Please click here to check out my Kickstarter. Thank you for all the support over the years!

I’m very excited to announce my Kickstarter campaign for a very special personal project that has been in my head and heart for the last 3 years. It’s always been a dream of mine to create a large sureal series of photographs centered around a character.  The campaign’s purpose is to fund the purchase of a prop (SPACE SUIT) for a LARGE fine art series I will shoot along my travels in my airstream. (you read that right, Space Suit) The Space Man character, The Xplorer, will be found in a variety of landscapes that I will shoot in many of the country’s national parks over the course of 2 years.  I’ve come up with a pretty awesome range of rewards  from Polaroids, prints, and to a very cool book that includes your name in it on a special Thank You page!

This was not such an easy thing for me honestly. It’s hard to put yourself out there as a creative, to ask people to believe in you enough to pull out their hard earned money. But if you believe in the project enough you just have to go for it! It’s only been live for about 35 hours and I’m blown away by the amazing pledges and abundant positive feedback I’ve gotten!

To be honest the timing is extremely hard for me to grasp because literally 1 hour after the campaign went live did I learn on the  Tornado devastation in Oklahoma. Such horrible loss. Words can’t begin to describe how much I love that I live in this country that rises to help its people in a time of crisis. (government and individuals)  SO LET ME BE CLEAR! First and foremost, I ask you to consider giving to one of the disaster relief organizations for the Oklahoma Tornado victims. Then after that if you still want to be involved in making this project become a reality then I would be extremely grateful.

• Text “Storm” to 80888 –> $10 to Salvation Army
• Text “Redcross” to 90999 –> $10 to Red CRoss Disaster Relief 
• Text “Food” to 32333 –> $10 to OK Regional Food Bank

After meditating on it quite a bit after I learned about the tragedy I was still left with the feeling I truly believe this project will inspire lots of people  with its visuals. I’m not saying it’s going to rebuild that town, that is underway already. But it’s important to stay inspired! To spur the imagination.

Please click here to check out my Kickstarter. Thank you for all the support over the years!

Deadly Tornados, Plant explosions, Marathon Bombings, school shootings, theater massacres. We’re beaten up but NOT BEAT. Rise through love!

We live in an amazing time where technology has enabled us to do what only previous generations have only dreamed of. Recently a friend showed me this video of John Butterill’s Virtual PhotoWalk. The idea is this, we can now stream video so effectively using mobile devices that we can “take” people to places with us! This is HUGE for the population that are challenged physically.

Needless to say I’m inspired! I have always wanted my upcoming trip to not just be about me so I can’t wait to do this while on the road! Does anybody have anybody specific that this would benefit? Maybe a children’s hospital special department? I would love to connect with them and start forming a game plan with my Airstream trip. Would love to do a few locally around Dallas before I leave as well.

Add me on Google+ at BRIAN BRAUN

Start your own Virtual PhotoWalk to Share and Help Others here

Be Well, Go Far!Braun

Exactly one year ago I left my beloved America and headed to Africa. Africa has always been on the top of my list for as long as I could remember and nothing has captivated my attention like it since. There is nothing like Africa. It changes you no doubt and honestly I can’t explain how. No zoo or movie can compare to being hours out in the wild and seeing the animals in their domain. And even when you’re not seeing them the country speaks to you with a raw stillness and pressurized life. You seen life at its basic design, with the animals and people there. Do what you’re good at. Survive the day. Eat well if possible but be grateful if you anything at all. You won’t find nicer people than there, hands down.

I took over 10,000 photos that trip and somehow when I get the chance to go through them it still doesn’t feel like enough! It was a dream trip with experiences and new friends I will cherish for the length of my life. Needless to say, I can’t wait to go back and am forever grateful I had the opportunity to go. Here are a few of my favorite images from my trip to Africa, (South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe).

Which one is your favorite? (Sorry so many, if it takes a bit to load, I couldn’t cut the selection to less!)

Be Well and Go Far!

-Braun

Hello Everybody from the Land of the Norwegians & home of the Vikings! I’m writing you NORTH OF THE ARCTIC CIRCLE! CRAZY! Since I got a spot of wifi while we are ported  I thought I’d share a few rough edited photos of the trip.  Hope you are all well, warm and safe. Cheers

-Braun

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The nerd world stopped for a moment when it came to light that photo community app Instagram will now have the option to sell it’s users images. WHAAAAAT?? The free social media photo community & app, recently bought by Facebook and that has surpassed twitter on activity, sell my photos?!  My heart sank a bit and Pat Green’s “All the good things fade away” started playing in my head. I’ve grown to really love Instagram, not as a photography taking app but as an online community! I’ve discovered some great photographers, connected with some amazing people that we share cool things in common (Airstream!), and even gotten jobs from it! YUP! So after much debating here is my mindset!

BTW I AM NOT A LAWYER, SO DON’T KILL ME IF YOU DON”T LIKE MY THOUGHTS. Please know, as a professional photographer that makes his living from it nothing bothers me more than others making money off my creativity.

Couple things to remember or do.

1. DEFENSE! STOMP! STOMP! DEFENSE! If the image is one you really feel like you should protect you can mark your images with great apps like BLENDER or OVER.    I’ve actually started doing this with some of my images I post because sadly I’ve found people steal them on instagram, twitter, and facebook. The Screen Grab is nothing new folks. People and I guess companies could crop that out but that would deplete the (already) low resolution image. If it comes off as a hassle the more inclined to look elsewhere it will be. Yes I know it’s a pain but it’s an answer to a problem.

2. Simply Put, if you are especially proud of the image and are extremely protective of it, OR if it is a professional one don’t put it on there! Nobody is making you do it! Keep it on your portfolio site or google + (which does not have the legal jargon allowing them to sell your images) (Who uses google+ though)

3. “lawyers often draft overly broad language to permit future business opportunities that may never arise” (from the link above). Not saying they won’t ever but what is the REAL chance you will become the new face of instagram or whatever company. And how much are they really making off of my little image. If this goes real deal big it will make instagram the largest stock photo website in the world. Lots of options means lesser prices. If fb instagram makes $1 off my low res square photo I can live with that since I’m using their free service. I look at my daily adventures and my “WORK” as different pieces. Giving somebody an insight to you as a creative is never a bad thing. All in all somebody making millions off MY iphone photos is pretty unlikely in my opinion.

4. The God theory, I once exclaimed social media to a company’s executives like this, “If God gave you the option of A. To have tools to share info or your creativity with people all over the world” or B. TO NOT have these tools, which would you choose??? Everybody said A. Share your creativity! You can keep your photos for yourself but you are only limiting your impact. In the business world they call this P.R. The choice is yours.

5. FINALLY! Please ask yourself in the end , Facebook, twitter, Instagram whatever other place you hang out, are closing these accounts and ending the community you have built worth the slim chance somebody uses one of your images ??? I can’t speak for you but the juice is worth the squeeze for me.  I love seeing my friends daily adventures or travels! I love seeing what people are up to and where they find beauty! They have constantly inspired me and pushed me. I’ll take the risk.

We may have to evolve our mindset with social media but is that really surprising in our capitalistic society. Free services have to be paid for some how. They changed, so can we. I know it’s not convenient but don’t let them ruin the party! Cheers!

What are your thoughts?

-Braun

In my first blog post announcing this project, I mentioned I would be sharing my interviews & videos of some very cool guests of my Airstream Journey.  Who knows what mischief us rule breakers are gonna get into! I’m honored they will be joining me.

My first guest list are some of my visual creative buddies that I will be joining up for stretches of the Airstream journey. All of these guys are top level professionals in the photography video industry.  MANY MORE TO ANNOUNCE SOON! If you don’t know their amazing work, please check out the link on their names.  CHEERS!

(Alphabetical order)

August Bradley – Hasselblad Master Winner.  Major Photographer and Director. Fashion, Glamor, Portrait.  Jedi

Douglas Sonders – Mover Shaker.  Commercial Photographer & Director. Portrait, Automotive. Jedi

Pratik Laik – Professional Retoucher. Community Leader. Fashion, Glamor. Jedi

Robert Latorre – Great Photography Mentor of mine. Commercial Photographer & Director. Engineering Visionary. Jedi

Vincent Laforet – Pulitzer Prize Winning Photographer. Superb Director & DP. Gear Master. Industry Legend. Jedi

Be sure and subscribe by email or rss at the top right, and/or subscribe to my facebook to keep up with the transformation process and adventures of my Airstream!

See you soon!  Have Fun!

Is Photography dead or has it just evolved? This infographic is too cool not to post. What do you think?  Do you consider Phone photos….photography?

Thx to source Fstoppers

Photo A Day Challenges are big on Instagram, which I love seeing what every comes up with for the day’s photo mission. When you think strategic with a specific theme in mind it completely changes the experience and in my mind makes you sharper.  Can you rise to the challenge of this list?! Send me the links of your photos, let’s compare!    add me on Instagram @BrianBraun or FB!

When I’m shooting I like gear, and usually a lot of it. But a good photographer knows you don’t need all that every time. Most of the world’s most famous and iconic photographs are shot with just a camera and natural light. Here are some of my recent work with just natural light and tips to help you when working with it.

1. Magic Hours. Usually the first and last hour to hour and half before sunrise/sunset. At this time the light is relatively even so you can shoot and not have to worry about a bunch of harsh shadows. NOTE! Scouting and prepping is important with this because the good light will fade very very fast. 15 minutes during this window will really change the looks of your photo.

2. Clouds are your friend! Anything you can get to diffuse the direct sun is good when only shooting in natural light.

3. Find some shade!  This will give you even light that you can expose for without a ton of shadows.

4. Eyes, When shooting in natural light I typically like to expose for the eyes. This is just a personal preference but I find that if I have great color in the eyes the photograph connects.

5. Play.  Don’t be afraid to experiment. Play with the sun right behind your subject….let the background blow out, you don’t have to get every detail out of your shots.

6. Reflector. So many really high end portrait and fashion shots are done with just the sun and a big reflector. Get a friend, intern or assistant to hold a reflector to fill your subject’s face with light and you’ll have a beautiful photo. Takes some practice though.  Have fun!

This writer Buzz Sawyers I shot for his upcoming book…. SHUTTERBUG.

Photokina is probably the world’s coolest (and biggest) photography event. All the big manufacturers debut new gear to the world…and oh does this photography world drool in anticipation. If you follow my work you know that I use Profoto lights as often as I can when it comes to projects. They were the literally the first lights I ever rented and have been hooked on their fantastic quality ever since, (Yes I have tested others)…they are purely in reliable in terms of simply turning on, firing and color output. A lot of other brands start turning a shade of green after shooting for a while….deal breaker for advertising photographers.

This year has been pretty amazing and a BIG highlight in my career for me personally was to be featured on their blog a few times for my photo shoots. So I can’t tell you how blown away I was when they asked me if my photo of the McLaren  could go in the Profoto Photokina booth! To be included on the list of the AMAZING Photographers that also have photo’s in the booth is pretty mind blowing. These are the best of the best and many are personal hero’s of mine. To say the least I am honored! Profoto put together a Showreel to debut all their photographers and their photos which will hang in the booth. Check them out!