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

Alright, Brooklyn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

Making anything brought me a lot of joy as a kid. The outdoors were cool but learning how to paint, sew, crotchet, build a terrarium and take photos of my animals were much more fun to me. Unfortunately, I have always had an extremely poor memory but I found that if I’d taken a photo at any moment, I could conjure the details of the entire day. I first became my family’s designated photographer at every gathering. I eventually made every sleepover into a photoshoot. I became well known as the portrait girl at school and with the internet becoming more accessible to me and Myspace on the horizon, it worked out really well that taking photos would keep me very busy.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My journey into photography was born from the desire to capture people and things as they were for either my own memories’ sake or others’. The excitement I saw in others over what I created fueled me to keep going and my ‘style’ developed on its own from a series of hit and miss portrait sessions. Without putting myself in too much of a box, I’d say you can always find a few reoccurring technical themes in my work. I love bold colors, femininity and high fashion style skin retouching. My subjects, the settings and the moods of my sessions are absolutely all across the board. One day I’ll find a way to say that I love timeless yet modern, edgy yet soft, scary yet sexy and candid yet posed photos. One day.

My first official paid photoshoot happened at the ripe age of 15 years old for me. Reflecting on all the time I’ve spent honing my craft, coming into my 28th year around the sun soon, I realize its been a wild journey that has taught me so much. At the same time, I love knowing that there are still limitless possibilities to come through this art.

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

Unlearning the mindset that the social medias have beat into our subconscious was so important to me. In the spirit of helping my peers, here is some advice. Now is an incredibly wonderful time to be an artist. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. “Everyone thinks they’re a photographer nowadays”. Eff that! Who cares? If you find joy in it, do it. If you find sorrow in comparing yourself to where others are in their journey or what their work looks like compared to yours I’ve got 3 three words: Unfollow. Unsubscribe. Block.

Comparison is the ultimate thief of joy. Try your best to stay connected to part of you that was inclined to dip your toe into your craft from the start.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

Being my most authentic self across the board of social media has always kept me connected with my clients, peers and future creative connections and opportunities. I do not fear judgement over what I post when it comes to my own style, interests, lifestyles etc. Being honest about what makes me an individual has driven a deep connection with everyone around me. I feel like less of simply a brand and business and more like a friendly, creative and down to earth individual who just so happens to offer an incredible service.

Contact Info:

• Website: OvertheBrook.com
• Instagram: @OvertheBrookPhoto
• Facebook: Facebook.com/OvertheBrookPhotography
• Other: Tiktok @BrooklynJahnaiC