Today we’d like to introduce you to Brennan Hamrin.
Hi Brennan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
1. When I was a child I had always wanted to be a painter, then my freshman year in high school I took a photography class. The first time I stood over my photo in the developer tray and watched an image materialize out of nothing it felt like magic and I fell in love with photography! I was the photo editor of our school newspaper and photographed for the yearbook as well. I pretty much always had a camera around my neck! This was also the era of disposable cameras, so if I didn’t want to bring my big camera I always had a backup disposable. My bedroom was covered with photos! In college I started out studying photography at Long Beach State and finished my degree at Southern Oregon University. I especially loved working with alternative processes. My senior art show was a series of abstract cyanotypes. I graduated with a degree in art and art history in 2012 and officially started my business then. I was pregnant at the time with my third son and have two daughters that were born after him. So the early years of my business were very part time due to pregnancies and having young kids at home, but it was great that photography offered me that flexibility!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think running a business while also being a parent is always hard. We were growing our family at the same time I was growing my business, so my business definitely grew slower than it would have otherwise. Also, as a creative I struggle with the business side of things. Especially when I get busy with photography all the other things take so much time and often I don’t know else I’m doing. So if I need to update my website or optimize my SEO, for example, first I need to teach myself how to update my website and optimize SEO before I can do those things. So when I’m busy trying to stay on top of getting galleries back to my clients on time, I often can’t find the time for the rest. Website, social media, SEO, marketing- all of that takes a lot of time and an understanding of those things that I just don’t have.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
3. I think having kids gave me a new appreciation for photography. As I watched my kids grow and change so quickly I was desperate to find a way to remember and cherish each phase. Because of that I try to capture all those tiny details and sweet moments of connection- whether it’s at a wedding, a family session or a senior portrait session. My hope is to provide images that people can cherish as life changes and they look back. For that reason, I also try to edit in a true to life way. I’ve seen a lot of editing fads come and go, so I specialize in clean, timeless editing.
How do you think about luck?
I’m not sure about luck, but I think starting my business in the middle of growing my family caused my business to grow much slower. I think finding clients and other vendors/creatives who love your work and promote you is huge!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brennanhamrin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brennanhamrinphoto?igsh=b204YjJ6NGF4ZzZl&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19PpNeVBvj/?mibextid=wwXIfr
