Vic Brown of Venice Beach on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Vic Brown and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Vic, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Who are you learning from right now?
At the moment, I’ve been especially drawn to the work of Josef Koudelka. After visiting his exhibition at the Tate Modern in London, I came away so inspired and energized that I immediately picked up two of his photo books, which I’ve been studying ever since.

There’s also a long list of photographers I consistently learn from. A few who come to mind are Garry Winogrand, Jamel Shabazz, Matt Black, Elliott Erwitt, and Alan Schaller, I’m constantly learning from all of them in different ways.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a Los Angeles native who discovered a passion for visual storytelling early on. Today, I’m fortunate to be living out the dream of being a visual storyteller through my work as both a photographer and a video editor.

As an editor, I’ve spent more than 25 years working across commercials, documentary features, films, and music videos. About six years ago, I joined one of the best teams of my career, and together we’ve produced some of the most meaningful and rewarding work I’ve ever had the opportunity to be part of. It’s a rare and fulfilling place to be, and I’m grateful for it every day.

As a photographer, I’ve spent years shooting bands, everything from commercial projects to live performances. My background in street photography plays a big role in that work; it’s what makes photographing live events and weddings feel natural to me, allowing me to document those honest, in between human moments.

Honestly, the two sides of my work really feed each other. The eye for composition and storytelling I’ve developed as a photographer definitely shows up in my editing. It’s all part of the same creative muscle.

Today, I’m energized by the balance I’ve found in my creative life. I’m currently developing my first zine/photobook project, something that feels deeply personal and long overdue, while continuing my day job as a lead video editor.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
Definitely my mom. Growing up, I watched her sacrifice so much and work nonstop as a single mother just to put me through private school. Her example instilled in me a strong work ethic and a mindset that doesn’t shy away from putting in the effort.

Because of her, I don’t waste time complaining about the work it takes to reach my goals, I’d rather use that energy to actually achieve them. After everything she’s done for me, making sure she’s proud of the man she raised is the bare minimum.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would simply tell young Vic, you are enough! Without getting too deep into my personal history, my father leaving my side planted this belief that I wasn’t good enough. That feeling followed me into adulthood and, at times, showed up in my creative work as imposter syndrome.

Instead of letting it define me, I learned to confront it. I used those feelings as fuel and motivation to stay hungry, to grow, and to bring my absolute best to every project I touched. It was a tough process, but it became one of my sources of strength and focus in the early stages of my career.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. I live by the idea of “be you and stay true.” Authenticity has opened doors for me throughout my life and creative journey. Growing up in Los Angeles and working in the entertainment industry, I’ve seen how easy it is for people to be influenced into becoming something they’re not. I consider myself fortunate to have a strong sense of self and a solid support system that’s helped me navigate those pressures and stay grounded. Whether I’m in public or in private, I try to show up as the same honest version of myself at all times.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I’m most at peace when I’m photographing in a new place. It’s my therapy, just me, my AirPods, and my FujiFilm X-Pro3. Recently I spent time in London and Paris, and exploring those cities made for one of the best trips I’ve ever had.

London in particular gave me this unexpected sense of joy and freedom. Relying solely on their public train system let me connect with people in the neighborhoods I visited, and it helped me discover spots I might have never found otherwise. All the day-to-day noise faded into the background while I wandered and photographed. I felt completely at peace.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ivicbrown.com
• Instagram: @skippem
• Linkedin: Vic Brown

Image Credits
all photos taken by Vic Brown