Today we’d like to introduce you to Cole Brummond.
Hi Cole, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My photo and video career began in the 8th grade. I saved up money from working all winter and summer long. Each day I would split and stack wood, mow fields, and take care of the property my grandma and I lived on. I grew up in central Oregon on a good size piece of property and cared for my close friends and family. After finally purchasing my first camera I met one of my life long friends Jesse. Jesse was already miles ahead with his career in content creating and he really inspired me to grow my love for creating visual art in the form of pictures and videos. Together we traveled the entire country with my father in a trailer. Each summer my dad, Jesse, and I would pack up our mountain bikes, camera equipment, and all the essential ingredients to make a mighty fine quesadilla, and we would venture off into unknown places where we searched for what brought us joy. It was through these experiences we had traveling the country with nothing but a trailer and some mountain bikes that I found my true passion. What started as a hobby shooting photos of dirt bike races and rodeos quickly turned into something more. Life had other plans though.
As I went into my sophomore year of high school my beloved Grandma had suddenly passed away. This absolutely tore me to shreds as she had been the woman responsible for raising me since my parents were dealing with health and marriage issues. At this point, I put down the camera and picked up fighting, partying, and doing absolutely everything in my power to distract myself from the emotions that I was feeling. After moving in with my stepdad whom I despised because of the emotional and physical abuse he brought to our family I was completely lost. It felt as if nothing or no one wanted to help, and I became hopeless. Continuing on my mother needed to create distance from my stepdad in order to rediscover her true self so we packed up her things and she moved to Fallbrook. I was then stuck living alone with my stepdad and things continued to go downhill.
One day my stepdad came into my room late at night asking if I wanted to wrestle. Now, I would normally couch surf and stay with friends, but on this particular night, no one was available to have me over causing me to stay home. When my stepdad came into my room he was with his crew of friends having a poker night. I could tell he was on some sort of drugs as something was just off about his character. He refused to take no for an answer and grabbed me by the arm. We proceeded to wrestle until it quickly escalated. I knew the situation would escalate, which is why I didn’t want to wrestle him in the first place. Him being nearly double my size and age he got the best of me for the first bit. He then proceeded to take the breath from my lungs placing me in a chokehold and refusing to let go even though I had tapped out.
Having been boxing competitively for a number of years my fight response kicked in stronger than ever before. I subdued him and was able to deescalate the situation and leave the house. I then called my best friend and asked if he wanted to help pack my bags and drive to Southern California so that I could start fresh. He agreed, we packed a U-Haul truck, and drove 16 hours to our destination. It wasn’t until after moving here that I would decide to pick up my camera again. Once I moved, I started shooting photos of things that were new to me and interesting since I was in a completely foreign environment One night I was walking through downtown Oceanside when two grown men confronted me and questioned what I was doing. I told them I was shooting behind the scenes for a music video called “Late Night” for a local rapper named Dezzy Hollow. Part way through telling them what I was doing they lunged at my friend’s camera equipment. At the moment I had to decide what to do. Knowing that I could put my boxing skills to use I disarmed the men and took both of them down so that my friend was able to get away.
At this point, a knife was pulled and I was stuck fighting two grown men with weapons all by myself. I got the best of both of them and was thankfully able to knock one of them out and begin running away. They got up, chased me down, and corned me. I was fearful that would be my last moment on this earth, but it wasn’t my time to go. two punches were thrown and I ducked both of them allowing for a quick escape. At this point, my camera equipment was all busted up as I utilized it as a weapon to defend myself, but I was discouraged as I couldn’t afford any new equipment. Instead of throwing in the towel on my content creating career, I decided to take advantage of the situation and start from square one. This and much more has led me to where I’m at today. I am far from where I want to be in my career with photo and video but I am beyond thankful to be alive. This motivates me each and every day to work harder and cross more goals off my list.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Going off of what I was previously talking about it has been far from a smooth road. Each corner has yielded many trials, such as holding loved ones as they take their last breath, being robbed at knife point and fighting for my life, dealing with a laundry list of family trauma, and an abusive stepdad. Some of which is discussed in the previous question. I’ve seen and felt things that I would not wish upon my worst enemy. I now deal with anxiety anytime I step foot outside of my house knowing that someone could instantaneously take the breath from my lungs. I fear losing family members as I don’t have much family left. I fear going to sleep at night as I have nightmares about previous trauma from being robbed. Despite all of the bumps on this road I’ve faced at only nineteen years of age I’m incredibly thankful for those experiences. All of the trial and tribulation has created the man I am today and it has allowed to have more compassion for those who are going through similar things.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am known for creating visually appealing landscape and action sports photos for various clientele. I’ve had the opportunity to work on big production sets for commercials, music videos, and more. I have also been blessed to have shot some of the biggest motocross races in the world for brands such as Red Bull. Some of my other work involves national water skiing events, portrait shoots, and music videos for various music artists. I am most proud of a commercial style video I filmed with a band called WeTheCommas for Dwayne Johnson’s tequila brand named Teremana tequila, which was by far one of the biggest milestones in my career. What sets me apart from others? It’s my story. I have a unique upbringing and at such young age I’ve seen and gone through things that most go a lifetime without. Through these experiences, I’ve developed a drive and passion for what I want in life. No one can take that away from me. Some days it feels like all that’s left is my work ethic. When all else fails and life keeps kicking me while I’m down my inner drive for something greater always prevails. I’ve been on the brink of death many times and that has instilled a desire within me to do everything in my power to make the most with my time and energy here on this earth.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My grandma was and is my everything. Despite her not being here today she has been the light at the end of my tunnel. No matter how dark things may get I know she would never want me to give up or make excuses to do less and that’s what motivates me. I also can’t even begin to give enough credit to my main man God. Without God guiding every step of the way I would’ve fallen long ago, but he prevails in every circumstance. Other than that most of the people in my life have contributed to the person I am today. I take little credit for the position that I am in because I couldn’t go through life without my friends and family. Despite being hurt and betrayed by many people I still give them credit because I would’ve never seen the good without the bad, and learning from others mistakes has been a huge contributor to getting me this far so I give all the glory to God and the wonderful people he’s allowed me to learn from.
Pricing:
- Full day: $750
- half day: $300
- Hourly: $40 per hour
Contact Info:
- Email: brummond.cole@gmail.com
- Website: https://colebrummond.myportfolio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cole.brummond/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJwiQ_wahDrhzTY8TwB8xNg
Image Credits
Cole Brummond
