Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Buck.
Hi Brooke, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised on a farm in northwest KS and grew up with a camera in my hand. I used my mom’s digital camera to take pictures at every family event, harvest, and all the small memories in between. My family has always been supportive of those pictures and I got so much joy out of printing them off and gifting them. Santa Claus decided I was extra nice in 2010 and brought me my first DSLR camera. That really made me feel official, so I did what any 14-year-old would do and created a Facebook Page. My friends and family began asking me to capture their kiddos, weddings, and families shortly after (which is shocking that people trusted me as a child!) So much of my experience is because of my family and community members. The support they showed me as I grew up and that they continue to give me is very humbling! Since I went to college in Hays, which is not far from my hometown, my clients found me through word of mouth and social media. Fast forward 3 years and I moved to Kansas City for graduate school. I made more investments in my business to upgrade my gear and enroll in photography mentorships and online classes. I finally mastered my editing and developed my niche, which is weddings, couples, and families. These past couple of years I launched my website and print shop, which has been very exciting and rewarding, as well as fuels my creative energy.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I like to think that overall, it really has been a smooth road for me simply because of the amazing support I received as an adolescent and continue to receive now from my clients. I have some clients that have been asking me to take their photos since I was 16 years old! The loyalty and trust in me they have is the best compliment.
With that being said, there have of course been challenges that I have had to overcome. The main situation that stands out for me was actually my husband and I’s own wedding. I learned a tough lesson about the impact of customer service and what can happen when you book a vendor that you connect with visually, but not emotionally. Our photographer ended up telling us the night before our wedding that she wasn’t coming and that she was sending two of her friends to cover the day.
We refused to let such a disappointing and shocking thing impact how much fun we had and how present we were with each other on our wedding day and made the decision to put our wedding clothes back on the next weekend to take our own formal portraits. Even though it’s not perfect, the photos we took ourselves are so special and meaningful to us. We decided to focus on the positives and how many people really stepped up to help.
We ultimately weren’t treated kindly by the original vendor or the replacement photographers she sent. We patiently waited for months to see what the photos would look like. Unfortunately, many special moments were missed and just overall not what we hoped for from the person responsible for capturing our day. It was tough to swallow that someone could so nonchalantly treat their clients like that. Instead of dwelling, I really tried to dive deeper into my own business and how I can avoid that at all costs. I now have a contingency plan in place that will walk my husband and sister into how to take care of my clients in the event that I am unable to myself. It also just brought even more awareness to the client experience and how to ensure that no matter what, my clients feel well taken care of and happy.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My approach is based on storytelling. I aim to capture raw human emotion and authentic memories. I live for those in-between moments not only on wedding days but during family and couple sessions as well. Those moments are priceless and it takes intentionality from a photographer to capture them. I truly care about the whole session and the entire wedding day, not just those beautiful scenes. I value who you are and try to make you feel like your best so I can truly document this season of your life in the most beautiful and timeless way. I facilitate that by giving movement-based prompts and open-ended directions.
In my opinion, photography represents more than capturing and delivering beautiful images. The client experience entails so much more than that. I want people to rave about the way I treated them and how much fun they had during our time together. One way that I like to think about this on wedding days is that the decorations, dresses, and vibes the bride chooses for her day become my favorite too. My style and taste are set aside because it’s not about me. I am there to serve a couple and capture their best day. Without that kind of mentality, artists are thinking more about themselves and their creative portfolio.
So many people have told me I would eventually need to pick between photography and occupational therapy, but I think the combination is what makes me unique. Working as a pediatric occupational therapist has really helped the interpersonal portion of running a photography business. During family sessions, I am better able to observe families and recognize when kiddo needs to move around, when to distract them with something fun, and how to prevent what every family is worried about during their family photos (a meltdown!) I love incorporating the kiddo’s interests and encouraging play during our sessions to really capture the family and child in the most authentic way.
What were you like growing up?
My childhood memories and stories are so fun to share with my friends that were raised in cities and bigger areas. Living on a farm is a story in itself, but being raised in a small town is one of the biggest reasons I am who I am today. In a town of 250 people, you truly do know everyone. I developed a sense of work ethic at a young age and really wanted to make my community proud. I carried that drive and determination with me during school, sports, and with my photography. I remember feeling so motivated by making my teachers, coaches, and family proud. When my family experienced grief, loss, or hardship, our entire community was there to help us back up. When my family had something to celebrate, our community was the first to join us in the fun. That is something that I will always admire and appreciate about small towns.
I have always been very outgoing, bubbly, and busy, even as a child. A lot of things I loved then I still love now: helping others, spending time with friends and family, and being a hype girl. I think my current aesthetic (western boho) stems from growing up in a rural area. I love spicing up western elements with boho textures and fun accessories and when I get to work with people that have the same vibe, I find myself having the best time of my life!
Pricing:
- Family Packages: Starting at $400
- Wedding & Engagement Packages: Starting at $3200
- Couples Packages: Starting at $400
- Maternity & Newborn Packages: Starting at $400
Contact Info:
- Email: brookebuckphoto@gmail.com
- Website: http://brookebuckphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brookebuckphoto/?utm_medium=copy_link
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063680582765
- Other: https://brookebuckphotography.com/shop
