Today we’d like to introduce you to Brant Williams.
Brant, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Hi guys, thanks for having me! My journey with photography started years ago when I was a skinny kid growing up in the mountains of Colorado. A friend had given me a tiny camera on a keychain, a toy really, that took 110mm film (back when that was still made). There was no viewfinder and no settings, you just pointed it in the general direction, clicked, and hoped you had something. It was simple and wonderful. Growing up I had no shortage of beautiful places to point that little camera towards, I’m so grateful that I was raised in a place that was safe, simple, and had an emphasis on getting outside. With no internet or cell phones to distract me yet, I would spend all my time outside the apartment exploring our small town. When I graduated from high school my parents gave me a 35mm Canon Rebel as a gift and I literally used it until it fell apart. By then I was getting to travel a bit and being able to document and try to recreate the feeling that these new places and experiences gave me was a challenge that I adored.
A bit of an introvert and a lover of the outdoors, I naturally gravitated towards shooting landscapes. There’s something about being alone on a mountain top after a five hour hike and seeing an incredible view that was prepared just for you is one of my favorite feelings. I wanted other people to see what I saw and feel what I felt. I wanted people to know that was out there waiting for them if they’d just put in a little work.
Eventually, I wanted to take on the challenge of photographing people. There is life and emotion in really good portrait work that has always captivated me. No landscape photo in the world will forge a connection to the human condition like a perfectly timed snapshot of a person’s struggle or joy. Now I have the privilege of photographing people in one of the most amazing cities in the world!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There are always struggles in art. It’s one of the reasons there’s so much emotion attached to it. I would say the biggest struggle for me has always been assuring myself that I’m good enough and worthy enough to find success in this field. There’s so much self-doubt that comes with trying to create anything. Then add on the stress and fear that comes along with trying to make a business out of it. You work so hard to get to a point where your art is on the same level as the art that got you interested in it in the first place. And if and when you do finally get there it feels alchemic, you have no idea how you got there or how to stay there. Then suddenly, you have to take the magic and inspiration that goes into that creation and try to jam it into the mold of a business plan. Good luck with that.
Please tell us about your work.
Brant Williams Photography is a one-man show. I specialize in lifestyle and portrait work that has a bit of an ethereal feel to it. Much of my work is not hyperrealistic and it often has a painterly quality to it so it’s not for everyone but it resonates with some. I most often work with models, dancers, or yogis but I’ll also I’ll also sometimes do family or wedding portraits in my style which is fun.
When I work with clients I try to focus on establishing a comfortable relationship between us before I ever take the lens cap off. For a portrait to connect with a viewer there has to be some vulnerability captured there. That’s hard to do when you just stick a camera in someone’s face and start shooting. I want each shoot to feel like a true collaboration so I value and encourage the ideas and inspiration of each subject as we shoot.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have a very strong cheerleading section in the form of my friends and family. There have been many times where they’ll prop me up when I need it. You really need a tribe behind you. You don’t want to fly too high or sink too low, they’re good at keeping me where I need to be and reminding me of how far I’ve come and how much I’ve accomplished.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BrantWilliamsPhotography.com
- Email: BrantWilliams@icloud.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brantwilliamsphotography/
Image Credit:
Kristen Calabria, Myla Ivers, Kaiti Mackenzie, Stephanie Greco
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