TolHouse is proud to present the Take the Leap: TolHouse 2025 Entrepreneurship Grant, a program supporting Toledo’s next wave of visionary founders. Recipients gain a full-year TolHouse Membership, workspace at Panda Workspace, business mentorship, and opportunities to showcase their businesses—all designed to help entrepreneurs build their legacy in our city.
Meet Bradley Piri, founder of B. Piri Photography and one of this year’s grant recipients. Bradley’s passion for storytelling through photography, combined with his dedication to Toledo’s creative community, makes him a perfect fit for the program. In this interview, he shares his journey, vision, and how TolHouse is helping him elevate his craft and his business.
TolHouse: Share the story behind B. Piri Photography. What inspired you to start your business, and how has it evolved since 2016?
Bradley: Oddly enough, when I first started B. Piri Photography, I only planned for it to be a hobby. I thought I’d stick to headshots for friends and people in the community. But everything changed after I photographed my first wedding—I fell in love with the challenge and complexity of capturing those moments. From there, I started exploring more event and commercial photography while still carving out time to work on conceptual projects. That balance keeps things fresh and exciting for me.
TolHouse: What sets B. Piri Photography apart from other photography services, and how do you bring your unique vision to life for your clients?
Bradley: What really sets B. Piri Photography apart is that we’re completely customer-focused. It’s more than just providing a service—we prioritize communication and flexibility to ensure every client feels seen and heard. My goal is to create an experience that’s meaningful and personal, resulting in what I like to call tangible magic—memories you can hold onto forever.
“My goal is to create an experience that’s meaningful and personal, resulting in what I like to call tangible magic—memories you can hold onto forever.”
TolHouse: Describe your approach as a “boutique service” that prioritizes client connection. What does that look like in practice, and why do you think it resonates with your customers?
Bradley: My approach as a boutique service is all about putting the client at the center of everything. It starts with really getting to know them—whether that’s understanding their vision for a wedding, their family dynamics for a portrait session, or the story they want to tell through their brand. In practice, it means taking the time to communicate, being flexible with their needs, and creating an environment where they feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. I think this resonates because people want to feel seen and valued, and when they look at the final photos, they see themselves reflected in the best way possible. It’s not just about great images; it’s about the experience of creating them together.
TolHouse: What are your long-term goals for B. Piri Photography, and how do you see your business contributing to Toledo’s growth and creative culture?
Bradley: My long-term goal for B. Piri Photography is to continue growing as a trusted name in portrait, event, and commercial photography while expanding into more conceptual and community-driven projects. I want to create opportunities for people in Toledo to feel empowered and celebrated through photography, whether that’s capturing milestone moments or telling unique stories. I also see my business as a way to contribute to Toledo’s creative culture by collaborating with other local artists, businesses, and organizations to elevate the city’s creative scene. Photography has a way of connecting people, and I want B. Piri Photography to be a part of fostering that connection in Toledo.
“Photography has a way of connecting people, and I want B. Piri Photography to be a part of fostering that connection in Toledo.”
TolHouse: Looking back, what’s been your most significant milestone or achievement in your business so far? How did that experience shape you as an entrepreneur?
Bradley: One of the biggest milestones for my business so far was being hired by SiriusXM to photograph Lizzo at St. Andrew’s Hall in Detroit for an American Express exclusive concert. It was a huge opportunity, and honestly, it was a game-changer for me as an entrepreneur. This was one of the first times I worked with a national publication that had incredibly high and fast-paced demands. I had to navigate tight deadlines, adapt quickly to changing conditions, and deliver top-quality work on the spot. It was definitely a learning curve, but it pushed me to level up my skills and gave me the confidence to take on larger-scale projects. That experience really taught me how to handle pressure and maintain professionalism, which has shaped how I approach every project since.
TolHouse: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your journey as a business owner? How have those challenges helped you grow personally and professionally?
Bradley: One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a business owner has been dealing with imposter syndrome. With so many talented photographers and studios out there—not just in Toledo, but nationally—it’s easy to fall into the trap of questioning whether your work measures up. Sometimes, it’s hard to fully own what others see and say about your talent. But honestly, facing that doubt has helped me grow in so many ways. It’s pushed me to focus on my unique voice as a photographer, to trust the process, and to celebrate my wins, no matter how big or small. Over time, I’ve learned that what sets me apart is the experience and connection I bring to my work, and that’s something no one else can replicate.
TolHouse: You’ve mentioned balancing your roles as an educator and an entrepreneur. How has this dual experience informed the way you approach your business?
Bradley: Balancing my roles as an educator and an entrepreneur has taught me so much about patience, adaptability, and building genuine connections with people. In the classroom, you learn how to meet students where they are, communicate clearly, and create an environment where they feel supported—that mindset directly translates to how I approach my clients. I take the time to listen to their needs, guide them through the process, and make sure they feel comfortable and confident. Both roles require a mix of structure and creativity, and I think that balance has helped me run my business in a way that feels personal and intentional.
TolHouse: What role does community play in your work, and how has living and working in Toledo influenced your entrepreneurial path?
Bradley: Community is at the heart of everything I do. My work is about capturing people’s stories, and those stories are deeply rooted in the communities they’re a part of. Living and working in Toledo has had a huge impact on my entrepreneurial path because it’s a city that values connection and collaboration. Starting out here, I quickly realized how supportive and tight-knit the creative and business communities are. That sense of support gave me the confidence to push forward, even when things felt overwhelming. Toledo has shaped me as both a person and an entrepreneur, and it’s inspired me to give back by creating experiences and images that reflect the beauty and resilience of the people and places around me.
TolHouse: What excites you most about being part of the TolHouse community?
Bradley: What excites me most about being part of the TolHouse community is the opportunity to connect with other ambitious, like-minded individuals who are all working toward something bigger. TolHouse isn’t just a space—it’s a network of people who genuinely want to see each other succeed. The energy of being surrounded by creatives, entrepreneurs, and leaders is so inspiring, and I’m excited to not only learn from others but also contribute to the community in my own way. Having access to a space where collaboration and growth are at the forefront is exactly what I need to take my business to the next level.
