Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Gonzalez.
Hi Brandon, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Right at the end of highschool I got into the car scene, I had a nice car and always had no money to pay someone to take photos of it, so me and my best friend at the time decided to take the little money we did have and split a Nikon D3200 for $200 off the selling app OfferUp. We started taking photos of my car, going to local car meets and doing free photos of friends cars. After a year or so, we realized cars are all the same. They dont move, have emotions or feel the value or grattiude for a good photo. We then started following random people, friends of friends on Instagram. We would DM 50 people a day just offering free photoshoots. At that point in time, we woke up every weekend at sunrise and made sure we shot with a different person from sun up to sun down. THIS WAS ALL FOR FREE. But what it helped us learn was how to connect with all types of different people. People of all different cultures, heights, weights, looks, you name it. We took people who were complete strangers and who were so shy, and broke them out of their shells and always received at the end “I had so much fun, i never thought i would enjoy getting my picture taken”. This is what photography was about. For me, I deeply felt their feelings because I chose being a photographer so that i can stay behind the camera, i hate my picture taken. But to make someone feel comfortable, more open, and capture them and make them feel beautiful. That was more valuable then money
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to say the least was never smooth. The smoothest was probably in the beginning when I had a very slow customer service job, I would watch youtube videos on photography; how to pose, the exposure triangle, how to make people comfortable, etc. My favorite creators that i still refer to today are Jared Polin (Froknowsphotos), and Tony & Chelsea Northrup. As time went on and I realized that i might want to make a job (not career) a job out of this, i was met with resistance from my parents, and close friends. They all thought it was cool that i took photos however, i always got asked “what are you really going to do with your life”. This sucked hearing, and for a long time it hindered me from growing. I have always wondered that if i had full support in the beginning how far i would be compared to where i am now. But, i am glad i had this reistance, because it shaped me into the person i am today and the success i now have is much greater because i proved everyone wrong.
And i want to give a special shout out to two people.
1. My mom (Diane Gonzalez) – As a kid growing up , every where we went, everything we did, required a picture. At the time of being a kid, it was annoying to say the least. but now, i understand. photos are the only memories we are allowed to keep forever. so i believe seeing her be that way subconsciously instilled being a photographer in to my brain
2. My friend Sean – Sean is the one that split the camera with me way back when. He dealt with all the negative feedback as well. Unfortunatly, i will never forget the day that we sat in my car and he told me he was getting a corporate job to make his wife at the time happy. he told me to go be a photographer for him, because i was to good at it to give up like he was doing. he explained he would live vicuriously through me but he encouraged me and pushed me to purse this as a career. So without that push, i might have followed him and let go of this crazy dream. i am happy to say though he quit the corporate job and became a full time photographer as well.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In this day and age, I truly believe that if you buy a pro grade camera, anyone can call themselves a photographer. So what makes my work special is this. I dont sell you on just my work. I sell you on the experience I am going to provide you. From the moment I hop on a call with you , i make sure to be myself, this means I am going to curse, i am going to be honest, and i may come off a little arrogant. however, this shows you who i truly am. Mind you, the way i am is not for everyone and i am totally ok with that. But being myself allows my client to know i am giving you my trust. I am known for probably the way i am at shoots. I dont dress up, i dont wear button downs, or pants sometimes. I wear what is comfortable because if you are paying me for good photos i am firm believer that what i wear has nothing to do with it. Im most proud of the imprint i continue to leave on people i work with. Countless times have i had clients book with other photographers and come back and explain “they just werent the same”. I like to think (and i have worked with a few) that a lot of photographers out there are to serious. Its not all about posing, its not all about proper angles or chin placement, half smiles, full smiles or serious looks. When people arent having fun , everything else is harder to do.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I dont know how to answer this. I played baseball and kept my friends close. i got in trouble in school and always had a “ill do what i want attitude” still in me today. My interests were always in video games, music and baseball. Photography came a little later
Pricing:
- always doing a deal
- discounts to all nurses, RT’s, hospital staff, military and fire and police
- once a year i do a name your price no questions asked deal
- 1 wedding a year for free (photo and video) as long as travel and stay are provided to a location of my choice. ex: if i want to shoot a wedding in alaska, i will do it for free as long as the couple pay for travel and stay
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/wholeaspect
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@basicallyunemployed
