Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brooklyn Harmon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Brooklyn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
In 2019 I decided to join highschool journalism and become mainly a sports photographer. It did not take me to long to realize that this was definitely my calling in life. Being able to capture once in a lifetime moments and share them with the world makes you become so connected, and in tune with people, you never would’ve met before otherwise. A few short years later I expanded my horizons and started capturing Seniors, families, and weddings! I captured my first wedding when I was a junior! From there I knew wedding photography was definitely something I wanted to give a try! Phs career counselor, Jenni Walterman then got me a mentorship my senior year with Jordy Goff from our clique photography! My senior year I mainly captured weddings for Jordy and did a few shoots on my own! In 2023 I moved my business from college at ESU-to be closer to my Kansas City clients well still being able to take Miami county clients. I am now residing in Johnson county and attending UMKC to obtain my bachelors in business with a concentration in entrepreneurship. It was hard to find a happy medium, but 2023 was definitely a year to remember, with having 20 weddings under my belt this year, I really grew as a photographer in the Kansas City industry. My favorite part of photography is being able to connect with people and tell their story through photos. My favorite part about wedding photography is capturing the most important day of someone’s life, being able to capture those intimate moments that other people would probably never do a double take at. I think that’s whats special about photography, in the end, we only have memories of what happened through our eyes, being able to see those movements created and captured through someone elses eyes gives you a new perspective, and something to cherish.
Brooklyn, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My favorite part about wedding photography is capturing the most important day of someone’s life, being able to capture those intimate moments that other people would probably never do a double take at. I think that’s whats special about photography, in the end, we only have memories of what happened through our eyes, being able to see those movements created and captured through someone elses eyes gives you a new perspective, and something to cherish. Creating a connection with my clients. I would argue is the best part about Photography being able to constantly come back into someone’s life and see the milestones of their life through photos I have taken is really sentimental to me. Especially coming from a small town. It is so heartwarming to know. I have so many supporters and people routing me on no matter where I take my business. I would be nowhere without the small town that raised me and the people in it. Considering my age (19) it is easy to feel down or compare myself to others in the industry. But that is something I love about the wedding industry in Kansas City. I have never felt discriminated against because of my age, a lot of times it’s easy to compare myself to pros in the industry that have been working longer than I have been alive. If anything, I feel encouraged and inspired to keep going by the other vendors in the community. I feel so blessed and honored that I get to pursue my dream career. When I sit down and realize that I am able to be self-employed, it really makes me appreciate every single client that has walked into my life and chose me. I think that’s what special about Paola, always, always always supporting small businesses. I think the reason I got into photography as a business was most definitely my family roots. I have always grown up around entrepreneurs. Grandpa Ed only roofing business, grandpa Dan with the tire shop, brother Corey doing fencing, and mom and dad owning café latte. Seeing my family in these businesses makes me inspired and pushes me every single day. I think my favorite type of photography is definitely capturing, couples seniors and weddings. With the couples, it’s so fun to really get to know them, and share what makes them unique and their relationship. Try new poses with them seriously is so fun it’s my goal to make my clients as comfortable and as giggly as possible. With seniors, it’s so fun to be able to show their personality. I am most definitely looking forward to the 2024 season of weddings. I have booked 23 weddings for next year -in the Miami county/KC area- so far and I’m so ready to capture these love stories. I’m currently dipping my toe into the destination wedding photography world. I am booked as a second photographer for a Mexico wedding coming up in 2024. I’m so excited to see where this business will take me and the connections I will make it along the way.
I am most proud of being a nominee for the KC Wed Photographer of the year & the rising star award. I never thought even of being one of the names for something like this. Even though I did not make it to the finalist I feel honored to even be mentioned. I never expected to be recognized like this for being a wedding vendor in Kansas City.The thought of someone writing down my business name and thinking of me makes my heart feel so full.
I mainly shoot weddings, couples, and seniors. This year I have a senior rep team of 20 girls that work to represent my brand across the KS and MO areas. They are one of my favorite parts of this job.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
It all started with joing journalism as a highschool sophomore. It’s actually a funny-not so funny story. I applied to be in the journalism program and got accepted! (The only reason I joined was so that I could get a free camera to play around with). I was so obessed with this camera I took it everywhere and captured everything, until one day it accidently ened up in the washing machine with all of my dirty laundry! So embarrasing having to tell that story to my journalism teacher, but she knew I had such a passion for photograhy so she ended up forgiving me. I ended up buying my own camera off of facebook market place after the laundry incedient. It was a very old Nikon kit for like $300. (I had a few random jobs before this to get the money for it.) I started my business from there and charged very little for random shoots that people requested. I ended up making a good profit off of this business considering the amount I had spent on gear. I ended up upgrading equitment and raising prices a few times. Investing in education and other resources, and now here I am.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I defintily think it is hard for some people to beilve that being a creative can be a career in itself. I have had a lot of people ask me “What is your ACTUAL job going to be” or “So, is this photography hobby your plan?” and to I answer with this is what I want to do, it is not often that you find someone who LOVES full heartedly what they do and have passion to push it further. Why would i just abandon a passion of mine -that is making me more than I would make at a 9-5- for a job that does not bring me joy, freedom, and inspiration. I know that it is hard for people to wrap their minds around a full time job being something of a creative gig, and I know I can not completely speak on that yet. Yes, I work 24/7 all day and everyday, but I am also a college student. I have shifted my education to a mainly online basis, so that I can give my business 110%, sacrafice is something I am willing to do for this passion of mine. I was a full time college student in Emporia, KS constantly traveling back to the KC area to meet clients and continue building my business. Eventually I made the decision to leave the friends and community I had built behind in order to build something more of myself. I could feel myself being held back by the distance and schooling, I knew I had more in myself to give. I made the scary jump to Kansas City and I have never felt more inspired and ready to take my business to the next level.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brooklynharmonphotography.com
- Instagram: @brooklynharmonphotography
- Facebook: Brooklyn Harmon Photogrpahy
Image Credits
Brooklyn Harmon Photography