Daily Inspiration: Meet Brandon Green

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Green.

Sometime in 1997, I moved to Kansas City to work as an Avid editor for a production company called Take Two. One evening as I was working late to meet a deadline, my house was burglarized. Eventually, I received an insurance check for my stolen property. It was more money than I had ever had in my life at one time. Since I would never be able to replace the stolen things, I decided to use that money to take a trip. I had never traveled and wanted to see how far I could get from my front door in Kansas City. I spun the globe and found India and Nepal. Taj Mahal and Mount Everest, here I come. I landed back in KC after that 4-week trip to India, Singapore, and Nepal completely changed. I knew I had to get out of the dark edit suite, get back into production, and experience more of the world. I wanted to tell my version of stories with a camera.

I quit my job and moved to Los Angeles; this was when life went fast forward. I connected with an old friend from college who was an associate producer for an LA-based production company. The producer was Luke Ellis. Luke was working on the Modern Marvels series for The History Channel; he hired me for my first national network shoot. At that moment, I became a Director of Photography and began defining and realizing my vision. Immediately we began traveling the world filming Modern Marvels. This was nothing short of a blessing. We visited and filmed in so many amazing locations. While taking in all these incredible experiences, I realized I could do this job from anywhere. So, I left my tiny studio apartment near the beach, the craziness of LA, and moved back to Kansas City. The midwestern lifestyle was just more suited to me.

In 2001, I founded EvergreenImages, LLC, which continues today. I’ve been able to travel with so many amazing clients and film every kind of story I could have ever imagined. I have written, produced, filmed, and edited 2 independent documentaries that are close to my heart. I cannot imagine what other job I could have stayed in for so many years. My journey has given me many cherished, heartfelt human connections. I am thankful and humbled and cannot even begin to count all my blessings.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a challenging road. It scares me to this day when the calendar appears empty, and I wonder why. Somehow, the next project always appears. Frequent leaps of faith are required. My first Kansas City mentor and employer, Teri Rogers, had to encourage me to stay on the path when I thought I couldn’t. She told me something I’ll never forget: “You must get through the first two years when you start a business. Those are the hardest times, and they will shape everything you do.” She was correct.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Simply put: I am a cameraman. As the Director of Photography I’m tasked with creating the look of a television show, film, or video. Lighting design, camera angles, and equipment selection are part of what a “DP” does. I enjoy telling stories with a camera., so documentary-style projects keep me invigorated. Finding a new or unique way to approach any project is challenging and what keeps it fun. There is electricity that happens when you work with amazing producers, directors, and crew members who all want to “do good work.”

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Any success I may have had is owed to all those who selflessly taught me, wholeheartedly encouraged me, generously hired me, and completely trusted me.

• My Mom taught me how to balance books and run the business that is essentially me.
• My Dad and Grandpa taught me how to work hard. No matter how long the hours and how dirty the job, whatever you are doing, put your heart into it completely.
• My Uncle Spencer and Aunt Connie taught me that traveling was not to be feared but to be embraced.
• Roger Hess and Teri Rogers, my bosses in the 1990s, set me on the path that showed me what higher-level storytelling through video and film production could be.
• Brad Cox taught me what it was to be a professional editor. This skill ultimately made me much more understanding and thoughtful as a director of photography.
• My family and friends have always lifted me and encouraged me. Sometimes when I even doubted myself.
• Countless strangers, acquaintances, travel partners, producers, and clients have lifted my spirit, inspired me, and helped make innumerable shots, scenes, shows, and projects possible.

All the people listed above (and the many not listed) have my eternal gratitude. I could never have done it without every single one of them.