Meet David Brown

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to David Brown. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi David, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience—and the persistence that comes with it—were built through early hardships and the support of people who helped me keep fighting. When I was 14 and the oldest of five children, my dad left, which forced me to grow up fast. For a long time, I didn’t have much self-confidence. It wasn’t until my late twenties, through people who cared about me and believed in me, that I began to believe in myself. Even then, I carried the effects of a difficult home environment, and there were moments when I wasn’t sure I could keep going.

But I did. That persistence kept me moving forward and helped me come out the other side of whatever obstacles life presented. In my career selling scientific and technical solutions, I experienced real highs—and stretches of uncertainty. Several times I was out of work and didn’t know what was next. Those periods didn’t break me; they strengthened me. They taught me to stay in the game long enough for the next door to open—and they helped me finish my career on a high note.

Now, as I begin my next chapter, following my passion to create gallery-worthy art, I carry those lessons with me, along with a reminder I wear every day: a tattoo inspired by the late Jimmy Valvano. It’s the V Foundation logo, with his words beneath it: “Don’t give up—don’t ever give up!”

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Although I’ve photographed for many years, I’m now sharing the work more publicly as a fine-art photographer. My goal is to create images worthy of gallery walls, but just as at home in personal spaces—whether a residence, an office, or anywhere that reflects the owner’s vision. At its best, I hope my work offers quiet enjoyment, sparks curiosity, and deepens appreciation for the world we move through every day.

My passion is black-and-white architectural and landscape photography, though I’ll use color when it strengthens the story. Inspired by architectural marvels and the quiet grandeur of natural landscapes, my images live at the intersection of design and nature. I’m drawn to strong lines and shape, rich texture and bold contrast—and to those brief moments when light transforms the ordinary into something almost magical.

Professionally, I’m focused on building a sustainable fine-art practice and expanding where the work is seen. Recently, several of my images have been invited into juried exhibitions across the United States, which has been both validating and energizing. It’s a clear sign I’m on the right path, and it motivates me to keep creating, refining, and sharing what I see.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Be true to yourself
The most impactful progress I’ve made in my journey came when I realized I had more success once I stopped trying to be someone I wasn’t.

Advice: People appreciate and respect those who have the confidence to be themselves. Embrace YOU! Create art you believe in, and don’t chase likes or trends.

2. Learn from others
As an introvert, I’ve learned that stepping outside my comfort zone to seek guidance or ask for help has helped me grow. Surprisingly, those moments have also brought enjoyment.

Advice: Find mentors and peers you respect. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Push yourself to try new things.

3. Keep moving forward
Taking the first step can be a struggle, but I know I won’t get to where I want to go without that step—or the next, or the next.

Advice: Don’t be afraid of failure, because that fear is what brings inertia. Break big projects into small tasks and remember to reward yourself for progress made.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

My biggest obstacle right now is promoting my work in a way that consistently puts it in front of the right people; those who will connect with it and see its value. My career was built on outreach and selling, but promoting my own art requires a different kind of consistency, and I’m working to build that rhythm.

To overcome it, I’m focusing on a few clear steps: driving more traffic to my website (www.beholdphotographyllc.com), building a stronger social media presence, and moving my business plan out of my head and onto paper so I can execute it consistently.

I’ve already started by entering juried competitions and having images selected for exhibition at galleries across the United States. That has expanded my exposure and reinforced that I’m on the right path. Accepting this interview with Bold Journey is another step toward visibility. Next, I’m addressing my social media inertia by blocking time on my calendar and committing to at least one post per week to start. Once that routine is established, I’ll increase the cadence from there.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Artist Photograph by Dean Allman

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