Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Angers.
Brian, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
At the beginning of my photography life, I began to attend El Camino College with the mindset of getting into Editorial Portrait Photography and getting the chance to work with Vogue, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stones, GQ, and others. My choices took me to Boise State University in Idaho to obtain my BFA degree. As well, it gave me the chance to get to see other cultures outside of Los Angeles and experience the out-of-state lifestyle.
During my time up there, fate had other plans for me when one of my newer friends in Boise asked me to photograph her wedding. I had never shot a wedding before had no interest in going into weddings, but I knew it was good money and something new to do. So, I got to shoot her backyard wedding, and surprisingly, I enjoyed it. I had another friend ask me to do hers the next year. Then another friend hit me up as well that next year. Then another friend, and another, and another! Suddenly I kept getting asked to shoot weddings.
I eventually did graduate from Boise and moved back to Torrance to still chase after the Editorial Portrait dream. Along the way, I would still get asked to shoot weddings. With time, I began to realize what was working for me and what wasn’t. It was just before the pandemic I made the decision that I was going to change my goals and put my focus into the Wedding Industry, both as a Photographer and Videographer. That’s when the story of my official Wedding Business began and thus was born Atlas and Rose Studios.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was a surprisingly smoother industry to get into than I expected. Because I’ve always trained myself to do portrait photography, the photo element and posing itself came to me with ease. The hardest thing was trying to figure out how weddings themselves worked and what I was supposed to do. After a few weddings though, I was able to pick things up and become more efficient. Even with that, it gave me the chance to network with other vendors and start creating professional relationships. It’s because of those relationships that have grown my studio to where it is today!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I initially started off as a photographer with experience in the portrait field. I loved and enjoyed the idea of creating visual stories and finding new ways to push the boundaries of my storytelling. That love eventually evolved into shooting videos in Weddings. Creating wedding videos has taken my storytelling mindset to a whole new level and has given me chances to tell stories I couldn’t properly showcase with images themselves.
The one thing I look out for most in my storytelling is showcasing the little moments during the day. Give your grandparents a hug, laugh at an embarrassing story during dinner, looking at your partner in the hallway during a break. It is all about creating content that will stand out to others and get couples encouraged to want to use you. As well though, it’s about capturing all the moments of the day that mean the most to the couple you’re working for.
What I’m known for is being the jokester wedding vendor. I’m an individual who loves to laugh, make others laugh, and just have a great time. I’ve also been given the title of “Hipster Indiana Jones” because of the fact I now wear a black fedora for all my weddings. In my eyes, it’s a great way to keep the sun out of your face the entire day, and it’s a fashion statement.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
A risk, In my mind, is a moment in time when you have to make a decision whether you wish to move forward with something you’ve never done and will possibly flop. Or do you take the safe route with the knowledge you already know and am comfortable with and not take the risk? For me, we only have one life to live. One Chance! I don’t always take every risk that comes my way, but if I feel this is a risk that can benefit my future and allow me to grow as both an artist and as an individual, then I’m willing to take the risk.
My most recent biggest risk is the number of funds I’ve put down this year on brand new video equipment. The biggest game-changer for my studio was when I began to offer video coverage along with photo coverage. I usually had to rent video gear to do so essentially working for free. I eventually worked my way up video-wise to where I was on par with other videographers, but I knew I could go even further. When I had enough saved up, I finally purchased a new video camera, a new drone, and new video accessories. It’s truly made an impact on my immediate bank account, but I know it’s going to pay off for me in the future.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://atlasrosestudios.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/atlasrosestudios
- Facebook: facebook.com/atlasrosestudios
- Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UCZLxTIob_ZrOaQODFWh9VmA
