We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brett Larson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brett below.
Brett, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I first became interested in photography back around 2010. At the time my wife and I were living in the midwest and took a summer vacation to Colorado. We spent some time in Rocky Mountain National Park and were amazed, I had never seen anywhere so beautiful. We came across a local landscape photographer in Estes Park (Images of RMNP…check him out!) and I was blown away by the images he captured. I knew right then that I wanted to pursue landscape photography. I bought my first DSLR soon after and we moved to Colorado where my wife finished her medical school and residency. I worked a full-time job as I was the sole income source and we needed insurance, but honed my skills on the weekends during our mountain adventures. Most of my photos from that time period were not that good, but I got lucky enough times to keep me going in pursuit of perfection and I was hooked!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a photographer that focuses primarily on landscape photography and selling photo prints. I am based in Northwest Montana which provides plenty of beautiful subjects to photograph! I got into photography about 10 years ago as a hobby but have only just recently started pursuing it more seriously. I started off doing a few art shows and was surprised by the success I had, which made me think that maybe this could be more than just a hobby for me. It was such a satisfying feeling to earn money from your craft that I had been working on for nearly a decade.
My favorite part of my job is taking custom orders. I have limited space both on my website and in a booth at an art show. Often times people have a specific place in their home they are looking to fill and what I have on display may not fit. Once I know what types of photos they like I can go through my catalog of photos and help to pick the one that best fits their home and style. Picking the print medium also has a drastic effect on the photo; some photos may look great with the soft, glowing effect that acrylic gives while others look better on metal which accentuates the contrast and color saturation. Working through all these options with a client to tailor a photo so it fits their home just perfectly is one of the most rewarding things I do.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
You can support local artist by making sure to buy local whenever possible. There are lots of places you can buy framed art at much lower prices than I can even print, let alone sell and attempt to make a profit. However, when you buy a from a local artist you’re getting a quality, handmade, one of a kind item that someone has poured their blood, sweat, and tears into. A big box store won’t even notice the miniscule profit they make from that photo, but the local artist that is trying to eek out a living from their art will appreciate your purchase more than you’ll ever know.
If you aren’t in a position to buy, then like, share, and comment on their social media pages. Spreading the word about local artists is a great way to help them out without having to spend a dime! There are so many talented artists out there that it’s easy for someone to get lost in the mix and have a hard time growing their following. Most of my sales come from art shows and in-person sales, but social media definitely helps spread the word about you and creates a “buzz” around you or your brand, which can help drive sales at your store, show, or website.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect for me is seeing people display my artwork in their homes. It means so much to when someone connects with my art enough that they choose to place it in their home. When a local client orders a piece from me I always hand deliver it as it’s a great chance to see where it will be placed and to hear more of the backstory on why they connected with a particular photo. Hearing why someone loves a particular piece is incredibly motivating and really helps me to feel a sense of purpose behind my work. A close second is when people take the time to stop and admire a print. Most people at art shows will glance at a photo and maybe offer a compliment (which is nice for sure), but I really appreciate when someone takes a few minutes to really study a photo. I put a lot of work in to composing and editing photos to make sure they look perfect at large print sizes so it’s extremely gratifying when people stop and appreciate all the work that goes into making an image.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brettlarsonphotography.com
- Instagram: @brettlarsonphotography
- Facebook: facebook.com/BrettLarsonPhotography
Image Credits
Brett Larson Photography