We had the good fortune of connecting with Kevin Brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a commercial photographer. Plain and simple. What that means is, at least in my case, every day is unique. Yesterday I may have photographed wind turbines in west Texas for an energy client, today I may be photographing lawyers for their new firm website, and tomorrow I may be shooting architectural exteriors of a new office building.

I’m a photo generalist I guess you could say. I don’t specialize in one photographic genre, like “food” or “fashion.” I do all kinds of photo work. Not every kind, but a lot of different kinds.

My work is pretty much exclusive to corporate-direct, agency, and editorial assignments. I do not shoot for individual consumers. So, essentially, I’m not shooting brides or babies, no family portraits and that type of thing. Typical shoots are for businesses of any size. I’ve shot for small one-man businesses to huge corporations like Toyota, 7-Eleven, JPMorgan Chase, and Progressive Insurance, just to name a few. In terms of local companies, I’ve done work for Southwest Airlines, Oncor, and Dickies. And, my longest running client is The State Fair of Texas. This year will mark 21 consecutive years of shooting for The State Fair. Big Tex and I go way back.

The Fair was one of my earliest commercial clients in Dallas Fort Worth. Since then, my business has grown to more than 900 unique companies that I’ve shot for over the years. I hope to shoot for that 1,000th client sometime in the next few months.

If I’ve learned anything along the way, it’s simple: Treat people the way you want to be treated. Be a good communicator. Over-deliver. Be present.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite spots might include an early morning trip to Deep Ellum for some street photography, walking about and shooting photos and working up an appetite for some amazing barbecue at Pecan Lodge. Another restaurant fave is Ozona Grill & Bar on Greenville Ave. Their patio is awesome. Try the Mas Mejor chicken sandwich and onion rings, or the chicken fried steak. Another place I like is The Henry. Great food there. It’s on N. Akard. The Rodeo Goat is all-things burger and they’ve got a great selection of beers.

Fair Park has got a great collection of art deco buildings built for the 1936 Texas Centennial. Fair Park is home to The State Fair of Texas every fall. Stop by for a Fletcher’s Corny Dog (with mustard, thank you) and if you happen to be there when Texas and OU play, be sure to wave at me from the bleachers. Chances are I’ll be shooting from the sidelines.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
From well-known photographers that I admire, like David Burnett, Joel Meyerowitz, Joe McNally, Dave Black, Dan Winters, Pete Souza, and Art Streiber, to others that I’ve known personally and worked with, there are so many that have impacted and inspired me as a photographer. I’m thankful for those I’ve worked alongside for teaching me things along the way. I’m still learning from others on a daily basis.

A hobbyist himself, I’d have to thank my Dad for putting a camera in my hands at an early age. That’s where it all began. And, the unwavering support from my parents continues, and means a lot.

Website: www.kevinbrownphoto.com

Image Credits
Photo by Kevin Brown

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