If I rise

It’s been an insane rush into 2011. From my last blog post four months ago my life has changed dramatically.

Gone our the days where I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. Gone are the fears that I won’t live up to anything. Today, the now is fueled with a passion that I never knew I had in me. I know what I want to do, I know who I want to be and the most amazing, brilliant, blindingly joyous thing about it all is that I am doing it.

There is no more time for pretending. I feel far too old to be playing around with my life and the choices I make. I feel so lucky. I have had so much help and support along the way that I cannot express how in awe I am of ever single one of you. My friends, my family, my colleagues. I love and cherish you all. You keep me balanced, you keep me focused. You are my life support.

Where do I go from here? I keep pushing on. Do my own thing.

Never ever stop going after what you want. Don’t ever lose that spark, chase it no matter what. Even if it hurts, even if you want to scream out, even if you are raw with pain, worry or fear never let go.

Everything will be okay, I promise. You just have to want it.

[fə-tŏg'rə-fē]

As a photographer, most of us are obsessed with the next shoot.  Even if I have three sets waiting on my computer to be edited, I’m always wanting to go out and shoot some more.  The workload doesn’t phase me (even though it should) and it’s very easy to get behind when you are constantly on the hunt.

But that doesn’t seem to register.  I always want to shoot something else, something new.  I’m always looking for that one photo that will sum up my career and there will be no need for anyone to take another picture anywhere because that photo will say it all.  That’s my pipe dream anyways and it’s what keeps me going.

But today I decided to turn around and look at what I’ve done.  From when I first started taking pictures, not having a single clue about how to use the confounding piece of equipment in my inexperienced hands to a session that I did without a second thought.  When adjusting settings and adapting to the ever changing  light and environment  were like second nature, an automatic response.  It’s a humbling experience, full of laughter at my own mess ups, awe at the shots that I have had the extreme luck at being witness to, and overall joy knowing that I’ve found this one thing that I connect to wholeheartedly.

I suppose the whole nostalgic experience has started up because my good friend has decided to take a swing at capturing light.  I’m lending him my backup D90 right now and watching him play with the different lenses and carry around his camera bag, stopping to capture any moment that strikes him reminds me of my first days out.  I wouldn’t say that I have lost my general photographic eye by any means but having established myself more in the fashion field of photography I sometimes miss the rare opportunities that the world provides around us.  His photo eyes are new, taking in everything while mine are normally consumed with girls faces, matching clothes and poses.

Sometimes being used to it and experienced is not always as rewarding as being new, fresh and full of wonder.

On the other hand, having been around the block once or twice has allowed me to go back and see what Experienced Brandon can do with Novice Brandon’s old photos. So that’s what I did today, I took two of my favorite shots from when I was first starting out and ‘remixed’ them with how I edit more today.  At first glance I noticed a difference and there are things that I like about both versions but what is absolutely clear is that my style has evolved.  I am a different photographer than when I first started out.

Above was my first ever fashion photoshoot with my friend Kyndal and below is with my friend Allie where I was slightly more established but still quite new to the whole deal.  I love both pictures as I edited them originally but taking a second swing at them I really wanted to bring out hidden qualities that weren’t there from the start.

Enjoy what you do. Remember where you came from and how you got to where you are now and always, always keep doing it.

All work and no play..

There’s no rest for the passionate.  This weekend went by in such a blur I can only remember some details because I caught them on camera.

I’ll go ahead and add Thursday and Friday to my ‘weekend’.  Since then I have been in and out of the offices at Ashard Richley planning the big shoot for October 2nd.  I don’t want to get into too many details but it’s going to be the biggest shoot that I have done so far.   From actually holding casting calls, location scouting (and getting incredibly lucky..wait till you see where I am shooting!), planning wardrobes and finding the right MUA’s and stylist my mind is consumed with little else.

Busy as I may be, I’ve had a blast and even had time to indulge.  Thursday Ashley (the owner of Ashard Richley) took us out to lunch at Urban Taco.  I highly recommend the De Pollo.  I was stuffed and I do not recommend moving much after.

Later that day after non-stop planning we decided to run over to happy hour at Glorias.  It was a very Spanish themed day (they have wonderfully strong margaritas).  I even found a possible model candidate while there, although I made a fool of myself interrupting her dinner meeting with colleagues from her work.  I felt rather bad after.

Friday I actually put away my camera, and that evening I went out with friends and had such a great time.  Nothing better than good company, good music and a good time.  If you don’t take time out for yourself every now and again you can start to lose some of that passion that fueled you to start doing what you love in the first place.  I’m always afraid of that happening because I can get so one-minded it’s not even funny.  Friday night I just let go.

Saturday it was back to work though.  I was lucky enough to shoot a wedding party for my friends Martin and Janie who had eloped a couple of months ago.  Instead of having a big ceremony, they got all dressed up and invited everyone over to celebrate and dance.   It was great and I am so very happy for them.

Today, I’m recharging.  Not just my camera batteries but my brain.  Comfortable clothes, a Lord of the Rings marathon and good food.  Next week is going to be just as hectic if not more, but it’s the last thing on my mind today.

Life is good.

My life, represented.

Can you trust people to represent your art?  Do you think they could ever understand you enough to truly seek out what is best for you and the things you create?

As an artist trying to get exposure in the world, or in my case as a photographer trying to get my work out in the world commercially I must dive into the murky waters of ‘photography representation’.  An agency (which there are hundreds) will take my look and my style and figure out what would be a good match for a client who is seeking a creation.  It’s the most direct way to network.  Reps know the ins and outs and people go to them seeking help.  It’s also a way to pay the bills.   This is all nice and dandy but when it comes to actually finding a good fit with a rep, I get nervous.

As you can tell this is what I have been doing with my day today.  The DFW area was pounded by tropical storm Hermine (who is a jerk by the way).  We got 9 inches of rain so far and while things have quieted down, it’s supposed to start up again soon.  I even had to cancel a shoot today due to flash floods.  So very frustrating, especially when you really get all worked up and excited.

So after many cups of coffee later, I have a list of agencies that I’ve been submitting my work to.  It’s like applying for a job.  I’ll be interested to see how many I get back saying ‘no’.

On another note, my business cards have arrived!  I’m really pleased with the result and now I don’t have to worry so much about the branding.  It has taken me years to find the right logo, style and feel that represents me but I think I did a pretty damn good job.  I wish I could just represent myself for commercial work.  That would be nice.

FYI: if you live in Texas and want to go out, make sure to pack an umbrella and scuba gear.

Ad-lib & coffee.

Getting lost to find a great little coffee shop can be well worth it. A couple of days ago I met my friend Holly up at The Coffee Haus and I fell in love with the little place. It’s tucked away in a little area of Arlington and even though it took me twenty extra minutes to find it (my iPhone likes to lead me astray on purpose), it was well worth it.

I have to be honest, I’m pacing my room trying to figure out what’s important to say and what’s not.  I’m still having trouble letting the words flow but I think that’s okay.  Personally  I would probably get bored with this blog if I tried to write a novel so I’m going to leave it short and sweet.  Let the photos speak for themselves.

So to wrap up my weekend (which isn’t over..labor day!) I’ve had some ups and downs, discovered cool new places like The Coffee Haus and the Inwood Theater, been inspired by some friends and disappointed by others.  Ya know, the usual.

Celebrate we will, cause life is short but sweet for certain.

They always tell you to take time and out and enjoy the little things.  I’m sure they also tell you to take the time out and enjoy the big things.  Well today I’ve done both.

After spending an hour on the phone with a guy named Steven I am officially booked for my first commercial shoot for Ashard Richley.  They are this cute little design company that makes designer handbags and accessories for fashion forward ladies.  I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am.  I don’t have all of the details yet but it will be at the beginning of October and it will be in either Dallas or Austin.  I am leading the fashion/advertising photography side of the shoot while another photographer is coming in to shoot the products.

My day could have ended there and I would have been happy but this afternoon I got to spend time with my good friend Allie helping her out with a shoot to start her modeling career.

So all in all today was a great day.  Also, on the way home it was raining and (without killing myself) I managed to snap this while driving.  Have a good night, it’s time to relax and have a beer.

Take: #35

I guess this would be introductory blog post #35.  Time and time again I have started up blogs, kept written journals, scribbled in sketchbooks but I cannot seem to hold it together.  I have so many thoughts but when it comes to actually documenting them in some sort of written form they vanish.   I am apparently not a writer.

That’s okay though!  I have no intention of flooding this blog with my random thoughts, memories, musings and rants.  Or should I shay “I have no intention of trying..” , because I think I this point I would just fail.  No, instead I’m going to flood this blog with what I see.  I’m a photographer and someday I hope to say that I’m a damn good photographer.  Until then I want to share the process.  I want to show the world what life looks like through my lens.  This way I think you’ll get to know me a little bit better, more so than you would if I just wrote it down.  So here we go, let’s give it a shot.

I was fortunate enough today to get out and help my friend Holly with some shots she needed for an interview with American Apparel.  It’s a corporate design position and naturally I wouldn’t think they would require pictures as part of the hiring process but it just goes to show how dedicated they are to fashion.  Even their corporate employees have to model.  We really wanted to emphasize quirkiness and color with this session, reflecting my friend’s vivid personality along with the eccentric design tastes of American Apparel.  Here are some of the first shots that came out.

More to come from the collection and I hope she gets the job!  I hope you enjoyed the samples so far.

Thanks for stopping by, keep your fingers crosses that this is the last time I have to do an introduction post.