October 22, 2016

Meet Hollywood Artist: Brandon McCulloch

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon McCulloch.

Brandon, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started out working for Spin magazine and was hired to document the LA music and party scene. I would basically go out on the town each night, and took over 10,000 photos in the 3 years I was there. I’d get home at 3am and edit all night to get them to the Spin office by 6am NYC time. I’d deliver 3 installments a week for my Spin.com blog “Brandon’s Big Night Out” and for the magazine itself. Next, I shot for Nylonmag.com. I decided to start shooting on film and explore more staged and artistic photos. I’m now hired to shoot everything from private clients (I was Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s island wedding photographer) to tests with new faces (discovered Allison Monet Manhart at 15 in Virginia and scheduled a shoot. She and her Mom took the photos to NEXT in NYC and Allison was offered a worldwide contract). She has just graduated high school and is moving to NYC to start working. I also currently shoot the social media photos for Velvet Margarite (Hollywood, CA) starring Dallas Texas fetish model Dorian Dane I’ve also been hired to direct and shoot music videos (Brittany O’Neill “I was no good”) and am launching a multi-media site on brandonmcculloch.com that includes my shoots, videos, and other crazy stuff that happens in my life here in Los Angeles.

Has it been a smooth road?
I’m also a professional musician, so bumpy roads are nothing new – I’m pretty good at surviving as an artist. I really like to work on projects and see them through from start to finish, which lends itself well to photography, film, and music – basically freelance, bossless work. Photography came to me pretty easily professionally because of my start at Spin. Most of my challenges have been internal; taking the perfect picture of the just the right person at exactly the right time.

Do you feel luck has played a role in your life?
I think it’s played a huge part. I’m constantly looking around and wondering “how on earth am I here doing this right now, this is amazing!” The key is to be prepared when good luck strikes, and to be open to opportunities where luck might poke it’s head out. I hear a lot of people talking themselves out of situations even before they even happen, as some kind of safety. I’ve always been dangerously open to opportunities and that’s when luck finds me.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Some combination of being outgoing and adjustable on the fly. “Oh, that’s not quite it? How about this or these?” I WILL make you happy and if I’m not the right person – I can put you in touch with the right person. I think this attitude has helped position me as a central person – opening up more opportunities. Long story short, go to a happy hour and talk to your neighbor at the bar – I guarantee there’s a legitimate business angle somewhere in the conversation. But remember this – business talk over drinks ONLY has followed through if the sun is out. The minute the sun sets and people are drinking, all business promises and plans fall apart. This may sound nuts, but it’s been my experience.

Tell us about your favorite and least favorites things about our city.
If I was in any other city and I told someone that I’m just pitched a travel-reality food show to the Sake Sommelier at Kabuki 5 days ago. Then 3 days ago we received funding for the pilot from two sake companies and tomorrow we’re flying to Kobe, Osaka, and Shibuya to film, they would think I was delusional. Exactly that. That’s why I love Los Angeles – yes, mountains, beach, beautiful people blah blah blah, but people are into ideas and projects and don’t scoff at how preposterous something should be. It’s not preposterous! There’s so much vacant artistic real estate in this town and I love to gobble it up. What I like the least is how the city of LA always finds a way to really stick it to you every few months. Wham – WTF is this charge? Where’d my bike go? ..but I PAID that already? That kinda thing.

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