Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenda Bravo.
Hi Brenda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been fascinated with the camera and being able to create worlds within in that could be relived again and again. I used to make home movies with friends where I’d write, direct, and star in parodies of our favorite shows at the time. (Melrose Place is one of our all-time faves).
When I was 19 and living in the SF Bay Area, I fell into modeling accidentally and quickly fell in love with the photo session process, namely the intimacy between the subject and the photographer. There’s something so cathartic about being vulnerable in front of a lens and it’s why I’m so empathetic to the process still.
One day, I was on location for a shoot in Cabo San Lucas having dinner with an awesome production team and the lead photographer leans back in his chair, throws his hands up and rests them behind his neck, and says, “I Love My Life.”
And at that moment, I thought to myself, “I could have your life.”
And that’s what I did. I went back home and bought a Canon Rebel XT on a Best Buy credit card and signed up for a photography course online. I switched my major from psychology to photojournalism and began my journey of turning a passion into a living.
In 2009, shortly after graduating college, I attended the Look3 Festival of the Photograph Workshops in Charlottesville, VA, and met my idols, James Nachtwey, Martin Parr, and other giants in the documentary world. I made many friends during the week and they pointed me to Foundry Photojournalism Workshops that occur in different countries annually. I signed up and went to Istanbul the following year and my world was forever changed by the closeness and community that was forged there. I went to the Foundry workshop again the following year (2011) as an assistant to Ben Rusnak and then again in 2017 to assist Maggie Steber of National Geographic.
I moved to Lima, Peru in 2011 to document social work in the slums for a non-profit that provides infrastructure and medical care to impoverished communities all over Peru and Ecuador. It was eye-opening, to say the least, and I learned so much about social service and what perseverance truly looks like.
I stayed in Peru for seven years, volunteering with a woman’s shelter for domestic violence victims and transitioning to working full-time as a portrait and wedding photographer to earn a living. This is where I was able to focus solely on my passion and not worry about the rat race back home in California, where I wasn’t financially able to just do what I love to survive.
Today I’m living back in Los Angeles and working as a portrait and life photographer, documenting the many stages of family life, from marriage to maternity, birth to funerals. It’s been incredibly fulfilling and I’m currently working on sharing more of my knowledge about what it takes to feel confident, in life and in front of the camera because I’ve found it’s something most people are lacking and desire having.
I just began recording a podcast that will provide some perspective and helpful tips to get people to really hone in on why they’re so special and why their voice and their presence matter. I’m looking forward to airing this within the next month or so! Check back to my website for updates.
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?
Living off of your art is always going to present its challenges. There were months of living paycheck to paycheck, not knowing if this was really the correct path for me. There were tough stories that were gut-wrenching and hard to not feel attached to. I’ve vicariously experienced the great depths of the human condition by documenting everything from extreme poverty and sickness to lavish celebrations and love. Without the hardships, the good stuff just wouldn’t be as precious.
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 specialize in portraiture and wedding coverage (photo & video), and I’m particularly known for being a great confidence and posing coach. I make my subjects feel seen, cared for and listened to. I have a way of making people feel extremely comfortable in their own skin so that they are able to really enjoy the experience of having their photo taken and love the way they look.
As a wedding photographer, I’m always getting complimented for knowing how to command a group of people in a way that gets things done quickly while also making it a fun and pleasant time. I absolutely love my clients and take the honor of documenting their day with much respect and consideration.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
If someone is interested in working with me, they can schedule a call with me (http://bit.ly/Callback_BravoImage) or send me an email ([email protected]) letting me know what type of session they’re interested in so we can talk details and start planning their customized experience.
Pricing:
- Headshots, Family, Senior Portraits, Maternity, and Engagement Session Packages start at $750.
- Our Wedding Clients typically invest between $3,500-10,000 on their wedding day photography and printed products.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bravoimage.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bravoimage
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/bravoimage
