Brandon’s Photo History
I started my journey in 1999 when my uncle loaned me some older film camera equipment. Everything was metal, the lenses threaded onto the camera body like a bolt, and the only thing the battery powered was the internal light meter. I knew nothing, but I enjoying taking pictures. Since that time I have gain mountains of both knowledge and experience. It seems a shame to keep it all to myself rather than letting people know my experience, so I decided to do a brief summary of some of the different kinds of things I’ve done over the years that have brought me to where I am now.
1999
I was stationed in Pensecola FL, and had my hands on my first real camera setup. A 35 mm metal film camera with screw on lenses. And only a internal light meter. No education at all!
1999-2000
Now stationed at North Island NAS on Coronado Island, CA. Here’s I learned from a local professional the basics, and added some filters to my toolbox. I also studied and became a Navy Photographer’s Mate. Then because of my Aircrew training, I was sent thru SERE School, given a TS/SCI clearance, and sent to Brunswick, ME.
2000-2004
While at NAS Brunswick, my experience was not as much with my craft as much as it was with various equipment. My primary tasking was as an operator aboard a special projects P-3 aircraft. But I purchased a Nikon N90, as well as one of the first Nikon Coolpix cameras. In my military capacity, I worked with the Nikon D100, Canon 10D, and a Kodak professional digital camera that I don’t remember the name of. But I did have fun photographing friends and some kicking trips in the Appalachian Trails.
2004
I learned an important lesson in life: NEVER tell God where you won’t go. I did that on my way up to Maine, and after that God sent us to Maryland/DC, the exact place I said I’d never take orders! I was stationed at the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI), where I started an entirely new level of experience in photography. But it started with temporary orders to Fort Meed where for four months I when thru the joint services Multi-Media school, getting a whole lot of education.
2004-2007
This period of time concluded my time in military service. Not only did I really learn my craft, but also worked with some chemical processing machines, medium format cameras with a digital backings, virtual background systems, and had access to more training than you could dream of! In this capacity I photographed everything from routine events (awards, re-enlistments, retirements, changes of command, etc.), to diplomatic events and functions, to maintenance documentation, and stock imagery creation. I even learned about creating videos with DSLR’s. I’d say my most interesting experience was the one day of autopsy photography I was able to do at Dover AFB.
PPA Certification
I now have forgotten exactly which year it was, but I believe it was during this time that I earned my certification as a Professional Photography with Professional Photographers of America. It consisted of both a written test and a submitted body of work. At the time, not an easy thing to accomplish, but I did it first time. From there I attended numerous workshops and Imaging Conventions where I just continued to explode my knowledge.
Washington DC School of Photography
It was also during this time period that I also earned a degree in photography with the Washington DC School of Photography. There was a great deal I knew already, and yet so much more I had to learn, but this school helped solidify things for me and took me to a new level. There were so many classes and workshops to give so a variety of knowledge and experience. And doing it with others was just a joyous experience.
New Zealand Embassy
Because of my diplomatic work with ONI, I was picked up on the side by the New Zealand Embassy to come and photograph one of their annual events. It was a lot of fun, and a privilege, and I enjoyed it each year till we moved to Tennessee.
Weddings
In 2005 I did my first paid wedding. I actually wasn’t looking to start a business at the time, but it launched me into the business world. I started Brandon Malone Photography, and we continued weddings till we did our last one in October 2013.
MD High School Rodeo Association
In 2014 we had the pleasure of spending the day capturing the MD High School Rodeo Association in their first year. It’s was action packed and a lot of fun. It put my action skills to the test. But those kids where amazing.
Reign Model Management
I forget the years, but it was for about a three year period that I worked with Reign Model Management to photograph their models. This was my introduction into and experience with the fashion world. This was by far my favorite type of photography. Not only did we photograph models in all types of locations and studio sets, but we also got to know designers, watched shows, and even photographed fashion shows. I gained a lot of experience with location lighting.
Baltimore Blast Cheerleaders
2008-2010 we worked for the Baltimore Blast Cheerleaders. We did individual photos for them for their website, captured them at games, and created their swimsuit calendars. And during one year, the coordinator also had the Baltimore Mariners Cheerleaders, and so we captured them one season as well.
Various Education
We remained in Maryland till we relocated to Tennessee in 2015. While in Maryland I took tons of opportunities to educate myself.
Tons of videos and articles from PPA and others.
PPA’s Imaging Conventions where they have workshops on everything you can think of.
PPA’s week long workshops. I did two of them.
Photo Vision
Sarah Petty courses
Individual day long courses and workshops
Thru these various means I learned business skills, location and studio lighting skills, posing techniques, and products. I learned how to capture boudoir, weddings, sports, fashion, video, and portraits.
2015: Move to Tennessee
We actually started the journey to TN in 2013. God had revealed he was closing things down for us in MD, and about to move us to TN. He even provided everything along the way so that I can in no way claim any credit for the move. But in short, we purchased our property finally end of 2013, started building our studio on the property in 2014, and then finally fully moved in Jan 2015. Our goal was to launch a boutique portrait business in our area. However God had other plans for us here.
2015
Our first year here was a lot of settling in experiences that lasted a couple of years. Our studio was up and running, we were reaching out and getting people to test us, while doing a bunch of fun personal projects. We did senior portraits, fashion shoots, portrait parties, fitness, boudoir, etc. We even brought our own horses into the studio and did pictures of them. We tried all kinds of things and put ourselves in all kinds of places. But none of these were God’s plan for us.
Volume Based Work: Into to Tennessee Photo Co LLC
I think it was 2017 when at an Imaging Convention I decided to sit in on a volume-based sports photography class that changed things for me. We set things up and saw a huge return in the first year. So from there we created Tenn Photo Co LLC to separate from Brandon Malone Photography. One for volume, and the other for boutique. We continued sports, added schools, and created everything we needed for other areas such as dance and pageant as well, to include sample works and products. But again, this wasn’t God’s plan for us.
Real Estate & Architectural Photography
In the fall of 2015 God dropped the last thing I’d ever think of into my lap…real estate photography. I knew nothing about it! But it was practically handed to me from above. Over the next two years we continued to learn more, and develop and grow a thriving business in real estate. Then eventually we dropped everything else, dropped BMP and moved solely to TNPC, and now do nothing but real estate and architectural photography.
Today
Tennessee Photo Co LLC is one of the most sought after provider of real estate photography services in our area of Middle TN. We also are the first photography company to join UCAR back in Jan 2017, thanks to the support of some great agents. We enjoy hundreds of clients every year, and have partnered with others to help keep up with the demand. We have a local dedicated retoucher and second photographer, a videographer/drone operator/photographer, and additional drone operator. And thanks to one of our many loyal clients (Honest Abe Log Homes), we have the privilege of having dozens of published photos in national log home magazines, to include three cover images! This continues to be and fun and rewarding journey, but I don’t claim any credit for it. It all comes from God. I’m just along for the ride.
