Geoff Brouillette, a wedding photographer based in California, still can’t believe he’s got a ‘real job’ - capturing moments at weddings and being as creative as he wants to be. As he keeps telling his wife: it’s not real life. Geoff believes in keeping things simple, being humble, being true to yourself and to always learn. He has even started writing a comedy script for a show he’d love to see made. Find out also about a cool project he has in mind for his daughter’s 31st birthday - hint, think time capsule.
1. What is life to you? What it should be?
Life to me is doing the things Jesus did when he was here. Hanging out with people, fellowshipping, helping the less fortunate, encouraging, letting people know they have a destiny, and loving them. It's pretty simple really. Life should be made up of the people that keep us going. We all have somewhere we want to go, just make sure you fill it with people to get you there.
2. Where did you grow up and how did that play a part in your photography?
I grew up in southern California in a city called Corona. My wife and I are actually in the process of moving back there to be closer to our family so my daughter can hang out with your grandparents. To be honest, I don't really think the city I grew up in played much of a part in my photography.
3. There are a lot of professions out there - why be a photographer?
I've had a lot of random jobs in my days and I knew I wanted to run my own company someday. I think being a photographer and doing it for a living has really all the best qualities in a good job. I get to pretty much set my own hours, I get to be as creative as I want while telling an awesome story, you make as much money as you want too, and you get to capture things for "work" that some people do on their vacations. I think being a wedding photographer isn't real. I always tell my wife it's not real life.
4. What is your favourite non-photography pass time?
I think I had an awesome child hood and did the things a boy should while being young. Some of my fondest memories are skateboarding with the neighborhood kids and waiting for the street lights to turn on so I knew it was dinner time. It's a shame that our kids these days will never really have that experience we did. Where we played outside, got dirty, stayed out all day with no mobile device in our pockets.
5. What TV are you watching?
I've been watching this show on HBO called Vice lately. Vice sends out people to document whats happening in different areas of the world. It's pretty insane really. I'm a religious watcher of the NFL Network and The League. I've lately been really excited that Season 2 of Silicon Valley (trailer) is coming out as well.
6. Is/Are there any project(s) you wish you could do - or might do?
I've actually started writing a script for a show I'd love to see made. It's based on four of my good friends lives that I'll try to combine into a show. It's more of a comedy/how life is being a 28 year old. We'll see how much time I'll actually have for it though. I've found that it's pretty hard to balance the things you'd LIKE to do vs the things you NEED to do. The free time at the end of my day I want to spend with my wife when our girl is a sleep. It's hard to tuck myself away in the office again and work on a project. I think that's really what I want to work on this year. Balance work time, family time, and me time.
7. Do you make more personal images or are they mainly for other people?
I shoot mainly other people. I think I have really like three pictures of myself. Maybe I should add that into the things I need to try more of this year as well.
8. Do you shoot with your left or right eye?
I shoot with my right eye but lately I've been switching back and forth. I think just to mix it up a bit. There's no real reason.
9. Are there any unseen experimental images in your attic you’d like to show us now?
I wish. I really wish I had unseen images somewhere. Maybe I'll start taking a bunch of self portraits this year, put them in a box in the attic, and label them for my daughter so she can find them when she's 31 yrs old. Editor's Note: Like.
10. If you were to start all over again, is there anything you would do differently? Why?
Actually, yes there would be. I think being a wedding photographer we get caught up in what's everyone else doing and how do I get bigger, get on more blogs, etc. We start copying what other people are doing because we think that's what I have to do to get "there." If I could start over, I think I'd just shoot how I want to, brand how I want to, and for the first couple years not look at anyones work. I think starting out we are constantly measuring ourselves to other people and I feel it hurts us more than grows us. I believe that practice won't necessary make you perfect but it'll make you pretty damn good at your craft. Don't be afraid to humble yourself, learn from people, ask questions, experiment with things, and go against the grain. We all see things differently, now figure out how to capture that with you camera. Don't over think things. Keep it simple.
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