We caught up with the brilliant and insightful BROOKE JAMES a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

BROOKE, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Overall, I’m relieved to be a creative! I would be desperately unhappy in a 9-5 job with the stress, pressure, and deadlines. Society tells you that being corporate is the only way to live a stable life, which, on the one hand, is mostly true, but it entirely negates your happiness. I’d rather be inspired, working on something I truly believe in, than miserable. I’d be lying if I said I had never considered it, though!

BROOKE, 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’m an Australian director, photographer & producer, who moved to LA 5 years ago. The thing that sets me apart is my ability to seamlessly switch between the creative & logistical side of my brain. Although I can do all 3 jobs independently of one another & collaborate with other creatives, clients often hire me through my production company, Brooke James Productions, to handle all aspects of a shoot instead of outsourcing to 3 separate people. It’s a way for me to assess & streamline the client/project’s needs & can be much more cost & time efficient.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn being “technically” correct. I’m self-taught in every aspect of photography & was obsessed with the technicalities of learning the “right” way to light a subject. After being on set with a talented photographer friend, I learned there is no “right” or “wrong” way. There are a million different lights/modifiers that will produce the same outcome, so don’t sweat

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a creative is the people you meet along the way. I have THE most inspiring friends & collaborators that consistently inspire me to be better & keep learning.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brookejamesproductions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooketjames