Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlotte Brooks.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in a small desert town in Nevada and always felt the urge to get out and explore the world. My mom is a photographer and painter and my dad was a software engineer, so I was raised in a creative household. I picked up photography as a hobby when I was in high school but never thought about pursuing a career in it.
It wasn’t until my first year of college that the idea of pursuing photography became an idea I couldn’t shake off. I was studying journalism in Rome and found myself avoiding my school work to wander the streets, taking as many pictures as possible. I decided to leave Italy after that year to go to art school, so I packed my bags and moved to LA.
Halfway through school, I ran out of money and had to leave. I became a flight attendant so I could save money to one day return to school and so I could put together a new photo portfolio. It was here that my passion for travel photography took over. I love seeing new places or learning about new cultures, including the people and the food, and capturing it on all on camera.
I was finally able to come back to school and am proud to say I’ll be graduating this December. My goal with photography is to inspire people to take action, experience something new, and explore everything the world has to offer.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Having to leave art school was incredibly disappointing, but it also gave me the incredible opportunity to travel the world and discover another passion. Now, I try to look at any challenges that come my way as an opportunity to learn something new. If it had all been a smooth road, I wouldn’t be who I am today.
One of the biggest struggles I still face is comparing myself and where I am in my photography to other people. My advice for others would be to focus on making themselves and their work the best it can be and to stop comparing their journey with someone else’s. Always stand up for yourself and your work.
What should we know about Charlotte Brooks Photography? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I mainly focus on travel and lifestyle photography, which includes portrait and food photography of people and the foods I run into on my travels and everyday life. I like to experiment in other areas of photography such as architecture and product and am working to improve my work in every area.
In my work, I want to tell stories that inspire people to take action, whether that is to try unfamiliar food, experience something new, or buy a plane ticket for the next flight out. I believe my background gives me a unique and personal point of view when telling these stories.
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
The women in my family have always been strong, smart, and independent so I was brought up to have the same confidence. My mom has been an especially important role model for me, always supporting my siblings and me in our passions while following her own. My sisters have all been sources of advice when I need it and have helped me stay on the path to reaching my goals.
I’ve also been very fortunate to be surrounded by a large group of artists throughout my time in school. These friends and their art have remained a source of inspiration and support when I’m doubting my own work. I love that each of us has our own style, but we’re able to work together to come up with new ideas and ways of improving our work.
Contact Info:
- Website: cbrooksphoto.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charbrooksphoto/
Image Credit:
Charlotte Brooks
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