed it so I am pretty sure they would love to go back.
Evening: Catch a concert while we are there or a Charlotte Hornets game.

Day 6:
Breakfast: The Breakfast Spot, another Black-owned restaurant I really enjoy, or Mimi’s Cafe in Friendly Shopping Center.
Lunch: Luxe Soulfood & Cocktails, as an Aggie Alum Luxe was a go to spot on a free day out of class so I for sure would take my friends here on a trip.
Afternoon: I have a really sweet tooth so I am going to Cheesecakes by Alex to get a slice of strawberry cheesecake or key lime pie.
Night: To end the trip, Limelight is my favorite club so spending the last night out here with my friends is the best way to end the activities.

Day 7:
Brunch: Scille and Scoe has a great vibe to end off the trip on a high note.
Afternoon: a drive through the city one last time on the way to the airport.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to shoutout my family, my mentor Taylor White from University of Virginia Athletics, and Thee Illustrious North Carolina A&T State University for believing in me.

Website: https://abreaw63001.wixsite.com/simones-shots-photog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_simonesshots/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrea-waddell-442096246

Image Credits
Alicia Mckiver https://www.instagram.com/uhleesha.jpg/
Abrea Waddell https://www.instagram.com/_simonesshots/