Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Flanagan.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
A little over 8 years ago I found out that my mom had a baby when she was really young, and selflessly she gave him up for adoption. My brother Robert and his wife Michelle lived right outside of Houston and we were in Mobile, Alabama. Long story short, everyone eventually met and reconnected. It was like we had always been family.
Fast forward about four years after we made the trip and met for the first time, as much as I love Mobile, Alabama, I had been feeling for a while that Mobile was no longer where I was supposed to be. After a year or so of praying and reflecting on where I should go, I decided Houston was the best city for me. I love how diverse Houston is. There are endless opportunities here, the people are amazing, and I really wanted to live closer to my brother to make up for all of our lost time. I met my now husband during a quick visit here shortly before I made the big move in 2014. We got married in 2016 and it was then that I received my very first DSLR camera as a wedding present (best present ever!). I had always been somewhat creative and loved to paint, draw, create home-made signs, and gifts, but photography was something I had never attempted or pursued before. Like so many others, I still had no idea what I really wanted to do with my life, but I instantly fell in love with photography as I began to play around with my new camera. I quickly began learning and soaking up every bit of information that I could. I had a few friends ask me to take their pictures and it was history from there.
I quickly realized that I had found something I truly loved doing and I began to pursue it as a career. I’ve been blessed with some of the most amazing mentors and friends who have helped me tremendously along this journey. This has now been my full-time job for the past two or so years and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Photography has pushed me out of my comfort zone, taught me a lot about myself, introduced me to Houston, the people here, and the amazing, diverse cultures in a way that nothing else could. Although I wish I would’ve found my love for photography earlier in life, it’s such a great reminder that it’s NEVER too late to start chasing after what you truly love doing.
Please tell us about your art.
From the subject matter to my editing style, my work is definitely diverse and full of variety. Seniors, weddings, births, adoptions, families, blog material, and special events are what I typically shoot. I know that many photographers try to nail down a specific look and tailor each session to that look, but I tailor each session to the client and their vibe. Sometimes my work will be light and airy, other times it may be a little moodier and dramatic. I’m always changing things up and playing with new styles. Sometimes I feel like I don’t have much to give back to my community, but that’s not true. It’s been almost a year since hurricane Harvey hit and along with many other amazing photographers in our area, I was able to do some free sessions for families in need. I may not have had a bunch of supplies, money, or shelter to give, but I had my camera.
Little did I know that’s all I needed to bless those around me. The Harvey sessions brought so much joy to several families in a time where there was none. I felt so silly for thinking I didn’t have much to give others during that time of need, but as photographers we really do have the resources to bless others in a big way when needed. My goal is that my work moves people and reminds them of the love and positivity in their life even if they don’t see or feel it all the time. Photography is a powerful thing and has the capability to make people feel many different emotions. I just hope my work moves people in a positive way, makes them feel loved, and also reminds them of their love for life and for others.
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
Sadly, I think conditions are extremely hard for artists today and I think it’s because communities fail to realize just how much we contribute, and exactly how hard we work to contribute what we do. Personally I know it’s easy to see the glamorous side of photography, but what people don’t see are the hundreds of hours we spend behind our computer bleeding from the eyes, the events and family time we miss out on because weekends are mainly the only time people are available for sessions, and the endless amount of funds we spend on our gear, website, advertising, and editing software (only to name a few), only to be constantly asked for a discount, or freebie, payment by “exposure,” etc.
My sweet friend and local artist Cassidy Matlock recently shared an amazing quote and I’d love to share it with you now. Denise Ivanoff recently stated, “I think everyone whose response to the financial struggles of an artist is, ‘well, you should have gone into tech or something useful’ should have to go 30 days with no reading, no TV, no movies, no museum visits, no video games, no theatre, and have arts stripped from all their other experiences… no music in restaurants, at sporting events, bars, stores, nothing. No audio books or podcasts or music on their commute. After 30 days deprived of all contributions of artists, I would be interested to know if anyone would still say artists were drains on society and unworthy of life.” I think for starters artists should start to support one another more than compete. I also think people should just stop and simply look around more often, I think they’d be surprised at just how much art influences their lives and uplifts them.
Learn to shop local, instead of running to Target or Homegoods for that new wall piece, find someone in your area who can make it for you by hand. Realize that your photographer puts hours, blood, sweat and tears into their work. They don’t halfway do their work, so don’t ask to ‘halfway’ pay them. There’s so many things we can do to improve conditions for artists, but I think the biggest starting point is to simply notice how much of it we all partake in on a daily basis and then think of how life would be if it were to all disappear. Support your local artists because you already benefit from them more than you realize!
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My website and social media!
Elizabethbrookephotography.com
Instagram.com/elizabethbrookephotography
Facebook.com/elizabethbrookephotography
Contact Info:
- Website: Elizabethbrookephotography.com
- Phone: 251-753-9420
- Email: brooke@elizabethbrookephotography.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/elizabethbrookephotography
- Facebook: facebook.com/elizabethbrookephotography
Image Credit:
My husband, Andrew Flanagan, took the photo of myself, I edited it.
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
