We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brian Spann. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brian below.
Brian, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
My optimism comes from my wife and my pastor. My wife does an excellent job at keeping me balanced, and she shows great patience with me in helping me see things clearly, especially when things seem difficult. My pastor and I are brothers in the same cause to help humanity, so when we see difficulties we bounce info to and from one another along with positive thoughts about a situation regardless of how it looks. He always encourage me to see the best in things and people, and to speak positive outcomes regardless of how conditions may appear.
My optimism comes from my wife and my pastor. My wife does an excellent job at keeping me balanced, and she shows great patience with me in helping me see things clearly, especially when things seem difficult. My pastor and I are brothers in the same cause to help humanity, so when we see difficulties we bounce info to and from one another along with positive thoughts about a situation regardless of how it looks. He always encourage me to see the best in things and people, and to speak positive outcomes regardless of how conditions may appear.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I was a model for 20 years, while working in the healthcare industry for a total of 26 years. My interest in photography stemmed from modeling, but mainly from my childhood being photographed by my uncle, Joe Cutchins, a mortician in my hometown of Franklinton (Funkytown), NC. My uncle and I would be traveling and he would just pull over and tell me to pose by a stack of hay, in a creek, or some random area. This took place for many years and later became a great influence on my love for photography and modeling. During my modeling career I performed various runway shows in Florida, and also some print work, as well as some acting and voiceover.
I was a model for 20 years, while working in the healthcare industry for a total of 26 years. My interest in photography stemmed from modeling, but mainly from my childhood being photographed by my uncle, Joe Cutchins, a mortician in my hometown of Franklinton (Funkytown), NC. My uncle and I would be traveling and he would just pull over and tell me to pose by a stack of hay, in a creek, or some random area. This took place for many years and later became a great influence on my love for photography and modeling. During my modeling career I performed various runway shows in Florida, and also some print work, as well as some acting and voiceover.
While engaged, before marrying the love of my life, Sylvia Crawley-former WNBA star, she told me that instead of her hiring a photographer and consistently paying high rates for her products, we would just get a camera and I would learn to use it and photograph her fashion work and products; and she encouraged me to start my business as a photographer since I kept saying, “one day, I’m going to be a photographer.” I started my business part time during the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. I have been in business three years offering photography in headshots, family, pets, automobiles, products, commercial, animated graphic photography, virtual tours, real estate photography, and etc. April of 2023, I finished a large virtual tour & photography project of Beckham Creek Cave Lodge in Parthenon, Arkansas, which was featured on the Netflix series, “the World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals.” This project drew attention and got Spann Man Media upcoming work..
My specialty is animated photography and virtual tours. I also attend comicons, because I get to interact with cosplayers and just be a big kid again; and it also allows me to use my animated photography ability to work strongly in the comicon realm. My next project is to work with construction organizations and use my many certifications with the state of North Carolina to broaden my work.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Networking, collaborating, and serving was very impactful in my journey. Networking through the computer is one thing, but networking face-to-face is still a great value which cannot be replaced. Communication is divided in these three categories: 55% body language, 38% tone, and 7% words. If we only use computers for networking and emails, we may only get 7% of the people we contact; but when we interact face-to-face, we get the whole person; and I am not saying the other avenues are not good, but we should not depend solely on the shortcuts of a computer alone. Collaboration is greatly important because you have to learn how to work with others for one goal instead of being a Lone Ranger. If you remember, in the past, how banks, collaborated and merged. This kept people with jobs, as well as the banks staying in business . Sometimes there are people lose to you, who may have what you need if you just collaborate. By doing this you create a wonderful relationship and great products. Serving is the greatest quality, because it teaches humility, builds the other person and their brand, and it shows a great example of leadership.
Networking, collaborating, and serving was very impactful in my journey. Networking through the computer is one thing, but networking face-to-face is still a great value which cannot be replaced. Communication is divided in these three categories: 55% body language, 38% tone, and 7% words. If we only use computers for networking and emails, we may only get 7% of the people we contact; but when we interact face-to-face, we get the whole person; and I am not saying the other avenues are not good, but we should not depend solely on the shortcuts of a computer alone. Collaboration is greatly important because you have to learn how to work with others for one goal instead of being a Lone Ranger. If you remember, in the past, how banks, collaborated and merged. This kept people with jobs, as well as the banks staying in business . Sometimes there are people lose to you, who may have what you need if you just collaborate. By doing this you create a wonderful relationship and great products. Serving is the greatest quality, because it teaches humility, builds the other person and their brand, and it shows a great example of leadership.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
The Bible is the most important book throughout my life and development. There are so many nuggets that I use from the Bible, but one of the nuggets is that a man should be willing to be faithful over another man’s work. Another nugget is that the greatest among you would be your servant.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.spannmanmedia1.com
- Instagram: @SPANNMANMEDIA
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpannManMedia
Image Credits
Triangle Corporate Coach NC Weddings Magazine Tall Girls United
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