An Inspired Chat with Brendan McLoughlin

Brendan McLoughlin shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Brendan, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
What makes me lose track of time is when I am outside exploring with my camera. Simply sitting still while watching a Great Blue Heron while it stalks its prey, or looking at the stars as I make long exposure nightscapes. Time just becomes irrelevant when I am in the zone.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As a passionate landscape and wildlife photographer, what inspires me to take photos is an appreciation of the natural world. While I envision my photo plan, I notice the smallest fungi and the towering trees that make you feel small. I love to watch the birds that sing and soar, to the largest apex predators that growl and roar. I observe the stars that shine in pitch black night, to the full moon rise at twilight. For that is not all that inspires my inner light, it’s bringing awareness of natures plight, for what man cares for, can be shared for future generations, if done right.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I remember as a young boy, playing on a soccer team, being more interested in the birds flying overhead than what was happening in the game. Team sports were never really my thing. I was more interested in drawing, playing with LEGO, and exploring the forest in my backyard. I would spend my time climbing trees, inventing games and riding bicycles around the streets with friends. My first camera was a film camera that I would take photos of my LEGO creations and take to car shows, to photograph classic cars. The world tries to fit everyone into a box during education, whether pass or fail, college or university, smart or not. Creative people don’t like to fit in, they colour outside the lines and that bothers society.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of being disliked.
From a young age, I was bullied because I was different. I was short, and didn’t have the newest shoes, clothing, or trend that every other kid was into. I didn’t have lots of friends, making me less social, choosing to study in the library or draw, so I learned to entertain myself.
Not having people to identify with makes makes you create your own self image, but also makes you aware of wanting others approval.
I chose a safe college education in engineering and wanted to design cars. After graduation, life happens and I never followed that path, but I am happy where I am now.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am committed to working for myself as a photography coach and educator. I am currently writing a book on composition and learning to ‘see’ the world through a photographers lens. Using my own photography as examples for the reader to understand: what to look for, how to compose a scene, what tools and techniques to use, the various elements of design, and so on.
It is a daunting task, but each step is closer to being an author and to working for myself.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Start that business or side project now. No one is an overnight success. Every entrepreneur started with an idea, a passion, an obsession that drove them to create something, one day at a time. Simon Squibb asks people “What is your dream? Everyone has a dream.” Even though I have been working on my photography for years, which I have, it still feels like I have so much to learn, if I want to teach others and market myself. You just have to start building today. Your future self will thank you. Do it!

Contact Info:

Image Credits
All photos: Copyright Brendan McLoughlin Photography.

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