[who is lavenderthunder?] - [FOCUS] by Breana Pflanz

lives within all of us.

For the ones who are ready to awaken the star potential inside of you.

WELCOME TO THE LAVENDER THUNDER COMMUNITY

For when stepping into your best self is in [FOCUS] and

you are ready make the next steps into start transforming your life – TODAY.

Lavender Thunder Community - Welcome Letter -

Dear Reader,

Thank you so much for being here. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I hope it means as much to you, as it does to me. Thank you for joining me on this story of a lifetime.

The word photography originates from the words ‘foto’ and ‘grafia’, which means to paint with light, but to me, photography is more than just a word, or even a hobby;

It’s a call and an answer; A calm amidst an ever changing storm of life.

My unique photography journey began at only 9 years old, when I had originally wanted to be a photojournalist.

This passion of mine came merely four years after my parents’ divorce, and only three years before I received my ADHD diagnosis.

I quickly fell in love with the way a camera was able to capture a still photo in an ever changing environment.

Lake Michigan 2012

After years, gears, as well as some tears… I have adapted and evolved my craft, while also finding inner solace in the art of photography over the past 15 years.

I first picked up a camera in 2009, while I was only in middle school with a handheld point-and-shoot video camera my mother got me at only 9 years old. That camera was originally designed towards video only, so I ended up only filming video in the first year or two.

Unfortunately, those early videos have been lost forever, but it turned into a blessing in disguise after so many years.

I have lived all over Central Florida for my entire life.

With my vast knowledge of the Central Florida area, you can always count me in for answering any locational based questions may have.

I didn't have a phone growing up. When I told my dad I wanted to take photos, he bought me a camera instead of a smart phone for my 10th birthday. I took these photos that year, and ever since then, I have not stopped finding my focus in the things that bring me the most joy - and one of those things includes UPLIFTING YOU to push past any anxieties you may have or any limiting beliefs.

Since my very first high school orientation freshman year, I had applied to be in the high school yearbook club.

I was denied each time.

For reasons unbeknownst to me at, I had no choice, but to accept that I wasn’t what they were looking for, and henceforth, each year I attempted to work with them - they kept denying my entry.

"My passion did not deter me..."

"...it gave me a new sense of determination."

- Pflanz, on continuing photography after facing rejection.

My passion did not deter me.

In fact, it gave me a new sense of determination.

I knew from a young age that each individual had the ability to inspire or impact the next person, and in a continuous cycle, that person had the ability to impact the next person.

I knew I had to focus and get to work.

In my free time during lunches, or even after school during the weekdays, I continued to practice taking photos. I originally started taking photos of my family, my friends, my neighbors, and the outcasts -- the ones who, like myself, felt like they didn’t quite belong in this world.

Initially, I wanted to join the high school yearbook club.

I did not like being told I could not follow my passion.

It made me feel restricted.

"What was I waiting for?"

I could either continue to apply myself to my passions or simply accept that I wasn’t what they were looking for, give up, and have my passion sit at the back of my mind as they would keep denying my entry.

Despite constant rejection, I thought back to how I had learned from early, from a young age that each individual had the ability to inspire or impact the next person, and that person had the ability to impact the next person.

I knew I had to focus.

So, in my free time during lunch hall, or even after school during the weekdays, I continued to practice taking photos.

Growing up in a world that was more catered towards a growing demand for instant gratification validation,

My main FOCUS was always to collaborate with likeminded individuals.

By my senior year of high school, I had captured over 10,000 nature, sunset and sunrise photos; with over 5,000 ‘practice’ portraits taken, and even attended school events, such as band practices or regional competition with my camera - with permission.

On the other side of things, regards to my high school yearbook club, I was rejected again, and again, and again.

In hindsight, maybe it was for the best.

Looking back, I never had much free time. My weekends had quickly become jam packed with events. I spent the majority of my adolescence in teen leadership for youth groups, church choir, as well as studying in private acting and modeling classes.

Around March 2020, COVID-19 Lockdown began for everyone, and Florida went on mandatory lockdown and we were forced to stay at home.

At this time of hearing the news, I am no stranger to entering a new stage in life.

After all, I was a child of divorce, born and raised all over the Central Florida area, with a decade of experience on belt for in photography, modeling and acting.

However, no motivation that I thought I had could possibly prepare me for what I was up against next.

A bigger storm was brewing within me - My father's cancer diagnosis.

The optimism and momentum I once had, had abruptly come to a halt during the nationwide government shutdown in 2020.

I had lost the coolest job I had as a photographer at the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando.

Even worse, a few short months later, in July, I had also lost my father to cancer.

Time was always going to be moving forward.

Thankfully the memories we shared remained.

How was I supposed to take photos if my whole world was shutting down?

But then I heard my dad’s voice in my head…

“Keep going. Never give up. Never give in.”

Photography is a lot like loss; It reminds us of the love we once shared and the love we hold onto as the memories are following behind.

We are often left going in circles during the grief journey.

I went silent.

I went silent for 6 months.

It took me 6 months to come back to photography and to think of picking up a camera again.

I took only a 6 month hiatus and not before long I was back on my feet ready to start again.

I picked up a volunteer photography position at the Rock Church Orlando for 6 months in 2021.

During that time, I gained more experience, made meaningful connections, and eventually gained enough confidence to take the next step in making it official and joining the PPA.

(PPA:Professional Photographers Association)

Within that same year, 2021, I began showcasing my work via Guru Shots, and getting my work featured in an exhibit in Barcelona, Spain, was a highlight of my career as a photographer.

In 2024, I had the opportunity to work with David Deluise on a scene reenactment in Los Angeles, I worked with local DJ's in my community, and also traveled to 6 different states with All Time Low.

It’s now 2025, it’s been fifteen years since I first picked up a camera and began my focus on making you feel your most confident and comfortable self… and now all the stars have aligned once more!

Now, it’s finally your turn to get in front of the camera and strike your best pose, Superstar! I got you first! So you could come alive in me.

You made it here today, and I’m so proud of you.

Best Regards,

Breana Pflanz

aka LavenderThunder