We’re looking forward to introducing you to Brendan O’Malley. Check out our conversation below.
Brendan, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What battle are you avoiding?
Marketing.
I cannot stand spending my time trying to convince folks to look at and hopefully buy my artwork but, it’s a necessary evil, part of the business.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Bren O’Malley and I am a landscape photographer. I live in North San Diego County with my wife and two grown kids. I have been married to the same woman for over 35 years and have traveled all over the world. Venice Italy in the Fall is my favorite spot in the world however, Northern France has its own dynamic, style… “oomph” I guess you could say that really draws me in. I like the pace of life there.
I am also an engineer, disabled veteran, a guy just trying to contribute to the world in any way I can.
I took up landscape photography because I needed an escape from engineering. I can’t really go into what I do in that field other than it is tied to aviation and national defense.
The photography just grew out of my own interests. I have always enjoyed photography and picked up my first camera for a summer school photography class my first year of high school. This eventually turned into a photographers assistant job in Del Mar where I learned the ropes, lighting, metering, setting up shots, all the stuff to enable the photographer to do his job with the models in as little time and effort as possible. We did a lot of beach work, swimsuits, fashion, The “California Scene” that was prevalent during the 90’s and we tried to capture and sell this through photos.
Like so many others in the San Diego area, I lost my photo job during the mid 90’s so, I joined the military. Flew on helicopters for about ten years, survived some accidents, got seriously hurt a couple times and was forced out of the military because of my injuries.
Then I went to college, got my engineering degree and made a life for myself and my family. I’ve been an engineer for almost thirty years but, I needed more so, I picked up a camera again.
One of the best decisions I have ever made.
The first experiences back behind the camera were a disaster. My memories using film and being forced to quickly learn digital clashed and it was a struggle. But like everything in life, just kept pushing, learning, changing and growing. it is now really starting to pay off.
it has been a heck of a journey and worth every step.
My brand is simple: Provide something to others, even if its just a smile, encouraging words, or a little help.
When I take photos, I try to imagine how others may see or feel when looking at my images. I try to encourage them to feel relaxed? Calm? But I also try to convey a message as well…. strength, solitude, the strength of our environment, especially when it’s stormy or poor weather. Some of my best photos have been taken in the middle of storms or foggy mornings.
And when I’m not doing photography or my real job, I am the staff photographer for the North County Veterans Stand Down (NCVSD.org). We provide services once a year to homeless veterans, get them off the streets for four days where the can get social services, caught up with their VA benefits, and hopefully off the streets. We’ve had a lot of successes but, there is a lot more to do.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
That I wasn’t worth much.
Lets just say that home life wasn’t positive and I just didn’t fit in.
I struggled at home for years but once I turned an adult, I moved out and basically made my life from scratch.
I flew in the military for a few years, became and engineer and then, a leader, developing other people, their skills, knowledge, and abilities.
I hit all my goals for myself so, I one day decided to pick up a camera again which has led me to where I am today.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Boy, Did I!
When I was in the military, I went to a very challenging leadership school and what the instructors did is from the very beginning is remove the people who doubted themselves.
This school started with what they called “conditioning” where they just see how much a person can take both physically and mentally. We pretty much did physical conditioning everyday, all day. for a couple weeks.
And once you get through that first week, it gets harder. A lot harder.
Mountain climbing, swamps, desert, everything you can imagine with practically no sleep and little food. This went on for 64 days and when I graduated, I had lost almost 20 pounds in weight.
I got through this school with the simple mindset which was “no matter how hard today is, I’ll quit tomorrow” and I simply kept that thought in my head every day and night.
And I made it. I passed the leadership school.
Sure, it was tough but, it taught me so much about myself that it changed how I look at myself. This school really showed to me, the person I have to live with for the rest of my life, that there is no challenge, issue or problem that I cannot tackle or solve. I can do almost anything, so long as I “quit tomorrow”.
To put it simply – it changed how I think about myself. I changed from “how do I do this?” to “I gotta figure this out and put it behind me”.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Nope.
The public version of me is outgoing, engaging, likes to make people laugh a bit. Great discussion topics are always engaging.
The private version of me is quiet. A person that seeks quiet. I have a television but rarely turn it on. I read everything from beliefs, biographies, cookbooks, everything. I just want to learn, feed my brain.
Others would say I’m an introvert and in some ways that is true but, I do enjoy going out being with friends and family.
I share my public life with others which can be loud but, my private version of me seeks quiet, a good book, or photo spots to visit.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing?
Nothing.
I have lived what many would call a pretty full life and have tackled every dream I have had.
Photography, flying for a living, engineering, raising a couple kids, seeing the world. I have just lived a quiet, fulfilling life on my terms.
People as me “how did you do all this?” I just tell them that I set goals and worked the goals in small steps. I never discussed what I was doing with others. I just got the goal done and then showed them… “look what I did.”
Made some great friends, saw some incredible sites and wonders, and cannot ask for more.
Sure, there has been struggle with all this but, that’s what made it all incredible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brenomalley.com
- Instagram: bren.omalley.photography
- Twitter: @BrensPhotos_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553367480060
Image Credits
All photos Copyright: Bren O’Malley
