Meet Dexter Brown

We were lucky to catch up with Dexter Brown recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dexter, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

My resilience came from my own drive to make something of myself. My deep desire to offer something valuable and be a success. That is what has allowed me to withstand many of the challenges I’ve faced.

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’m a portrait, headshot, and editorial photographer based in Los Angeles. I recently expanded my portfolio to include events, families, and weddings. As a Midwesterner born in Indiana, I pursued art and photography at Columbia College in Chicago. Being a portrait photographer has been incredibly rewarding. I get to meet diverse individuals from various backgrounds, gaining a glimpse into their lives and true selves as working creatives. I regularly collaborate with people across the entertainment industry, from up-and-coming talent to directors, writers, and occasionally, notable celebrities. Some of whom I admire and have been a fan of for years.

Dedication and hard work have allowed me to photograph high-profile public figures like Adam Sandler, The Office cast members, veteran actress Vivica A. Fox, and singer Cyndi Lauper. In college, I faced challenges compared to my peers who seemed to be furthering their photographic careers. I had my own struggles navigating college life, which I wasn’t fully prepared for. Coming from a college prep program, I expected to be fully equipped, but I felt like I was still playing catch-up with the pressure of living life in a specific order, as others seemed to be.

It wasn’t until much later in adulthood that I realized the importance of timing. Looking back on my college years, I understand the despair I felt when I saw others pursuing their life goals and feeling like they were unattainable. Now, I completely comprehend the meaning behind the phrase, “Your time will come.” Despite the accolades I’ve received, I haven’t reached the end of my journey, but I know now that the life and career I desire are indeed achievable.

What’s next for me? I’m working on an all new photographic series that I’ll start shooting later this year. It will be turned into a coffee table book and I think I have a name for it but will reveal it soon.

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?

Dedication, inspiration, and tough skin. I think it’s important to be dedicated. Invest in your craft. And I don’t just mean financially. Invest your time, no matter what other get-by job you have. No matter how many late hours you work. Always make time to practice your skill. Our passion is maintenance. Just like you have to dust and clean, you have to polish your art and constantly do something in that world so that you don’t lose sight. I know what it’s like to have a get-by job and be exhausted to the point that you have little ambition left. We have to fight that and push through. You also need to constantly be inspired. Whatever your field of choice is, surround yourself with people doing similar things as you. Go to events and involve yourself in the community that you’re artistically a part of. I am always inspired by the music I listen to, the movies I watch, and the places I go. Even the people I meet inspire me creatively. And lastly, tough skin. You can’t expect everything to happen overnight. There is going to be lots of disappointment. People have no idea how many talks died down from really cool clients I was intended to secure. It’s the way of the industry sometimes. There will be bumps in the road, but if you’re equipped with the dedication and inspiration, that will help arm you with all the tools you need to pick yourself back up and keep moving forward.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

I get on my computer and make music. I also eat.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dexterbrownphoto.com
• Instagram: @dexterbrownfoto

Image Credits

All images by Dexter Brown