I have a very special giveaway this week! I will be jealous of the winner! The only catch with this giveaway is that you must live in the Dallas area (25 miles within Plano, TX to be exact). Or willing to travel to Plano if you live a bit out of that range. I can tell you right now, it would be well worth it. Anyway, scroll down and read the great interview with Brandi and check out some of her work.
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Please Introduce yourself:
My name is Brandi Thompson, and I live with my husband Brian, and our four “kids” (three cats and a dog) in Plano, TX. I am a full time photographer, and a general lover of the arts!
Can you tell me a little bit about your business? When did you start? How you got started, etc.
I focus on wedding and lifestyle photography with a fun, organic ‘rockstar’ approach. I am a big believer in capturing moments as they happen, and customizing photos to each client, instead of fitting my clients into a specified mold.
I have loved photography for a long time. My father actually did photography in high school, and I just grew up with an appreciation for it. For years I would take pictures of my friends just for fun, and because I enjoyed making people feel good about themselves. I was previously in school, and ran into the situation that I needed a flexible income so that I could work and still go to school. I started my business in January of 2008, and it’s been growing steadily since then. As of May 2009, I am no longer attending school – having made the decision to focus solely on my business.
How would you describe your creative process? Ever get in a creative rut? How to you get past that rut?
I really let my clients’ personality dictate where I go with their session. I have a slew of places to shoot at, and I try to mix it up as often as possible. I discuss exactly the kind of feel my clients are going for, and then we just kind of go and have a lot of fun. I don’t approach anything with calculation. When I start to feel a little dry on the creativity side, I will often play around with still life objects or landscape photos. It’s generally easier to try new perspectives on an object instead of a person.
What is a typical day like for you?
Honestly, I don’t have a really set schedule. I try and make a list of things I need to get done on the specific day, and then tackle the list. Some days it’s hours of sitting in front of my computer editing photos, burning CDs, packaging prints, answering emails – things like that. I take breaks by taking the dog out to play or taking him for a walk. I also take computer breaks by working on various household chores. All in all, it’s not terribly exciting but, at least I get to wear pajamas.
Where can you be found online?
Lots of places!
Did you always know you wanted to be a photographer?
No, not really. I have always known that I am an artist, and that whatever I did with my life – it would be based in art. I’ve been creating things in some fashion since I was a small child, and I will be that way until the day I die. I have had an active interest in photography since I was young, and I can definitely see myself doing this for the long term.
Are there any fun tidbits about you, your business or life in general you would like to share?
I am a very passionate person. I love what I do, and I am thankful everyday that I get to have one of the greatest jobs on the planet. I have wanted to run my own business since I was old enough to grasp the concept, and it’s amazing to realize a lifelong dream. Outside of photography and the arts, I also love music (hence my rockstar vibe!), dancing, animals, fashion – especially shoes, books and lots of geeky things. I am a long time vegetarian and I have a slew of stuffed animals on my desk that I refer to as my ‘employees’. I am unabashedly dorky, but it’s just part of being honest.
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Up for grabs?
I would like to offer the readers a free lifestyle photo session of their choice. It can be a couples session, senior, bridal/trash the dress, family, children…whatever they’d like.
We will discuss their vision and find the perfect location. Most sessions last between one and two hours.
Within a few weeks of the session, proofs will be available in a private gallery with a 10% off on anything purchased in the first ten days.
I live in Plano, so the winner will need to be in a 25 mile radius of Plano, or willing to come this way if they live a little further out.
To Enter: Make sure to look at Brandi's website and blog, she posts some great sessions on there! Come back and tell me how you would use your photo session if you won! Also, leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!
Earn Extra Entries: (Leave a comment for each extra entry)
1. Follow my blog. Or let me know if you are already a follower
2. Follow Brandi's Twitter
3. Blog about this giveaway (Leave the link)
4. Post a message on Twitter about the giveaway (Make sure to include @rbkcreations in your tweet)
The winner will be picked on November 24th, 12pm CST. The winner will be notified by email. It will also be posted on this blog. Please make sure your email address is accurate. If no email address is provided I will draw another name. The winner will have 48 hours to provide us with their contact information and location.
