Shot At Love

Tune into Chapter 9 Love's Lunacy: A Journey of Crazy and Stupid Devotion from my book Shot At Love, A Celebrity Photographer's Unfiltered Lens on Dating and Finding Love. What if the moment that saves you starts with a mantra and a punchline? We open on a small-town shoot with Steve Carell and land in the center of a bruising love story—one built on mixed signals, breadcrumbing, and the slow erosion of self. Along the way, a pinwheel, a dance number, and a stubborn fight to keep a scene in a film become unlikely teachers about boundaries, authorship, and choosing what matters when the pressure is on.

From there, the curtain lifts on commitment-phobia and the anxious–avoidant dance: the push–pull of intimacy that keeps one partner chasing and the other fleeing. We dig into Mr. Unavailable’s patterns, attachment science, and why intermittent reinforcement is so addictive. The stakes spike when family drama explodes into gaslighting and an uninvited wedding, forcing a reckoning with reality, proof, and the heavy cost of keeping the peace. In the wreckage, a manifesto takes shape—part evidence, part prayer—marking the pivot from explaining to exiting.

What follows is a clear, compassionate path out: consequences over speeches, boundaries that hold, and the No Contact Rule as a lifeline back to self-trust. We talk practical recovery—retraining your nervous system, rebuilding routines, and finding meaning in art, music, and community. If you’ve ever felt “crazy” for wanting love to feel safe, this story offers language, tools, and a way through. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to tell us the one boundary you won’t bend again.

We trace a wild arc from a Steve Carell photoshoot and an Aquarius mantra to the hard end of a toxic relationship, unpacking commitment-phobia, gaslighting, and the cost of staying. Boundaries, no-contact, and self-respect turn chaos into clarity. Join the mailing list and find out more about Shot At Love Live events at www.shotatlovebook.com. Follow, rate, and subscribe. Please follow me on social media – Instagram, @Kerry_Brett, and on Facebook under Kerry Brett.

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Tune into Homeless on a Harley, Chapter 8, one of my favorite chapters from Shot At Love, A Celebrity Photographer's Unfiltered Lens on Dating and Finding Love. Dating shouldn’t feel like a jailbreak, but sometimes the heart clings to a locked door. We open with a grounding mantra to the divine feminine and roll straight into Randy “Moose” Gomez’s field notes—thirty years as a PI and bail bondsman distilled into one essential truth: listen like a detective and love like a leader. From pandemic-era scams to everyday mixed signals, we unpack how small details reveal big realities, and why your questions are not drama—they’re data.

The story winds through a raw Thanksgiving heartbreak, a copper-topped bar in South Boston, and a high school spark named Coyote Cameron who skates in hot and exits even hotter. It’s romantic, funny, and a little brutal: the secret workplace, the “lost phone,” the slow fade that says more than words. Along the way, we map practical checkpoints for modern dating—consistency over charm, transparency over mystery, alignment over adrenaline. You’ll hear how nostalgia can blur judgment, how self-talk can free or trap you, and how to spot the moment when grace becomes self-abandonment.

We don’t shame the chemistry; we translate it. When behavior and words don’t match, confusion wins. When someone guards context, believe them. And when your standards rise, your peace follows. If you’ve stayed too long, waited on a text that never came, or ignored a red flag because the weekend felt perfect, this conversation will hand you a steadier compass—rooted in self-respect, active listening, and a PI’s calm eye for patterns.

Press play, take what helps, and set your own checkpoints. If this episode gave you clarity or courage, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs the nudge, and leave a quick review so more people can raise their standards with us.

We explore how a cowboy PI’s listening skills and a hard left turn in South Boston taught us to trust patterns over promises and choose self-respect over heat. The heart goes fast, but the truth arrives on time when you ask better questions and believe what you hear. When people tell you who they are believe them. Please subscribe, rate, and review. Keep up to date with Shot At Love Live events and join the mailing list at www.shotatlovebook.com

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Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost, Chapter 7 of Shot At Love, A Celebrity Photographer's Unfiltered Lens on Dating and Finding Love. A breakup can make even bright rooms feel dim, and mine turned everything gray—right down to the paint on my walls. I gave 50 shades of gray new meaning. I tried to muscle through with grit and lonely heart playlists, but it took an unexpected intervention from Red Sox legend Tim Wakefield to cut through the noise. Tim’s straight talk about self-respect, resilience, and moving on landed like a perfectly thrown knuckleball: unpredictable, undeniable, and exactly what I needed to hear. The over-under was that this was a very loud wake-up call from Wake, and I had to find self-love at bat.

From there, the path bent toward a different kind of ballgame—one of mantras, lineage, and sacred sound. I share how a puja led by a guru's wife reopened the door to Sanskrit practice, and how a medium delivered a message I couldn’t ignore: aham prema doesn’t just invite romantic love; it insists on self-love first. That reminder connected me back to my teacher, Namadeva, and to a daily practice of the —Gayatri before the mic, breath before reaction, compassion before compromise—that steadied the ground beneath my feet.

Daily practice of chanting and the discipline of rebuilding standards after heartbreak. Along the way, we honor two legacies that shaped this story—Tim Wakefield’s generosity and caring, and Namadeva’s mastery of mantras—whose dates now echo in my calendar like a quiet blessing. If you’ve ever felt stuck between surrender and survival, this chapter offers tools and testimony: boundaries that hold, mantras that heal, and a practical path to liking yourself enough to choose better. Listen, reflect, and if it resonates, share it with someone who could use a sign. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell me: what’s the one line you needed to hear today? If you want to find out more about the Shot At Love movement and community, join the mailing list to learn about upcoming Shot At Love Live events at www.shotatlovebook.com

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When Oscar-winner Chris Cooper and his wife Marianne Leone called asking me to photograph him for Cowboys and Indians Magazine, I never imagined this assignment would become my emotional salvation. With a broken foot and an even more broken heart, I dragged myself to Plymouth Plantation, determined to deliver exceptional work despite my personal life crumbling around me.

The contrast couldn't have been starker – professionally capturing one of Hollywood's most respected actors while privately enduring the discovery of my boyfriend's infidelity. As I lay on the ground, boot-clad broken foot raised awkwardly in the air, shooting Chris in various Western-inspired poses, I was simultaneously living two realities. One where I was a sought-after photographer whose work would grace newsstands nationwide, and another where I questioned my fundamental worth after betrayal.

It was Chris himself who offered unexpected wisdom that day. When I confessed my relationship troubles, lamenting that perhaps I was "too much" – too creative, too successful – for my boyfriend, Chris responded with words that would become my mantra: "Did you ever think the things that make you too much are the things that make you great? Smart men like smart women." This simple truth from a man whose 40-year marriage to brilliant writer Marianne Leone Cooper showed he practiced what he preached became my north star during the darkest period of my life.

The universe has a poetic way of delivering messages when we need them most. Standing in an Arizona airport, sobbing after learning my boyfriend at the time had emptied our home while I was away, I looked up to see my Cowboys and Indians cover prominently displayed. It was as if the universe whispered: your work matters, you matter, regardless of who fails to see it. A decade later, Chris, Marianne, and I would collaborate again, winning a 2023 Communicator Award for a podcast episode aptly titled "Staying Together" – proof that sometimes we must endure disappointments to find our way to the collaborations and connections that truly honor our worth.

Ready to transform your perspective on love and relationships? Grab a copy of my new book "Shot at Love" on Amazon today and join our community at shotatlovebook.com for exclusive updates on live events and more insights into finding love that celebrates rather than diminishes you. 

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What happens when you swipe right on a contractor who builds homes and hearts with the same dedication? Built to Last: When Love Meets Construction, that's what! Meet Rory Remington, a 47-year-old professional builder from Scituate, Massachusetts—a man as solid as the foundations he lays.

During the harshest winter Massachusetts had seen in a century, with record-breaking snowfall burying my world both literally and figuratively, Rory appeared like a beacon of warmth. After plowing Scituate's streets all day, he'd show up at my driveway, engine running, ready to shovel my roof without ever asking to come inside—because he wanted to meet my daughter "when we were official." Here was a man who had given his dream home to his ex-wife so his children wouldn't suffer, while he lived in homes he was rebuilding. A man who, when my card was declined buying painting supplies, arrived early the next morning with everything I needed and painted my entire first floor in a day.

Rory checked every box on my "top ten list" of qualities I wanted in a partner. He remembered I disliked roses on my birthday because it fell near Valentine's Day, sending unique flowers with a card saying, "You're all seven on my list." Yet I made the devastating mistake of leaving him when my ex returned, begging for reconciliation—only to discover more lies and deception waiting for me.

The painful irony? When pipes burst in my studio and I had nowhere to turn, Rory still showed up, created detailed documentation overnight, secured me exactly the insurance money I needed, and disappeared without even saying goodbye. He didn't need to help, but that's who he was—a man of honor who never let people down.

Through heartbreak and regret, I learned that relationships, like houses, require solid foundations. Sometimes the best partners aren't the flashiest or most familiar—they're the ones who show up consistently, tools in hand, ready to build something lasting. Don't wait to recognize quality when you see it; great men don't stay available for long.

Ready to transform your perspective on love? Grab my new book "Shot at Love" on Amazon and join the community at ShopLoveBook.com for exclusive updates on upcoming events.

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What happens when your world crumbles beneath you? When a broken foot, a broken relationship, and a broken bank account converge at the worst possible moment? This raw, unflinching episode explores the pivotal moment when crisis became a catalyst for profound transformation.

After discovering troubling messages on Kerry's boyfriend, Giovanny's phone, a confrontation led to a painful accident—breaking her foot in three places. Rather than support, Giovanny cruelly accused her of deliberately injuring herself to manipulate him, revealing the narcissistic dynamic that had been present all along. Left immobilized during her busiest photography season, with no health insurance and dwindling finances, she reached a devastating crossroads.

Drawing strength from unexpected sources—Tina Turner's resilient spirit and financial advisor John Spooner's contrarian wisdom—she discovered that the principles governing smart investing apply equally to recovery from toxic relationships. "In crucial decisions, use your brain first, heart second," became her mantra as she dragged herself on crutches to convert saved coins to cash when her debit card declined for a simple pizza order.

This episode beautifully illustrates how rock bottom became the foundation for rebuilding. By approaching her personal crisis with the same strategic thinking Spooner applied to market crashes, she transformed her circumstances—booking $4,000 in photography sessions despite her injury, finding her voice, and eventually creating the award-winning "Shot At Love" podcast to help others escape unhealthy relationships.

The most valuable lesson? No matter how broke you are financially or emotionally, you can always bank on yourself. This powerful story reminds us that sometimes the best investment we can make is in our own healing and growth. Have you experienced a moment when hitting bottom became the catalyst for your greatest comeback? Join our community and share your story of resilience and renewal. Find out more at www.shotatlovebook.com

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A camera captures moments, but sometimes it captures more than you bargained for. When Giovanny Gonzalez strutted into my photography studio in his wing-tip boots and form-fitting t-shirt, I had no idea this headshot session would launch an eight-year romance that mirrored the tumultuous relationship between Johnny Cash and June Carter.

The chemistry was immediate and electric. After breaking my own professional rules by agreeing to review his photographs at his place, I found myself mesmerized as Giovanny picked up his guitar and serenaded me with Damien Rice's "The Blower's Daughter, from the movie Closer, where Julia Roberts played a photographer and Jude Law was her subject turned love interest." From that moment, we became inseparable – a creative force feeding off each other's talents and energy. We took Boston by storm, becoming fixtures at upscale restaurants like Stella and The Beehive, training together, and critiquing cuisine like unpaid food critics with insatiable appetites for culture and creativity.

When Giovanny confessed he'd given up on his musical dreams, I transformed into his biggest supporter. I became the ringmaster behind the Giovanny Gonzalez Band's branding, handled publicity, arranged photography shoots, and documented every performance. We achieved incredible things together – he sang the national anthem at Fenway Park, performed with the Dropkick Murphys, and accompanied me as I photographed Hollywood's biggest names. But like Jennifer Aniston's character in "Rockstar," I watched as the music industry's temptations began pulling him away. Despite many wonderful years together, I learned firsthand why Johnny Cash's "Walk the Line" resonates with so many – not everyone can maintain that balance when fame, groupies, and late nights beckon. Sometimes love isn't enough, and sometimes the final notes must fade.

Have you ever loved someone who couldn't walk the line? Share your story of loving a creative spirit and the bittersweet melody it left behind. Purchase Shot At Love on Amazon and find out more about Shot At Love Live events at www.shotatlovebook.com

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What does it truly mean to find your worth in the midst of life's most challenging moments? Two divorced women with young children—one a Harvard graduate with a penchant for designer clothes, the other a photographer with a dry wit—forge an unlikely friendship that becomes their lifeline while navigating the treacherous waters of rebuilding and dating.

Kelley Doyle bursts into Kerry Brett's life like a fashion-forward hurricane, armed with persistent optimism and dating wisdom that initially makes Kerry's "blood boil." With phrases like "enjoy the dance" and "be easy breezy," Kelley teaches her friend that confidence and self-worth matter more than perfect photographs or clever bios when looking for love. Through Sunday ritual dinners at their favorite Mexican restaurant and late-night adventures in Boston's dating scene, they create their own version of family while supporting each other's journey to find love again.

The story reveals Kelley's courageous escape from a deteriorating marriage—arriving at her parents' doorstep with three children, a dog, and only forty-two dollars in her checking account. Her father's advice to "make a decision not to make a decision" gives her space to breathe before crafting a new life. Meanwhile, Kerry struggles with her own divorce, feeling like "the aftermath of a failed art project." Together, they discover that fashion can be armor, friendship can be salvation, and sometimes the most powerful act is remembering your own value. From Kelley's battery-operated blinking earrings to bracelets engraved with "If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it," they find ways to become their own heroines. When Kelley finally reconnects with Walter Whalen at a local bar, her methodical approach to dating pays off in a beautiful wedding and blended family, proving that sometimes, after the storm, you really can see clearly.

Ready to transform your approach to finding love? Grab your copy of "Shot At Love" on Amazon today and join our community at shotatlovebook.com for exclusive updates and information about upcoming live events.

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The path from devastation to rebirth rarely follows a straight line. When my world exploded seventeen years ago, I found myself in the basement of Rock Bottom – fighting a three-year custody battle for my daughter Morgan after a traumatic pregnancy and birth that nearly claimed both our lives. What followed was a financial nightmare of $130,000 in debt, sleeping with the lights on, and making the classic mistake of jumping from one toxic relationship straight into another.

With raw vulnerability and unexpected humor, I share how I transformed from a woman with zero self-worth into someone who refused to settle for anything less than authentic love. My journey led me to spiritual practices that became my lifeline – chanting Sanskrit mantras 108 times with a desperation that "gave new meaning to squeezing the beads." When my astrologer taught me "aham prema" (divine love), I finally began finding my way back to myself.

As a professional photographer with impaired eyesight, the irony isn't lost on me that my biggest challenge wasn't my vision – it was my inability to see red flags in relationships. I've learned to trust my gut, refuse to stress over inconsistent people, and embrace the Ted Lasso philosophy of believing even when the odds seem impossible. The most powerful revelation? How you perceive yourself directly influences how others treat you.

Whether you're struggling through divorce, dating disasters, or simply searching for connection, remember that beauty is an inside job. You don't have to be perfect to be amazing. When someone tells you that you can't do something, do it twice and take pictures! Join me in putting yourself out there with courage and watch how the universe responds. Your shot at love begins with believing you deserve it.

Ready to transform your own love story? Visit shotatlovebook.com and take the first step toward writing your happy ending.

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Have you ever wondered what happens when your greatest pain becomes your deepest purpose? As a professional photographer who's spent decades making others look their best, I've lived a life that many find fascinating—capturing celebrities for magazine covers, attending red carpet events, and building a dream studio in a picturesque town. But behind my lens and successes lay a story of heartbreak so profound that I never imagined sharing it publicly.

My journey from heartbreak to healing wasn't straightforward. There were nights spent crying at my computer, trying to find the courage to document experiences I'd hidden for nearly twenty years. Writing this memoir pushed me to my limits, forcing me to confront memories that felt impossible to face. Yet something powerful emerged from this process—a mission larger than myself. What began as personal catharsis evolved into Shot At Love, a podcast and now book dedicated to helping others navigate their own paths to love.

The transformation from being a "damsel in distress" to becoming "someone who doesn't need saving" changed everything. I learned that "desperation paves a path to the devil," while self-compassion and small daily steps forward can completely transform your life. Through my darkest moments, I discovered that asking for help is often the hardest part of healing, not the overcoming itself. Now I'm passionate about sharing this message: you're not prey, you need to get "preyed up" so you don't get played. The world remains full of opportunities and love, waiting for you to shift your perspective and embrace them. My book "Shot At Love" is available now on Amazon—don't miss your chance to see love and yourself differently. Join our community at shotatlovebook.com for exclusive updates and information about upcoming live events.

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