art imitating life imitating art; meet Robert Brown

by Wendy Soloduik

King Township resident Robert Brown is following the flash bulbs and fulfilling his dreams. Since retiring from a sales position in the sign industry four years ago, Robert spends his days making photographic art out of life’s small moments and has never been happier.

In his twenties, Robert was an avid sports enthusiast and loved to travel. Although he wasn’t bitten by the camera bug until his thirties, Robert always carried a “dinky little camera” around with him, just in case.

“When I was younger, I travelled through Europe and Australia, and saw some amazing places. I keep an album of the pictures I took on my trips, but the photos don’t match the memories. I regret not documenting those moments the way I see them in my mind,” explains Robert.

Robert’s interest in photography became serious as he approached his thirties.

“I bought my first professional camera, a two and a quarter Mamiya, from a sports reporter I knew. He sold me the body with a few extra lenses for a great price, and the camera took amazing pictures. This is when I really started to get excited about photography,” explains Robert.

From that point, Robert began to ‘focus’ his skill set by attending numerous photography courses and workshops.

“I was producing a lot of work in those days, spending my free time taking portraits and getting my name out there,” Robert recalls. “Photography was quickly changing from a hobby to a passion.”

But the passion wasn’t going to pay the bills, and alas Robert was forced to keep his day job.

“I got busy, you know? The sign business was hopping and there wasn’t enough hours in the day to do everything I wanted. Taking pictures became less of a priority. In the long run however, I realized that I had to do what made me happy. I had never lost the urge to create beautiful photographs.”

After five years of planning, Robert hung his final sign out to dry, and retired.

“It was kind of like stepping out. I took a real risk letting go of a steady income. I’m still taking a huge risk. Thankfully my wife (Cindy) has supported my decision and we’re making it work together,” Robert said.

By word of mouth and through the development of his website (www.robertbrown.ca) Robert’s client base has grown substantially. His leap of faith forgiven.

Robert Brown Photography focuses on four areas of expertise: models, portraits, general photography and photographic art.

“By far my favorite type of pictures are the ‘artsy’ ones,” explains Robert. “They have what I call that extra dimension. My mantra is based on the quote;‘It is not photographing the great things, it’s the expression of great treatment over the small things that makes for great photos’. I think that’s really true.”

Robert also takes appointments for model shoots and family portraits, as well as event coverage and business photos. Robert books four to six weeks in advance.

Using professional equipment helps with the quality of Robert’s images, but so does his knowledge of retouching or ‘enhancing' a photo once it’s been shot.

“I always get asked if I can make someone look thinner,” Robert said, laughing, “And I can. I’m really good at retouching my pictures, something I taught myself. Sometimes it’s the most subtle enhancement that makes a photo really brilliant.”

Robert claims the key to an amazing photo is two-fold: capturing the raw material and editing it to perfection.

“Retouching isn’t always superficial. It can make a good photo great, and turn an incomplete photo into a keepsake. It doesn’t change the image, it enhances it,”
Robert explains. “Take a family portrait for example, I can add in absent family members, fix skin tones and remove blemishes. My customers are usually really pleased with the results.”

But perhaps what makes Robert Brown’s portraits so lovely, is his unique sense of composition. No matter the subject, Roberts portraits have the right balance of subject and surrounding making real moments seem like fantasy.

“I love beautiful pictures and always try to bring out the beauty in what I am photographing. Whether it’s a model or a landscape, I think ‘Is this capturing the beauty of this moment?’ and then I know I’ll get my shot,” said Robert.

Another huge influence on the quality of Robert’s work stems from the fact that he does not maintain a studio, but shoots on location. Varying light sources, backdrops and environmental influences make each of his portraits special. With no two shoots the same, Robert’s portraits are truly original pieces of art.

Robert has creative control of his art from the first snap to the last ‘frame’. He begins by posting the edited images to his website, for secure viewing by his customers. Once the photos have been selected, Robert prints them, and works with a framer to create a finished product (if the customer requires framing). Robert also offers his prints as
cards or as a canvas mount. The portraits are then hand delivered.

The photography of Robert Brown has been seen at: The
Schomberg Winter Festival, The Kettleby Bakery, and The Rose Gallery’s Art After Dark. Robert Brown is also the official photographer of the ‘Taste of The Danforth’, the Kettleby Fair and Art Society King (ASK).

For more information about Robert Brown Photography, please visit him online at www.robertbrown.ca

“It is not photographing the great things, it’s the expression of great treatment over the small things that makes for great photos.” – the mantra of Robert Brown