Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brian Doyle. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Brian, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Field experience! Because I don’t have an academic background in photography, I gained all my insights from working in all aspects of the field and with mentors. Working long hours in energetic environments challenged and advanced my understanding of the technical aspects of photography and photographic equipment. These challenges provided not only professional but personal growth. While academia may have provided textbook skills for this career, I believe time and experience are the best learning tools. The ability to work and adapt under pressure, independently and with a team, in addition to communication and detail-orientation are some of the most essential skillsets. Despite learning from top professionals in the field, I never received direct feedback on the business aspect of successful photography. This skill set developed with personal experimentation and overcoming the demotivation of competition and rejection.

Brian, 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?

As a child and young adult, photography served as a creative outlet, providing a visual storyboard for my experiences. After university, I worked as a financial advisor, but always felt artistic limitations – so I took a risk, quit my job, and moved to LA to pursue my passion as a photographer. Because I had no formal training in the field, I didn’t know where to start. I applied to be an actor on various film sets to gain better insights to cinematographers and their equipment. From television and film sets to concert venues to nightclubs, the adrenaline was contagious! However, after a few years, the excitement slowly transitioned into burnout, and I yearned for an authentic connection.

The first humpback whale I ever saw changed the trajectory of my life. The cruise ship on which I was employed as a photographer was nearing the end of its tour, sailing through Auke Bay, Alaska, when it breached just off the starboard bow. The whole ocean seemed to move around its enormous center of gravity, water thrown and displaced like confetti. My heart slowed and, awestruck, I snapped my first wildlife photo.

Half a decade later, my life has been incalculably changed as a result of that chance encounter. Since the day that whale revealed to me my real passion of conservation photography, I have guided guests on expeditions through Antarctica, Japan, Hawaii, Canada and, worked with companies like National Geographic and Seabourn, and taken more photos of humpback whales and other animals than I can possibly count.

Today, I am honored to integrate my passion of green spaces with conservational education and ecotourism.

From wildlife and landscape metal prints to customized guided photography and editing tours, I aim to stimulate conversation and promote environmental literacy to help shape how people understand, interact with, and interpret the world we live in. Additionally, in collaboration with eco-friendly companies, I promote greener initiatives to empower travelers to travel sustainably.

I am proud of my journey in this career and the opportunities to photograph wildlife in some of the world’s most remote locations. I’m truly honored to have collaborated with my mentors and colleagues, all of which I’m proud to call my friends. As I’ve transitioned into selling my work, the supportive comradery has provided an uplifting sense of community. Over the past couple years, I have learned that in the highly urbanized environments we live in, people crave connections to the natural world. For most people, my photos are windows to places they have never been, places that, in some cases, sadly are disappearing. Thus, I breathe authenticity into my photography and aim to promote environmental literacy.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

As a young photographer, I dabbled in various genres of corporate photography. From concert photography to portrait photography to film, I honed my skills in fast-paced, demanding environments. While these environments provided a contagious thrill, getting up close and personal with over 150 artists, actors, and actresses, and their boisterous fans, it quickly brought burnout. I yearned for my childhood connection to nature and a better sense of purpose – one that was not fulfilled by living and working in LA. Based on the recommendations from colleagues on set, I applied for my first cruise photography position, which opened new opportunities for guiding and hosting workshops for guests around the world. This necessary pivot brought a sweet nostalgia of green space appreciation and guided me to where I am today.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Photographers follow a singular path to success. Early in my career, much of the advice I received strongly recommended I choose one photographic niche and stick with it. Photographers encouraged following a traditional path: providing pro bono services to build a portfolio, selling stock photography, applying for internships and agencies, and, after a few years, build my own brand. From concert venues to weddings to film sets, I spent my early years attempting to find my “niche” and follow a path that never felt right for me. It was not until I challenged this antiquated system that I learned there are many paths to success and opportunities to integrate different photographic niches. In hindsight, because I listened to traditionalists, I realized I didn’t give my career my full effort until I accepted a modern approach.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.briandoylephoto.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/briandoylephoto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrianDoylePhotography/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandoyle1987
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNGP9yBBF6W8X1UMzi3vcZQ
• Other: tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briandoylephoto