Megan Brooke of Megan Brooke Photography
Newport Beach, California (hometown) | Alpine, Utah (residence)

FULLY FEATURED HERE

Born in Newport Beach and raised in Southern Orange County. 22 years old. self taught freelance photographer.

• A little Q & A with Megan
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• You’re originally from beautiful Newport, California. What prompted the move to Utah, away from the sandy beaches and California sun?
• my parents moved to Alpine, UT when i was 16, so i had no choice in the matter. after i graduated high school i talked my dad into buying me a canon rebel for my 17th birthday and began shooting anything i could, eventually leading me into shooting female models


• Is this your primary job? (if not, what else do you do?)
• i work full time as an office manager and shoot primarily on weekends and anytime i get a day off.


• You attended SLCC and studied photography. Tell us about SLCC. What type of school was this? Were your subjects always models and women? If not, what else did you photograph?
• SLCC was a great community college, and perfect for what i utilized it for. I only attended one photography course just to learn more about my camera, digital photography, and photo shop. I would shoot scenery, and family, but the majority of the time i would take pictures of my girl friends.


• Did you know this was what you wanted to do after high school?
• No. I wanted to pursue a singing career in country/ pop music. I’m still aspiring to to become that..along with many different interests.


• Most people don’t dream of growing up to be photographers, what was your original dream as a kid?
• As a kid i always thought i’d grow up to be a famous singer…just like many other little girls.


• You’ve been doing photography for approximately 5 years, and it definitely shows because you don’t only have models take shots with their face directed at the camera, but attempt to build a setting and mood. It’s stuff I absolutely enjoy, because it’s a lot more realistic and affords the viewer some imagination. Do you think it’s easier for women to work with women?
• Yes i definitely believe it’s easier for female models to work with female photographers.. not only do I understand some of the insecurities they may have, but every time i, myself, have shot with a female photographer, I have felt more comfortable and achieved a better turn out when it came to my pictures.


• What is your most prized piece of equipment for photography?
• probably my 24mm-70mm lens. i love it! =)


• What is the most painstaking part about your job?
• besides posing models that have never been in front of a camera before, I would say preparing before the shoot. Since i play the roles of hairstylest, make-up artist, and wardrobe stylist, on top of being the photographer..it’s exhausting. but well worth it ;)


• What is the most daring or experimental shoot that you’ve ever done that turned out great in your eyes?
• I was shooting at the Great Salt Lake with one of my favorite models, Victoria, and about thirty minutes into our shoot a severe thunderstorm came out of no where. We knew being in the water during lighting storms was not the smartest idea but i didnt want to waste the killer shots and amazing lighting i was getting because of the storm. Luckily for me, Victoria was as daring as i was, and we ended up with some stunning shots. the link is below:
  Click Here


• Who is the one model you enjoy working with most, and why?
• This is a toughie because i have worked with so many incredible girls, but i would have to say Victoria. Not only is she very easy to work with and has a great personality, but our first shoot together was also her first time in front of the camera and she blew me away..i had NO idea she had never modeled before.. she is a natural in front of the camera and she gave me some of the best images in my portfolio.


• For most people, being a photographer affords you the opportunity to be very close to models, but have you had any encounters/experiences you mind sharing with us that would never have happened if not for this type of networking?
• Again, working with Victoria. She recently got engaged and I was honored to shoot her engagement photos. I would have never gotten into the engagements and bridals genre if it weren’t for her. I will be shooting her bridals soon..so stay tuned ;)


• Does this line of work afford you the glamorous lifestyle you often depict?
• not really, and that’s by choice. Would i like to be well-known? sure. but I have never been the type of person to try to gain fame that way and would like my work to speak for itself.


• Whose work do you enjoy most outside of your own?
• I have always found Abbie Warnock’s photography to be inspiring and refreshing. Also, I love Satio Photography, I think Wendi is brilliant.


• Outside of photography, what is it that you do for fun? What are some of your hobbies?
• Believe it or not im quite in the introvert. I spent a lot of my free-time refining my photoshop skills and learning new techniques. Also, I sketch portraits & design gowns in my free-time and read mary higgins clark novels.


• You’re also really talented and relatively young compared to others in the industry. Do people hold that against you, or does your work more often than not, speak for itself?
• So far everyone i’ve met is suprised when they learn of my age. I’m flattered because that means, to me, my work speaks for itself. Age is just a number and am still learning about photography everyday.


• You’re not 25 yet, but what is it that you hope to achieve by that age?
• I hope to be half-way through my bachelors degree in business. As well as getting closer to finding a good seamstress to finally get my gown designs off paper and onto a model. Also, I hope to be more advanced and well-known in my photography.


• Why should models choose you for a shoot?
• Cuz’ me and my females are on the same page ;) I’m fun, im easy going, and I know how to have fun AND take pictures that will get both the model and i GREAT results!!

I’d love to thank Megan for giving me the opportunity to ask her some of these questions. I hope some of you out there will find an opportunity to work with her, as well as enjoy her amazing work.