#IAmAlchemy: Brittney Colantonio, Owner of Detroit Bird
We first met Brittney in the spring of 2016. We were drawn to her passion for shooting subjects she felt strongly about, and immediately respected her thought provoking imagery. Over the last couple of years, we’ve become friends, and her brave storytelling is awe-inspiring. Her extreme candidness makes her even more beautiful. Follow her journey on Instagram @detroitbird and on the web @detroitbird.com.
NAME AND VOCATION: Brittney Colantonio - Owner of Detroit Bird & Director for Pangea196.
SHARE YOUR STORY: I am 29 years old and I am a global photographer and nomad. After 10 years of working as Business Analyst at a fortune 500 company in America and living like Gatsby, I decided it was time to drop everything I was doing and see what the rest of the world had to offer. I couldn't get over the fact that I was occupying such a small space in the world for such a long time and I knew there was so much more out there for me to see. It was tough! Tough selling my beautiful high rise condo overlooking the river, re-homing my beloved pets and saying goodbye to my family, but I did it. I traveled with Remote Year (A company that selects roughly 75 digital freelancers and entrepreneurs to travel the world and work remotely for a year) and after that I started traveling solo. I have been to more countries I can count in the last two years. I most recently lived in Australia and really enjoyed my time there until I was accepted for my dream job as a host for a travel company that would allow me to keep seeing more of the world while looking after a group of digital nomads and thats where I am for the next year. I am currently living in Buenos Aires, Argentina but my home changes monthly.
ONE WORD THAT DESCRIBES YOUR STYLE: Androgynous
YOUR GOTO OUTFIT: All black everything.
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED: At the end of the day it will never be about things, it will always be about memories and moments.
THREE THINGS YOU ARE MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT: Travel, Family, Photography
NAME ONE THING YOU WOULD TELL YOUR 18 YEAR OLD SELF: BE HUMBLE. Challenge yourself and know that nothing is impossible as it may seem.
IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE A SONG THAT DESCRIBES YOU, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I am - Satsang
NAME ONE THING YOU WON’T LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT: Mascara!
FLATS OR HEELS: Heels!!
GUILTY PLEASURE: Red bull. Sugar free please :)
GREATEST LIFE EXPERIECE TO DATE: Getting to travel the world and meeting strangers that quickly turn into friends every day! Also working my way to the top at a huge corporate company after 10 years and no college degree.
PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT TO DATE: Being an aunt to 3 AMAZING little boys. Nothing else comes remotely close!
IF YOU COULD HAVE DINNER WITH ANYONE ALIVE OR DEAD, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY? I would have dinner with my dad one last time. I miss his laugh and I wish to know if he is proud of me. I think he is :)
SHARE WITH US WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT ALCHEMY: I absolutely love Shelley and Alchemy. I love everything the brand exudes. I love the idea of bringing high fashion to Detroit and I know that its only a matter of time before Alchemy blows up and becomes a world known brand. I also feel like a million bucks when I put on a suit jacket because of not only what the brand represents but the quality of the product itself is just amazing.