GABRIEL BROWN INTERVIEW

Photographer/Retoucher: Gabriel Brown / Chaotic Beauty Photography LLC @chaoticbeauty_photog

https://chaotic-beauty-photography.kavyar.site

Model: Kimberly Spicer @kimberspicer

Model/Makeup Artist: Celtic Beauty @a_celtic_beauty

Gabriel Brown is a visionary photographer who has mastered the art of storytelling through his lens. With a deep-rooted passion for capturing the essence of human emotion and the beauty in chaos, Gabriel's work transcends traditional boundaries. His signature style blends the glamour of meticulously curated portraits with the raw unpredictability of creative exploration, leaving a lasting impression on all who view his art. From his early fascination with cameras to his evolution as a studio and character portrait artist, Gabriel’s journey is as captivating as his images. In this interview, he takes us behind the scenes to share the inspiration, challenges, and creative processes that define his distinctive approach to photography.

How did you begin your journey into photography, and what drew you specifically to studio and character portraits?

I think my journey started when I was only 4 or 5 years old. I would see my mom shooting with her SLR camera and became fascinated with how focusing and zooming the lens would change whatever I was looking at. I became fully invested in it as an art form when I was about 15 and started taking photography classes in high school, learning about the concepts of depth of field, composition, and light and shadow, which ultimately led to earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in photography.

Studio and character portraits were just something that naturally spoke to me when it came to capturing emotions and creating a mood. I had originally been shooting street photography and candids, where you have no control over the scene and just have to observe and wait for the right moment. When I started working with people in the studio, I realized how much more you can create when you have control over the setting, and you can really tell a story your own way.

Your work blends the elegance of glamour with the unpredictability of chaos. How do you approach this juxtaposition in your compositions?

I embrace it. There is only so much that can be controlled in the creative process, so I fully expect there to be a lot of happy accidents when I start working on a new concept or lighting idea, especially if I don't fully understand how to go about doing it. The flip side is that there can be even more unhappy accidents that prevent me from capturing an image or a whole vision.

What inspires your creative vision when crafting portraits that tell a story or evoke deep emotions?

I think lighting plays the biggest role. When an idea comes to mind or I'm suddenly inspired by another photograph, it's really the finer details involving the light and shadows that stand out in my mind. The model really helps crystalize the overall idea, but crafting the story comes down to how to tell it, and the lighting is what does that.

Can you share a moment when a chaotic element unexpectedly enhanced a shoot's outcome?

When I first started using reflective material, specifically the silver mylar seen in a lot of my portfolio, I had a pretty narrow idea of what I wanted to create with it. But as soon as I turned the equipment on and saw how the light was bouncing all over the place, and how difficult it was to shape the material, I knew that I would just have to embrace it and hope for the best. It worked out so well in several shoots, and I still don't know exactly what I did in any of them.

Studio lighting and set design play a crucial role in your portraits. What’s your process for creating a compelling visual atmosphere?

Having a lot of space to work in is really the key element for me. It's extremely difficult, although not impossible, to shoot in a compressed environment. I like for myself and the models to feel comfortable, but the space also allows for the lighting and equipment to be placed, angled, and moved much more easily. Even though the final images tend to display a very tight composition, where there is the illusion of space, having an actual open environment helps with the mood.

On a technical level, I always approach it by employing the lighting one piece at a time, with a lot of test shooting. I move from focusing on the larger details, such as soft or hard light or lighting angles, to the absolute smallest, like the placement of the model's hand or how the lights reflect in their eyes.

Fashion and character photography often require collaboration. How do you balance your vision with the input of models, stylists, and designers?

I keep a pretty open mind to everyone's ideas, and trust is certainly key to the creative process. Even if I have a solid vision of what I want to do and how to do it from beginning to end, I'm always happy to shift a bit as long as it adds to the overall concept and doesn't involve abandoning the original idea or changing the whole concept right then and there. I've never been in a position where someone came to me with a fully fleshed out idea and I didn't want to do it, or where they didn't want to be a part of my own. But collaboration requires that everyone involved trusts one another with what their part will be.

“Beauty in Chaos” is a compelling theme. Can you share how you interpret this concept and how it influences your photographic style?

"Chaotic Beauty" came about when I was studying photography in college and found myself in a really deep headspace one day. I had been practicing macro photography and spending a lot of time looking at the extremely fine details of my photos, almost on a granular level. It got to the point where I wasn't even seeing the image anymore, just tiny points of light and color, and there was no discernible pattern. But as I visually zoomed out I started to see the image again. Ultimately, I realized that beauty can come from within a lot of things, especially when you don't initially see it.

What has been your most challenging shoot, and how did you adapt to achieve the desired results?

The most challenging shoot I did was just over a year ago with my wife, which is currently in my portfolio. We were trying to create a New Year's concept involving a lot of makeup, wardrobe, and a complex lighting scheme that I had never attempted before. I was basically trying to create a tunnel with reflective mylar, with my camera and a strobe pointed into one end, and my wife posed at the other end with a secondary strobe positioned behind her for fill light. The setup was tough, but persistence and adjustments led to some of my favorite images.

Are there any specific characters or themes you hope to explore in future projects?

I'd like to start exploring more complex lighting styles. I almost never use more than two lights at a time in the studio, but I'd love to step outside my comfort zone and experiment with more intricate setups.

What advice would you offer to emerging photographers looking to create their unique voice in the realm of fashion and studio portraits?

Don't ever consider yourself an expert in your craft; always strive to perfect it by practicing and refining it. Always remember your mistakes, especially if they end up working to your advantage. And don't ever think that better (expensive) equipment makes you a better photographer; it's just light and shadow – there is no right or wrong way to create it.

Gabriel Brown’s unique ability to capture the interplay of elegance and chaos in his photography speaks to his mastery of the craft and his deep understanding of storytelling through visuals. His dedication to continuous growth and his collaborative spirit set him apart as not just a photographer but an artist with a profound vision. As he continues to push the boundaries of creativity, exploring new techniques and narratives, Gabriel remains an inspiration to aspiring photographers and art enthusiasts alike. His journey reminds us that beauty truly can be found in the most unexpected places, and the stories we tell through art are as limitless as our imaginations.