Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Bresett.
Christine, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey in photography and graphic design began with a genuine love for being behind the camera and creating meaningful images. While studying at Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville, NC, I learned from photographer Peter Rulon in several continuing-education photography classes. He later offered me an internship at his studio in Swansboro, where I learned how to plan sessions, build shot lists, run model calls, and prepare for successful photo shoots.
During that same time, I worked full-time in customer service and retail, and I reinvested every paid session back into my equipment and business needs. I also helped organize photography meetups with 20+ photographers and models, which became incredible opportunities to practice, network, and grow.
These early experiences allowed me to photograph a wide range of sessions—from lifestyle and pin-up portraits to surprise engagements and weddings. Several of these shoots were even published in magazines. I built strong, lasting relationships with many of my clients, and those connections remain one of my favorite parts of creative work.
As my photography business grew, clients began asking for custom gifts, t-shirt designs, stickers, and logos. My love for crafting blended naturally with photography, and it pushed me deeper into editing and Adobe Suite. Word of mouth quickly expanded my work from photography into complete branding and graphic design.
Life wasn’t always simple along the way. I balanced raising three children, working, and going to school while coping with the loss of my mom and navigating my own mental health. Even in those difficult moments, I stayed committed to learning, improving, and building something meaningful.
After moving from North Carolina to Michigan, I briefly partnered with a family friend before deciding to open my own studio. Wanting to strengthen my skills further, I earned my bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Full Sail University.
Today, I balance running my creative studio with my full-time role as a Segmentation Specialist at Stryker. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with local businesses like Jonny Bee Goods and to support my local VFW and veteran community through design, photography, and promotional work.
My work has grown far beyond where I first started, but the heart of it remains the same: taking someone’s vision—an idea they’ve been holding in their mind—and bringing it to life through creativity, storytelling, and design.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but every challenge has taught me something important. While growing my business, I was also raising three children, working full-time, and going to school. Balancing all of that at once required a lot of organization, late nights, and determination.
One of the most challenging moments in my journey was losing my mom. Grieving while trying to stay focused on my goals and responsibilities was incredibly difficult. I also had to navigate my own mental health during that time, which made some seasons much heavier than others, or a lack of passion. Even so, I stayed committed to pushing forward.
Another challenge was adapting after moving from North Carolina to Michigan during the COVID pandemic. I had to rebuild my client base, adjust to a new community, and start over in many ways. It took time, patience, and networking to regain momentum.
And, like many creatives, I faced the typical struggles of entrepreneurship—learning how to run a business, manage finances, build a brand, and stay confident in my work. As someone with dyslexia, I also had to develop systems and tools to help me stay organized and professional in all areas of communication.
Despite the obstacles, every challenge has shaped me into a more resilient photographer, designer, and business owner. These experiences pushed me to grow, adapt, and continue improving, and I’m proud of how far the journey has taken me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work blends photography, graphic design, and branding into one creative service. I specialize in helping clients bring their ideas to life—whether through product photography, custom branding, social media content, or personalized design. My goal is always to create visuals that feel meaningful, intentional, and true to the client’s vision.
I’m best known for combining storytelling with design. Because my background started in photography, I approach branding with a creative eye for emotion, connection, and detail. Whether I’m shooting product photos for a small business, building a brand from scratch, or creating graphics for apparel and marketing, I focus on how everything visually ties together.
I’m proud to have worked with a variety of local businesses, including Rocky’s Ride in Allegan, Jonny Bee Goods farm in Otsego, and several small Michigan brands like Kalamazoo brakes and Brrokside cove, helping them develop identities that feel polished and professional. I’m also very proud of my dedication to growing and giving back to our Veterans as a veteran’s wife, as well as my involvement with the veteran community. As a military family, giving back is essential to me. I am a member of POST 3030, supporting my local VFW by creating event graphics and promotional materials and photographing events to raise awareness of their fundraisers and community events.
What truly sets me apart is my ability to listen closely and understand what my clients are envisioning—even when they struggle to describe it. Many people come to me with an idea they can’t quite put into words. I can interpret that idea, develop it, and turn it into a design or photo that captures exactly what they were hoping for.
I also bring a lot of heart to my work. Every project, big or small, matters to me. I pride myself on attention to detail, a strong work ethic, and building genuine relationships with the people I work with. My clients often become friends, and their success becomes something I celebrate right alongside them.
I love creating visuals that make people proud of their business, brand, or memorable moment. Helping others bring their vision to life is the part of my work that inspires me the most.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories from living in Florida was visiting Discovery Cove at SeaWorld in Orlando and seeing my favorite animals—the dolphins. At Dolphin Cove, guests could walk right up to the water to pet the dolphins and feed them fish, but the highlight for me was swimming with them. I remember watching them jump and play, sending out clicks and echoes as they came back for more treats. The entire experience felt magical.
Amid all the excitement, I noticed two SeaWorld employees standing with cameras, capturing these unforgettable moments for families and then handing out tickets so guests could view and purchase the photos. I couldn’t stop watching them. The idea of spending your day surrounded by dolphins, photographing people during one of their happiest moments, felt absolutely perfect to me.
That moment sparked something big in me—a passion and a drive. I wanted to know how I could do a job like that. I researched internships, volunteer programs, and photography roles. For several summers, I applied to SeaWorld’s sea turtle rescue and volunteer programs, hoping it would be my way in. I never got chosen, but the dream stayed with me.
What mattered most to me—even back then—was capturing joy. Seeing people light up during a special moment and being able to preserve that feeling in a photograph felt magical. Even though I didn’t get the SeaWorld internship, I did eventually get to photograph my own interaction with a dolphin—bringing that childhood wish full circle.
That experience helped shape my love for creating meaningful moments through images and through the services I offer today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.clbresettdesignstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clbresett_graphicdesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLBresettDesignStudio
- LinkedIn: https://www.clbresettdesignstudio.com/
