“Photography, in general, is a process, the growth won’t happen overnight” a mantra that wedding photographer Andre Brown shares with the budding artists that attend his photography workshops in hopes of enhancing their craft. Andre is an award-winning wedding photographer based in Atlanta and is an ambassador for companies like MagMod and Light & Motion. When he first started out, he, like so many others, wanted speedy, microwave results. He hit a point in his career where he realized the importance of taking your time, staying consistent, trusting the process, and surrounding yourself with people that support you and want to see you win was the ultimate key to success. His impeccable art and elevated portraiture are not only thought-provoking but also serve as an inspiration to peers alike. Andre’s work stunned us in our Visual Flow Facebook Group and it wasn’t long after that we reached out to interview him to find out more about his career milestones, the definition of success, & more.
How long have you been a photographer? What got you started?
“I’ve been shooting for 5 years now. A few years prior to starting I’d found photography to be interesting but it was the encouragement of my family that made me dig into it as a career. My prior exposure to photography had been fashion and beauty. So when I starting shooting weddings, I shot what was familiar and appealing to me. I love the depth and drama that come from shadows so I mostly shoot with short light or Rembrandt lighting. There are so many amazing shooters of different styles and even similar styles, so I do my best to provide a client experience that they won’t forget.”
Who are some of your favorite photographers?
“Joshua Dwain, Jide Alakija, Karl Taylor, Felix Kunze, Susan Stripling.”
How do you differentiate yourself from the photographer down the street?
“If you simply focus on the end result of the photo, one might think that there’s a lot of similarities and that it’s difficult to differentiate one’s self. But, when you pause and realize that your brand isn’t just the final photos, but is the entire experience you provide…it becomes much easier to differentiate.”
What do you think your keys to success are in this industry?
“To continue to evolve. Before I started working as a photographer I thought once you “learn to light” you were a good photographer. I’ve concluded that you don’t simply “learn to light”, it’s fluid, ever-changing and you have to change with it.”
How has the Visual Flow Preset system changed your workflow?
“It’s definitely made editing quicker and it has allowed me to explore techniques that I wouldn’t have thought of before with the different options that come preprogrammed in each pack. I can move my mouse over them all, see which I like best, and then go from there. My advice for those that want to learn to edit in Lightroom is to take their time and try to learn new techniques whenever they can.”
If you’re interested in following Andre’s photography journey, make sure you check out his Instagram and view his full portfolio on his Website.
