We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brian Halbach a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Brian, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?
I often reflect on how my prior work experience has influenced my photography style and approach. I had various roles in customer service and teaching. In both roles you find yourself needing to make positive connections with your clients, students, parents, and coworkers. I was a bartender in my mid to late 20s. This face-to-face with people was a chance to test social skills, hone perceptions, and build quick relationships in hopes of a bigger tip. Sometimes you only have the time of them ordering a drink and you filling that order, to create that connection. I moved from bartending to barista. The same principle applied but in smaller time frames. I only had 30 seconds to create a connection and it became a joy to try and a challenge to jolt someone out of their day of routine.
This carried into my work as a photographer. I realized the importance of relationship building from the first call to inquire about a photoshoot until they received their final product. I often find myself in close contact with the client giving them proper expectations, plans of attack, and positive reassurance of their progress through a shoot.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have been a photographer for 10 years now. I started at the Art Institute of Tucson earning a photography degree. It was a great experience to work with creative peers. I was allowed to photograph the culinary depts. gastronomy cuisine. We had access to lighting and a full studio. I was fortunate to have a solid educational background starting out. I found myself really gravitating towards two forms of photography; real estate and portrait. Real Estate photography is my most frequent form of image-taking. I have been shooting homes for over 10 years. I use a Matterport 3D camera to shoot in 3D. I earned my drone pilot’s license to get those sweet aerial shots. I have improved my skills and gear to shoot flambient photography.
My other love of photography is portraits. Senior portraits, sports portraits, boudoir portraits, business and actor headshots, so many great forms of portraits. The real joy is working directly with the client to open up, relax and attempt to find that perfect angle.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I love working with people. The process is fun from the moment I speak with them about their vision to the delivery of the final product. The moment I wait for is when they first see their photo, either from my camera or on their device. They show such a range of microemotions. People go from being stressed, nervous, impatient, rigid, self-conscience straight to calm relaxed, and confident and they continue the process willingly and with more energy. It is a great feeling to encourage that.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
My big pivot was to go 100% photography. For the last 10 years I had one foot in photography, and 1 foot in a low-wage job that helped supplement my small photography work. I lived uncomfortably in that state, not willing to take the steps to push it full-time. I was working at a golfing country club on the driving range greeting members and helping them with their golf needs. The CEO and owners from the parent company were in town to do business with the club. The crew of 4 or 5 men were talking past my station as I waved and greeted them. Not a single person acknowledged my existence as they walked right past me. That was the moment when I realized I cant sit here making obsene amounts of money for people who couldn’t find it in them to politely say hello/nod/ wave to the employees propping them up. That day I quit and said I would never have a boss again. The people I work with are people I want to work with.
Contact Info:
- Website: brianhalbachphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianhalbachphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianhalbachphotography/photos/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-halbach-51a4671a6
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/brian-halbach-photography-oro-valley
- Other: https://brianhalbachphotography.smugmug.com/