Today we’d like to introduce you to Brett Kane

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

Unlike many, my passion for photography began a little later in life. While I was going to college, I was sure I wanted to make movies – not take pictures. I majored in film, took film classes, and attempted to make my own with my friends and classmates. The entire reason I got my first DSLR camera to begin with was to help with my projects for school – I never thought I’d be interested in taking a still image. I even had plans to move to Los Angeles with some friends I’d made at school, with the hopes of working my way into the industry from there. Then, I graduated, and for one reason or another, those plans fell through. I felt stuck in the small town that I’d grown up in, without a real sense of purpose or direction in my life.

When you’re making a film, you need a team, and you need lots and lots of time. Even the no-budget amateur short films I made while I was in college took months and months to complete. With photography, all you really need is yourself and a camera. So, I began taking pictures. I would go out with my friends and teach myself how to use the camera and take a good photo. It didn’t take too long for me to connect with other people in the area who shared similar interests, and I had only been shooting for about a year when I shot my first wedding.

I was able to gradually grow my brand primarily through word-of-mouth – my social media following wasn’t (and still isn’t) huge, so I relied on those positive recommendations from what little clients I’d already had to get the ball rolling. These days, it’s become easier to keep my photography schedule full. I’m not sure what I was thinking when I was planning to move to California to pursue an entirely different career, but looking back on it, I’m glad things worked out the way that they did.

Alright, 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?

The biggest challenges I faced when starting out were mental and financial. I’m a self-taught photographer, and on top of that, I wasn’t somebody who was experienced in teaching themselves things before that. It took a long, long time to get to the skill level I’m at today, and I still have so much room to learn, grow, and improve. I remember so many photoshoots I’d do as a beginner where I’d come home, review the photos, and feel like the end product did not match the vision I’d set out with whatsoever. That discouraging feeling is hard to overcome, especially when you’re just starting out and you feel like you may have bitten off more than you can chew. I think it takes both determination and humility to grow as a photographer, or as an artist in any field, for that matter. You have to recognize the flaws in your work, and no matter how bad that first photoshoot went, you have to pick up your camera and try again.

I don’t believe you need cutting edge gear to take good photos, but your skills can definitely outgrow that cheap camera you started out on, and upgrading your equipment isn’t always easy. When I first started photography, I was working a minimum wage, part-time job at the local movie theater. I saved all the money I got from the few clients I had to eventually buy the camera I have now. It took lots of time and patience. I’m grateful for the old Nikon and kit lenses I learned on, but I’m glad I was ultimately able to replace it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

I’m not sure I’d say that I specialize in any particular kind of photography, but portraits are what I’m the most experienced in and what I’ve spent the most time perfecting my skills in. I guess that’s both because I enjoy, and portraiture is one of the most accessible avenues of photography there is. Back in the day, if I wanted to take pictures, all I had to do was call one of my friends and hit the streets. There were a lot of times where I wouldn’t even have a specific concept for the shoot in mind – just the desire to take photos. To this day, I still go out and take portraits of my friends as much as possible, both old and new. Photography has introduced me to so many lifelong friends, and I’ll always be grateful for that.

Above all, though, my concert photography is what I’m the most passionate about and the most proud of. Maybe it’s because I’ve always loved music, but there’s something about a great action shot of a performance that gets my creative inspirations flowing more than any other kind of photo. The energy you can capture in just one still image of a concert can make you feel like you were actually at the show. Over the past few years, I’ve shot shows for some local artists and venues, and it’s easily among the best experiences I’ve had in my photography career. I’d love to make a living out of shooting concerts one day.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?

My parents deserve the first shoutout here – they’ve supported me from day one. Even when I was a complete beginner, when I took terrible photos, when I wanted to give up, they always encouraged me. They were the ones who bought me my first DSLR camera when I was in college. I know it sounds obvious – they’re my parents, and they’re supposed to support their kids’ dreams. But not everyone is lucky enough to have parents like that, and the encouragement from them went a long way in boosting the confidence I had in myself.

I would also be nowhere without my friends who were there for me in the early days. I may have taken bad photos, but they posed for them anyway. I’ll always be grateful for Manuel, who spent countless late nights cruising the roads of small eastern Oregon towns with me, searching for the perfect nighttime portrait shoot location. For Nathan (who is now an incredible family and wedding photographer under the brand name West Coast Camera Crew) for being my photography partner of sorts in the beginning. We started learning photography around the same time, and it was incredibly helpful for my growth and confidence to have someone to make mistakes and celebrate successes with. And for Bailey, who lent her time, patience, and energy (and sometimes gear) to help me develop my skills behind the camera in those early stages. Some of my favorite photography-related memories involve her.

And last, but far from the least, is my girlfriend Kira, who is not only my number-one supporter, but is also a one-of-a-kind, multi-talented artist herself. Her enthusiasm for my work lifts me up when I feel like I’m not good enough. Her passions, struggles, and successes with her own art motivate me to achieve my own goals. Her sheer talent inspires me to do better every day.

There are so many people who have helped me get to where I’m currently at today – too many to name and count. But these specific people absolutely needed a shoutout. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be a photographer today if it weren’t for each of them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brettkanephoto.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: @brettmkane
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brettkanephoto/

Image Credits

The photo of myself is by Katherine Vandergriff (@katsphilm on Instagram).

All other photos were taken by myself.