Today we’d like to introduce you to Branndon Brown.
Hi Branndon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m an L.A. native, born and raised. That is something that I carry with a lot of pride. There’s a unique creative energy here that flows effortlessly, and I’ve always felt deeply connected to it. I’ve tried so many creative outlets over the years, always searching for something that felt like mine, something that let me express myself and represent what it feels like to be from this city.
I had always taken a lot of photos with my phone, but never really considered photography as a real career path. That changed for me when I met my now-wife Victoria. She had an old Nikon DSLR and let me take it with us on a trip to Yosemite. I took one of my first intentional photos on that physical camera, and I was completely hooked. This is when I really started following photography as an art form.
Even then, photography was just something I did here and there, but kept coming back to. Growing up, creative type jobs weren’t something I was even aware of. Life was more about getting a “good job” and playing it safe. But slowly, I started taking that old Nikon around the city with me more often. That creative side of myself that I felt was slipping away for years finally came roaring back!
Then, on Christmas a few years ago, my wife surprised me with a brand new Canon camera. Honestly, that gift changed everything. Not just because it was a great camera, but because it felt like someone truly believed in me. It was more than a tool, it was an investment and who I could become.
From that point on, I became obsessed. I took my camera everywhere. I really started purposely exploring Los Angeles, shooting constantly. There was so much I realized that I had never seen. It’s easy to grow up here and take this city for granted. Street photography suddenly became my training ground. I found myself seeking moments that “felt” like L.A. as I wandered, often aimlessly, around various neighborhoods. I found myself wanting to capture L.A. the way that it has always lived in my head. . . a city full of stars, all living their own movies, even if they don’t know it. Then I started taking portraits of friends, and those evolved into more stylized, artistic shoots. I connected with a model friend and did my first full shoot in a production studio, with no prior experience and completely fell in love with fashion and art photography.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to never say no to any type of photography opportunity. I’ve done family sessions, political events, lifestyle shoots, weddings, modeling portfolios, and head shots. No matter what opportunities come my way, I absolutely love the process every single time. Each opportunity teaches me something new and every time I shoot in L.A. or with people from the city, I feel like I’m adding to the story of what it means to live here.
It’s been a journey of discovery, creativity, and pushing past the limits that I had always placed on myself. Now, being a father, it has become especially important for me to show my son ( Son’s…. we have another one on the way!) that it doesn’t matter what you choose to do or when, but that you believe in your vision and work hard to do it well.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Finding my way in the creative world hasn’t been a smooth road, but I am better for it. I started down this creative path later than most, and balancing everything, family, friendships, a day job, bills, you know, all the adulting things, makes it tough to constantly pour energy into something that begins as a hobby. Making the shift to business isn’t just challenging logistically, it’s also something not everyone around you always understands. And honestly, sometimes I struggle to fully believe in it myself, but I’ve learned that believe in yourself, you have to push through that uncertainty.
Trying to build a career around your creativity is rarely a straight line. There are constant moments of self-doubt, and it’s easy to get caught up in comparing your work to others: especially when you’re always studying other photographers and artists for inspiration and technique. That’s where impostor syndrome creeps in. Though this, I have learned that how others feel about your work, has to come second to how you feel about it.
You have to be your own biggest advocate. If you don’t cheer yourself on, it’s hard to build the confidence you need to keep going. For me the key has been to keep creating even when it feels hard or pointless, because that’s how I grow, I connect to others, and I remind myself that storytelling through my photography is the most powerful gift I can offer.
One of the most beautiful things about being an artist in Los Angeles is how diverse and vibrant the creative community is. There’s so much talent here, but also, so much room to carve out your own space. You just have to be willing to keep showing up, keep practicing and improving and keep putting yourself out there. Personal, creative and professional growth is inevitable.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a photographer, I don’t limit myself to a specific niche. I’ve done everything from weddings and political events to fashion shoots, brand sessions, and street photography. What I am most proud of is staying open to all types of work, which has helped me grow creatively and build confidence in my talent. That mindset is what inspired me to start my company, Branndon Brown Photography… a space where I could fully explore and express that creative freedom.
My passion is capturing moments that feel real. Especially scenes that reflect the energy and spirit of Los Angeles and our culture. I aim to create/capture images that feel vivid, human, and emotionally resonant; almost like you could’ve been there, or maybe you were, or maybe you just want to be.
What I feel sets me apart is my openness, both creative and personal. I don’t box myself into any one specific area of photography, and I collaborate with a completely open mind. I trust my instincts, explore my artistic vision, and strive to tell stories that connect people through shared experiences. Photography has taken me on a journey of breaking through what I thought were my limitations, constantly pushing me towards growth and pushing me past moments of fear and uncertainty.
Also, music has had a big impact on my photography. Almost every picture I have taken has a musical vibe set to whatever I was feeling that day. I can usually remember what I was listening to while out on the town, snapping away. I don’t know if that sets me apart, but it definitely adds another layer to my work.
Any big plans?
That’s such a loaded question! My future plans are everything, honestly. I’m shooting for the stars here: I want to become a world-famous photographer. But more than fame, I hope that journey is rooted in highlighting the city I love most, Los Angeles.
I also want to expand into travel photography. I’ve been lucky to visit some amazing places through my day job. Most recently, India and Singapore. During those trips, any spare moment I had, I was out in the streets with my camera. I sacrificed sleep just to explore and capture places I’d only ever seen on Anthony Bourdain’s shows (R.I.P.). Experiencing other cultures firsthand through the lens has really shaped how I see the world outside the U.S.
One of my biggest goals is to contribute to the legacy of Los Angeles photography. I dream of publishing a book that documents what life here looks like in my time. Books like Manifest Destiny by John Humble, Fragments of Los Angeles by Gusmano Cesaretti, and Los Angeles: Photographs; 1967–2014 by Lloyd Ziff… those are time capsules. I want to create something like that for the next generation. LA is at a major turning point. So many of the buildings and neighborhoods I photograph won’t be here forever. My work is a love letter to the city, a way to preserve the magic I see on every street.
More than anything, I hope to keep connecting with people. I want to take on meaningful projects, tell important stories, and give people images that help them feel seen, like the stars of their own movies. If my work can inspire someone, or simply give them something beautiful to hold onto, then that’s everything to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.branndonbrownphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inside_the_golden_spiral?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
Branndon Brown
