Life & Work with Brandon Lawless

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

Hi Brandon, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up, I was a football kid. I played football my entire life. I was going to LACES at the time for middle school. They didn’t haven’t a high school football team. So my parents made the sacrifice to send me to catholic private school out in Encino. There is where I took a broadcast journalism class. This introduced me to a camera, from there I just learned real quickly and easily how to use a camera. It was natural to me.

While there, I excelled in football being all area and all-conference. A major injury derailed me going to college for football so I went the community college route and from there, I was highly recruited and ended up going to Northern Arizona University where I got to play division 1 football and study film making. During my time there, I suffered many seasons ending surgeries and recently, I just had to medically retire but from there the team allowed me to help run social media, that’s where I was able to really catch up on my craft that I missed because of football.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Having this passion for football, I felt like it held me back sometimes progressing with my camera and my career. On top of having three shoulder surgeries in college. I was always super busy with football. It never stopped me from doing my best in it, but it was something that I knew I wasn’t really able to practice with my camera. That was ok for me because I loved football but I know I was a little behind due to football, but once I medically retired from football I knew it was my time hat to grind and work on my craft daily.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a creative, I’m not just a photographer or a videographer. I’m a filmmaker, I make documentaries, fiction films, things for social media, commercials. What separates me from others is my passion I’m hardworking, I’m competitive in a good way I just want to be the best simple and plain. When people work with me, what I do behind a camera is super impactful. I have good energy I’m a genuine person so anytime I’m either in a study session, on a film set, or just shooting anytime local. It’s just good vibes and that allows comfortability and allows the best shots and creative moments.

What matters most to you?
Changing people’s lives for the better. If anyone who knows me they knows that if you have stepped into my life, I have made you a better you. I pride myself on giving back because so many people helped me a long the way and they didn’t need too at all so I want to do the same for people. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I’m at so I owe it to the world and universe to keep that good energy going. What I want to do eventually is build a media/film school in the inner city, allow kids the opportunity to explore their creative side, after school where we can help them with HW, and anything else they want to do on their creative side.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Brandonlawless1