We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brenda. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brenda below.
Brenda, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I am entirely self-taught. The process I’ve used to learn my trade and craft is the same one I apply to any endeavor: an intense passion that fuels relentless practice. For me, practice is the ultimate jumping-off point; it’s through trial and error that I truly find out what I need to know.
Of course, everyone needs a starting point for the basics—like learning simple camera operating modes. In today’s digital landscape, those fundamentals can easily be gleaned from online tools, YouTube, specialized software courses, and occasional in-person training. My own path was a combination of YouTube and, as I mentioned, a heavy dose of trial and error.
Looking back, I would go about things almost exactly the same way, with one major exception: I would drop the pressure I felt early on to immediately possess a “recommended” gear list just to prove I was a professional. Once you learn the actual mechanics of light, shadow, and composition, you realize you don’t need the latest and greatest gear. In addition, the cost of gear can be (and was) a major obstacle in getting started when building a portfolio with less expensive gear is perfectly acceptable. If a massive project demands it, you can always rent it. Initially, the sole goal should be to shoot and practice as much as possible to enhance your skills.
The other major shortcut I would take is diving into editing much earlier, specifically to develop an appreciation for a photo’s natural state. There was a time when I was overly focused on heavy retouching, but over time, I’ve returned to a cleaner, more natural aesthetic that truly suits my style. Still, learning the editing side of the trade is a massive part of mastering photography.
When it comes to direction, I’ve been incredibly blessed to essentially learn on the job. By honing my skills through my own creative photoshoots, I’ve been able to translate that experience into guiding and helping others, which has been incredibly rewarding. Ultimately, it all comes back to passion because passion is the driving force behind practice.
Brenda, 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?
I am a Virginia-born, Baltimore-based creative working across photography, directing, writing, and painting. My journey into this industry wasn’t conventional. Before fully committing to a life in service of creativity, I spent over a decade working in operations and administrative support at law firms. While that environment taught me structure, my real education came from the world. Traveling solo to nearly thirty countries and spending six years living in the Balkans profoundly shaped my artistic lens and the way I navigate life and art.
Today, my work is anchored in high-end beauty and fashion photography, though it is deliberately stylized according to my own established aesthetic, which leans into something much more raw, vibrant, and innovatively ever-shifting. My goal is to bring a cinematic, editorial essence to every frame while preserving that organic vitality. I am proud of the milestones I’ve reached along this path, including having my photography published in titles like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and other major publications.
What sets me apart from others in my field is an unyielding emphasis on storytelling. Because my disciplines also span writing and painting, I naturally approach visual mediums with a narrative framework, always looking for the underlying subtext and mood of a scene. Living with a visual disability has uniquely shaped this perspective; it grants me a distinct capacity to step deeply into intricate emotional landscapes and translate those complex, unseen feelings directly into my art.
This desire for intentionality and authentic observation recently drove my decision to step entirely away from legacy social media platforms. I chose to prioritize digital autonomy and foster a more genuine connection with my audience and clients through my personal website and newsletter, rather than creating for an algorithm. Above all, I want potential clients and collaborators to know that whether I am behind the lens, painting, or directing a set, my work is always grounded in deliberate, evocative storytelling.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
The truest test of my resilience is navigating the visual arts as a legally blind professional photographer.
For example, for many people, a dimly lit set or the fading light nearing dusk simply means adjusting a camera setting. For me, it means a near-total loss of sight. Early on, I found myself on shoots where the light would suddenly drop, essentially rendering me blind. I had to abandon what I couldn’t see and rely entirely on intuition to navigate the terrain and capture the frame, determined to still deliver results.
Those moments of literal darkness forced me to adapt. I realized resilience isn’t just about pushing through; it’s about evolving. I established a trusted team so I no longer have to be the sole photographer in those conditions. Instead, I step into the role of director, guiding my team to execute the creative vision while they manage the technical capture.
Navigating those constraints tapped into deep reservoirs of problem-solving, positivity, and faith. I continue to employ that resilience across every endeavor, proving that physical limitations don’t stop the show.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My primary mission is to be a living example of pushing through barriers and authentically expressing my voice, both as a creative and as a human being. As a frequent mentor, I take pride in having offered a blueprint to others who have gone on to forge their own paths, and I live by the motto: ‘If I can do it, you can do it.’
I want to inspire people to step fearlessly into their purpose, live their truth, and never be afraid to evolve. Now more than ever, it is crucial that we create from an authentic place so that our voices are not merged into one collective mimicry. It is essential to maintain our individuality and showcase exactly what we have to offer the world. That is my driving purpose across all of my creative endeavors.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brendanasr.com
Image Credits
Marija Necak (my photo)