Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Cole.

Hi Brandon, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My passion for photography started and grew from an awkward situation I found myself in 18 years ago. In 2005, my daughter Nevaeh Cole, was born and she was so incredibly beautiful. Simultaneously, I joined the US Navy and embarked on my military career. After posting her pictures online, I remember receiving numerous request from companies and modeling agencies, beauty pageants , to feature her in several upcoming events, but they needed new updated images of her. So I went out and grabbed and old Sony A300 and starting shooting my daughter and that’s when I discovered my love for photography. That affliction was immediately discovered by the military as I was called to shoot many military events around the Navy and during extended deployments out to sea. By this time, I knew I was called to be a photographer as the hunger and passion grew, but I wrestled with the type of photographer I wanted to be and the path I wanted to take. After countless hours of researching areas of photography and YouTube videos, it was clear that I wanted to be a portrait photographer. First and foremost, it’s all about developing a keen eye for composition. Mastering the art of framing your subjects in a visually compelling way is the foundation of any great portrait. Before learning and utilizing artificial lighting, I had to understand light and how light behaves. Understand how light affects the overall image along with complexity of using the exposure triangle properly. For the next several years, I became a student of the game; learning composition, posing and proper exposure lighting. After seeing so many photographers work and skillset, I knew immediately that I wanted to be a more versatile photographer with the ability to shoot anywhere, anytime any day. In order to master that ability, I truly had to become saturated in photography; learning the complexities of shooting in studio, shooting on-location, using flash, natural light, a variety of lighting techniques. When I thought I had that all figured out, it was intricacies and small attention to detail in portraits that I had to learn so the challenge and road to excellence continued. To complicate things further, when I finally figured out proper lighting, it was now the dilemma of spending countless hours learning to edit the images. All in all, my path through photography prepared me many things, but what was ultimately satisfying is the continued grind it took to get here today.

Even today as I sit reminiscing on my journey, and the paths before me, one of the variables in photography that will always and forever be prominent is lighting. I learned early on that lighting can make or break a portrait. As a up and coming portrait photographer, the most crucial part of my journey was understanding how to control and manipulate light to my advantage. During this phase, I continued to explore the uses of natural light versus artificial light, experimenting with reflectors, diffusers, soft boxes, beauty dishes, and learning how to create stunning, dramatic effects with strategically placed lighting. I knew the possibilities were endless when I truly began to understand the laws around light and how light behaves. This in turn, led me to the idea for a light modifier that would proven to be extremely beneficial as another tool in a photographers bag. I call it The Blackdish. The world’s first and only all black beauty dish, specifically designed to provide a softer, beautiful image, while simultaneously reducing specularity and keeping a more natural look, skin tones of a subject and better color rendition. Mind you, all of this while still active duty military.

Finally, during my growth I discovered that great portrait photography is not just about technical prowess – it’s about capturing the essence and personality of the individual in front of your lens. Develop your interpersonal skills, learn to put your subjects at ease, and strive to tell a story with every image you create. This is where the magic happens! The one thing I love about photography is that it is always evolving. There is always more to learn and different ways to create. Every photoshoot, every model, every landscape is different and poses new challenges every shoot. In my decade of experience, I am still learning and striving to be the best version of myself I can be through my the eyes of my own lens. It has been a blessing to be able to reach and teach photography to the masses through my various social platforms like Youtube, Faceboo and Instagram; creating amazing content and a pipeline of education. My goal is to open additional photography related businesses and engineer more products for the photography community. If I had to give a few words for up and coming photographers, I would say use your skills to your full advantage and never let anyone tell you, you can’t do something! Don’t ignore the grind.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road was not a smooth one at all for me personally. Building a business and a brand takes a lot of hardwork and dedication especially when you have no investors and no sponsors while simultaneously being active duty, deploying, and fulfilling that military obligation. Ice Cube was asked about his journey as a rapper and a producer on a podcast and he said something that really stuck with me and I quote, “If you are not ready to put in 3-5 years of pure grind without making a quarter, don’t even start. Sometimes it takes that long to get over the hump.” As it relates to photography, I remember reaching out to multiple individuals attempting to obtain a little information or insight on the basic needs of photography. Am I using the right equipment? What should I buy next? If I am doing a photoshoot, what is a good rule of thumb for light placement? It was a struggle because I was never able to get the answers I was seeking so I took matters into my own hands. grinding daily, spending hours and hours looking at other photographers and content creators stealing pieces of information to manage my own workflow. Everything that I know about photography, lighting, posing, composition, flash, editing; I learned on my own and later, made me really appreciate the journey, the grind, the process and really what it took to understand the ins and outs of portrait photography. Later, becoming an entrepreneur and business owner, was an entirely different learning experience. From learning to work with overseas manufacturers, international shipping, taxes and much more, was an absolute nightmare and struggle in the beginning with no instruction or blueprint to go on.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a professional photographer based out of Virginia Beach, VA. I specialize in glamour/model/urban style portrait photography. Not only do I love being a photographer, I enjoy the challenges that photography presents because every session, every photoshoot is different and each one poses its own challenges. Whether shooting outside on location or in studio, nothing is ever the same. I am most known for my dramatic portraiture and educational tips shared on multiple social media outlets. I also sponsor several photo events a year. I’m most proud of the journey of becoming a photographer. I am not where I use to be but I am far from where I want to be. I am thankful for the supporters and the following I have gained over the years. The emails and direct messages I receive from photographers, telling me how much my tips and educational videos changed their photography. When it comes to my profession as a photographer, what sets me apart from others is my personality, my drive, my motivation and dedication to my craft and desire to be cemented as a pinnacle in the photography community. One thing I pride myself on is being a versatile photographer. Someone who the community can look to for advice and guidance regardless of the type of camera you use or how you capture your images; being there to help and be a voice is priority for me. Lastly is my thinking and creativity. As an arts major, I spent most of my life creating and finding ways to be different from the rest or thinking of different ways to do things. I use that same mentality when It comes to photography and how I structure my work, my videos and run my social media channels. I simply took all of that history and knowledge of how to be different and poured it into my journey as a photographer.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I have many photographers who attend my photoshoots or come out to learn. I also hold 1 of 1 virtual sessions for anyone looking for information on anything photography or business related. If anyone is interested in connecting with me or supporting me and my journey you can visit my website at www.brandoncolephotos.com or send me a direct message on how to attend any upcoming photoshoots or photo events.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.brandoncolephotos.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/brandoncolephotography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/brandoncolephotography
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/brandoncolephotography

Image Credits
Alley Model – Alyssa Callanta Instagram @alyssacallanta Cowboy Model – Taliah Muhammad . Instagram @muhammadt6x2 Brown Model – Jaileen Instagram @jaileendelarosa Body Shop Model – Diamond Bennett. Instagram @diamond_Bennett