Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Brink.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My photography journey began surprisingly recently. I was on vacation in Cape Town, South Africa in December 2016 for my 21st birthday. I was actually born in Cape Town and lived there for the first 12 years of my life until my family moved to Houston. I had not been back to visit Cape Town in about five and a half years, so I was STOKED to be there once again.
While in Cape Town, I wanted to photograph the breathtaking scenery and the unique culture, so that I could show all of my friends back at college. Something I always laughed about was that my family owned a DSLR camera yet I was the only one who knew how to use it. This was the first camera I ever picked up, and I began to like taking photos with it, however, it was never anything special for me. Anyways, I snatched the camera for the trip and took it to every place we went to.
The Cape Town trip was the turning point in my life because it was here that I discovered my passion for photography. One day, I met with an old friend of mine to hike up Table Mountain, something I never wanted to do when I was younger. My friend and I planned to hike up the mountain to catch the sunset from the very top and ride the cable car back down the mountain once it began to get dark. We wanted enough time at the top to take plenty of pictures, so we raced up the side in a mere hour and a half. Keep in mind, most people take the cable car to reach the top of the mountain. While trying to catch my breath, I sat gazing at the beautiful city far below us. Looking right, I could see the mountain continue to meet Devil’s Peak and looking left, I saw the sun about to fall behind the clouds. I moved about the mountain top taking pictures of whatever looked interesting. I remember sitting on a rock, with my feet dangling off the edge, looking at the sunset and the photos I had taken. I could not believe what I was seeing on the screen! Something clicked in my mind while taking those pictures; they all looked epic and exciting. This was the moment I realized I wanted to become a photographer. It was thrilling to race up a mountain to catch a sunset before it dropped below the clouds, putting yourself on the edge with a drop hundreds of feet next to you, just to get the perfect shot. When it’s only you and Earth’s beauty around you, you feel so alive.
Ever since that hike, I reached for my dreams as a photographer, teaching myself everything I needed to know through YouTube, online articles, and getting out and taking photos. I took photos as much as I could during college because I knew that with practice and diligence I would become a better photographer. Now, two years later, I can look back on that hike where it all started, and have absolutely no regrets with pursuing photography.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth journey. I remember struggling with Portrait Photography when I first started. I struggled with keeping people relaxed during the shoots, which frustrated me when looking through the photos afterwards to see that the person looked tense and uncomfortable. I always wanted to get the shot “right” in the beginning and had to learn with time that I have to accept that my photos will not always turn out the way I want. You struggle with wanting to schedule more shoots than you actually have. You long for more opportunities for you to use your skills. You have to figure out who you are as a photographer, specifically what defines you, and why people should choose you over another photographer.
I also struggled with the idea that I had discovered photography too late in my life. After all, I was halfway through getting my Bachelors of Business Administration from Baylor University when I decided I wanted to be a photographer. Thoughts like: “What if I had gotten to pursue photography instead of business as my major? How different would my life have been if I had done that instead?” ran through my mind constantly while finishing my degree. However, I knew that I had to shake the thought because I could not change my past, but rather work to make Photography my future.
I am a firm believer that struggling makes the journey. When things do not go as planned, you can always learn from the situation. You know what to do right the next time you have a photo shoot; you know how to be better. If life was easy going, where would our personal growth happen?
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a portrait and landscape photographer. Portraits are what I focus on the most right now because that’s the easiest way to make money with my photography. Houston is definitely not like Cape Town, so you have to find a way to use what you have to be successful, and that portraits photography.
I get STOKED about shooting outside because we’re stuck inside all day so why not get outside and enjoy the fresh air and the sun. Really cool things happen with light when the sun begins to set; colors become more vibrant, skin tones soften, and shadows are less harsh. But MOST of all, the sun can be put in the frame. My favorite thing is to have the sun peeking behind someone’s head in a portrait. I love where I live because there are so many trees and small forest areas. Greenry is used most for my portraits. I feel like it’s always aesthetically pleasing to see the color green in photos.
On the other end, I also live for landscape photography. I recently went to Joshua Tree National park and managed to take some incredible Landscape Photos while there. You can look at more my photos on my website. Landscape photography started my photography journey, so it will always have a special place in my heart. My dream is to become an adventure photographer; to go out and explore places like Iceland, the Pacific Northeast, and South America.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I like that there are many forest areas because I like to use green in a lot of my portraits. I also like the large cities because they can be great backgrounds for urban photography.
I do not like how Houston there are no mountains, and their nearest mountain is about a 1o hour drive from Houston. I do not like how big Houston actually is. I live in the Woodlands/Spring area, so if I ever want to shoot downtown, I have to dedicate my who day to going downtown. Lastly, I wish the beach was closer and that the water was blue and not brown like it is in Galveston. Sadly, I was spoilt with Cape Town beaches while growing up., but I try to make the most of what I have.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.timbrinkphotography.com
- Phone: 8322480016
- Email: Tim_Brink@alumni.baylor.edu
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/by_brink_/
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