Today we’d like to introduce you to Bree Coshow.
Bree, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Whenever I get asked how I got started in photography, I tend to give credit to my childhood. As a child, I was always so artistic and creative. I loved to draw, paint, do crafts, sing, dance, anything creative really. Although I really loved to draw and paint, I would tend to feel frustrated with my finished piece because I couldn’t always create what I envisioned. So fast forward to my junior year of high school, I remember trying to choose an elective class for my second semester and all the classes I wanted were full. I spotted a photography class and thought I would give it a try, thinking it might be kind of fun. As soon as I walked into the classroom and my teacher placed a camera in my hand, I knew this was something I was going to love! All the pieces just seemed to make sense to me.
Towards the end of the semester, a representative from Brooks Institute of Photography came to talk to my class about their programs and school. I remember being interested but thinking that a career in photography seemed silly or not really possible (ha! little did I know). Then, a couple of months later, when deciding what colleges I wanted to visit before my senior year, Brooks was on the top of my list. My family and I made a trip up to Santa Barbara, CA and as soon as I stepped onto the beautiful campus, I knew I was in the right place!
My three years at Brooks were filled with a wealth of knowledge and experiences that really laid the foundation for my entire approach to my art. I was fortunate enough to be introduced to, to learn from, and intern with some very well respected photographers. Everything I learned at this school and from these professionals, I believe, is crucial to where I am now. Whenever I go into a photo session or sit down to edit images, I always go back to the concepts and ideas I learned while attending Brooks…I go back to the basics. Then, I remember a very wise piece of advice from one of my most influential teachers, “you have to understand the rules in order to break them, and if you’re going to break them, it better be with a purpose.”
In the last 11 years, since I graduated, my photography and my business have been quite a journey. I have grown so much as a photographer and an artist. I have worked for and managed a few different studios, I’ve been a 2nd shooter and assistant, I’ve dabbled with weddings, I do preschool photos, but ultimately I’ve found my passion for photographing families and kiddos. I absolutely love capturing the connections, the embraces, those little moments that families don’t really get to see all the time. They feel the hugs, the snuggles, and the kisses, but they never get a chance to stop and observe or witness the little things about their own family that just happen naturally.
That’s what makes my job truly special…I get to show each family the love that they feel every day but don’t necessarily see from the outside looking in. Oh, and those kiddos! They are my favorite…they don’t care what the camera “thinks” about them, they don’t care if their hair is a mess, or if there’s mud on their knees. Children represent adventure, innocence, and they have this carefree way of expressing themselves that is very inspiring to me.
So, I guess you could say, this is where my photography journey has led me so far!
Great, 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?
Oh no, I don’t believe the road is ever smooth when you are walking such a journey, especially in art. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I doubted myself, how many times I wondered if I truly had what it takes. I have made so many mistakes over the years, yet those mistakes have given me opportunities to learn so much more about my art, my business, and myself.
I think my biggest struggle, as a photographer, is simply believing in my own art. It seems so silly, but it’s very easy to get stuck in this rut of comparing yourself with other artists and photographers. Once you get stuck there, it can seem like everyone else’s work is ten times better than yours. Believe me, there have been many moments where I had to pull myself out of that place. The way I got out of it is by simply picking up my camera, challenging myself, and even going back and reediting photos over and over again. Honing your craft can take a lot of time, patience, and determination, but it is always worth being able to look back and see how far you’ve come just by pushing yourself!
Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
Little 1 Photography was created the moment I realized how much I love photographing kiddos and their families. I specialize in capturing the essence of each child and their genuine interactions with their loved ones. I love being able to play and interact in order to elicit that genuine light-filled smile that we all love to see from our children. Although, on the other hand, sitting back and letting them explore, allows me to see into their world. Observing children through my lens gives so much perspective into my photos. To me, it’s about capturing the story of each child – whether they are adventurous and outgoing or more reserved and observant, my photos are about them. I take a very similar approach when photographing families. I enjoy the moments, the embraces, the playfulness, and the little details that make each family and their connection unique.
I also pride myself on my editing process and my final images. It’s part of my art. When I sit down to edit my photos, I think of the initial image that I took as a sketch, a starting point. I then work with the different elements in each photo to enhance what I see – the colors, the light, the contrast. It’s almost like a painting for me. I also enjoy bringing each photo to “life” in order to show you what I see when looking through my lens. I love color and vibrancy! Here and there, you’ll also see me throw in some Black & Whites that allow the viewer to be more aware of the moment and connection that was captured.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Honestly, my proudest moments as a photographer, have to be a family’s initial reaction to their photos. There is no greater feeling than when I am able to show families their photos and witness the expressions on their faces as they see the cherished moments that have been captured. My heart swells up with so much happiness when a mom tells me that grandma cried when she first saw her grandson’s photos or when grandpa watched the slideshow on repeat for at least a half an hour. To know that my photos have touched someone in such a way and will stay with them for generations truly means the world to me. Those are the times that I am most proud, for sure!
Another aspect that I am very proud of, is the work that I am able to do for an organization called the Capes & Crowns Foundation. With this foundation, I am able to volunteer my services and help provide inspirational photo sessions for children who have been through a life-altering event, such as a serious illness, disability of any sort, or anything else no child should have to live through. I get to photograph them as their favorite superhero, princess, character, or role model – whatever these kiddos can imagine, we make it happen through photography and photo editing. It truly is a magical experience to witness these children seeing themselves as the heroes they really are!
Contact Info:
- Phone: 858.204.8661
- Email: little1photo@yahoo.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/little_1_photography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/little1photography
Image Credit:
Little 1 Photography
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