Tell us a little bit about yourself:
My name is Brandon Addis, and I am a native to a small town in northeast Georgia, named Tiger. My town has a four-way stop and around 1800 inhabitants. Growing up in a small town, I learned a lot about knowing those around you and building strong and meaningful relationships. After college I relocated an hour south to Gainesville, Georgia. I reside in the downtown area with my partner and enjoy in partaking in locally held events in the downtown area and learning my local area with its history.
What made you get into photography?
Early on, really even before I realized what I was getting into, I thoroughly enjoyed capturing prints of beautiful structures, as architecture has always fascinated me. I started capturing prints for ideas of my dream home, and then it spread into the joy of appreciating the beauty that mankind has created with their own hands. I began capturing shots of historic districts in the downtown area of Augusta, Georgia. The intrinsic and awe inspiring detail of the arts and crafts era amazed me, and I felt a sense of recording and archiving our beautiful history with my own camera, saving it for future generations to come. It later evolved into capturing the beauty in which we all at times miss with the busy hustle and bustle of life.
Where does your passion for art come from?
Growing up in a small town, I remember the members of my community that took the time to speak and educate the public on who’s who of the community, and how we arrived to who we are today. Those individuals inspired me to preserve our present and our past through photography. In any town or city you travel through, one can observe the past being erased for a new big-box store or the next “big thing”. It saddens and scares me that future generations may not know what made their home town what it is today. Capturing a print freezes time in a way that one can visualize and reflect where they came from.
What made you decide to sell your photographs?
Over the years my friends have told me that my work was great, but the moment that I wanted to share my work came from a different source. I was visiting my partner’s family, and his mother started discussing my work and the amazing talent that I had. She told me that it would be sad to see my work not to reach others and be an inspiration to them. She also mentioned how rewarding it would be to have my work available to others for inspiration and to reflect on positive memories. One of my major drivers in life is to know that I have impacted others, in a positive way. I want to know that when I am long gone that I have left a positive mark on other’s lives. One of my recent sales is to an individual that recalled spending time with a friend on the very location that I captured a shot. The fulfillment that I received from being able to send a print to that customer was very amazing and empowering. That opportunity drives me to have my work available.
What’s your favorite piece of work that you have created? Why?
My absolute and all-time favorite is “Connector”. I made a trip to beautiful Chattanooga, Tennessee and was in awe by the amazing historical pedestrian bridge connecting the downtown area of Chattanooga. I was dealing with a few things in my life, and the moment that I saw the bridged it signified a sense of connection and strength for me. Capturing that shot has impacted my life in more ways than one. It came to me at a crossroad in my life, and gazing into the print drove me the way that I needed to go to do better for myself and others. Seeing that print, which is hanging in my workspace, is always a reminder of strength, prosperity, and a reminder that patience always makes the ride of life worthwhile and promising a reality in my life. The bridge was doomed for demolition and abandonment for quite a while and simply hung on until someone saw the potential behind it, and now it’s a treasure to the community.
Describe a real-life situation that inspired you?
When I first registered with Etsy, I put a few prints in my shop, and wasn’t really taking it seriously. After a couple of weeks, a customer contacted me in regards to a piece that I had available. Her best friend was moving, and that very print captured their special place to hang out and spend time together. She was thrilled to have found it, and needed the print very quickly... her friend was leaving the state in less than a week. It was a very emotional time for her, and I was able to upsize the print for her and have the print delivered to her in enough time for her to give it to her best friend. The process touched my heart and I know that my piece is one that will forever be treasured with them. From that moment on, I was inspired and driven to get my work “out there” in hopes of enriching other’s lives.
What are your goals for the future, both work wise and life?
My vision is to be available for others and provide meaningful works of art that enriches lives. As far as work, I want to find a job one day that is a little less demanding and frees up time for my art, family, and friends. I envision an old farmhouse with a garden with plenty of space to invite friends and family to wind down and enjoy the simple things in life, which are most important.
Do you have any tips or inspiring words for others?
Be patient. It is simply the hardest thing to do, but the most rewarding in the end. I know that when the right customer comes along, the print that they select has a meaning to it for them, and that alone is the most rewarding accomplishment for me. Simply knowing that someone found a treasure with yourself is one of life’s greatest blessings.
Do you admire and artists/Photographers? (famous or not!)
I am inspired by the local artists. I believe that some of the most beautiful work created comes from everyday people, even someone down the street.
What is your favorite...
Color: Blue
Animal: Freshwater Angelfish
Season: Spring
Movie: Working Girl
Book: Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People
Visit Brandon
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/FrozenTimePhoto
**Readers use coupon code - 30offsale - for 30% off of anything in the shop
Early on, really even before I realized what I was getting into, I thoroughly enjoyed capturing prints of beautiful structures, as architecture has always fascinated me. I started capturing prints for ideas of my dream home, and then it spread into the joy of appreciating the beauty that mankind has created with their own hands. I began capturing shots of historic districts in the downtown area of Augusta, Georgia. The intrinsic and awe inspiring detail of the arts and crafts era amazed me, and I felt a sense of recording and archiving our beautiful history with my own camera, saving it for future generations to come. It later evolved into capturing the beauty in which we all at times miss with the busy hustle and bustle of life.
Where does your passion for art come from?
Growing up in a small town, I remember the members of my community that took the time to speak and educate the public on who’s who of the community, and how we arrived to who we are today. Those individuals inspired me to preserve our present and our past through photography. In any town or city you travel through, one can observe the past being erased for a new big-box store or the next “big thing”. It saddens and scares me that future generations may not know what made their home town what it is today. Capturing a print freezes time in a way that one can visualize and reflect where they came from.
What made you decide to sell your photographs?
Over the years my friends have told me that my work was great, but the moment that I wanted to share my work came from a different source. I was visiting my partner’s family, and his mother started discussing my work and the amazing talent that I had. She told me that it would be sad to see my work not to reach others and be an inspiration to them. She also mentioned how rewarding it would be to have my work available to others for inspiration and to reflect on positive memories. One of my major drivers in life is to know that I have impacted others, in a positive way. I want to know that when I am long gone that I have left a positive mark on other’s lives. One of my recent sales is to an individual that recalled spending time with a friend on the very location that I captured a shot. The fulfillment that I received from being able to send a print to that customer was very amazing and empowering. That opportunity drives me to have my work available.
What’s your favorite piece of work that you have created? Why?
My absolute and all-time favorite is “Connector”. I made a trip to beautiful Chattanooga, Tennessee and was in awe by the amazing historical pedestrian bridge connecting the downtown area of Chattanooga. I was dealing with a few things in my life, and the moment that I saw the bridged it signified a sense of connection and strength for me. Capturing that shot has impacted my life in more ways than one. It came to me at a crossroad in my life, and gazing into the print drove me the way that I needed to go to do better for myself and others. Seeing that print, which is hanging in my workspace, is always a reminder of strength, prosperity, and a reminder that patience always makes the ride of life worthwhile and promising a reality in my life. The bridge was doomed for demolition and abandonment for quite a while and simply hung on until someone saw the potential behind it, and now it’s a treasure to the community.
Describe a real-life situation that inspired you?
When I first registered with Etsy, I put a few prints in my shop, and wasn’t really taking it seriously. After a couple of weeks, a customer contacted me in regards to a piece that I had available. Her best friend was moving, and that very print captured their special place to hang out and spend time together. She was thrilled to have found it, and needed the print very quickly... her friend was leaving the state in less than a week. It was a very emotional time for her, and I was able to upsize the print for her and have the print delivered to her in enough time for her to give it to her best friend. The process touched my heart and I know that my piece is one that will forever be treasured with them. From that moment on, I was inspired and driven to get my work “out there” in hopes of enriching other’s lives.
What are your goals for the future, both work wise and life?
My vision is to be available for others and provide meaningful works of art that enriches lives. As far as work, I want to find a job one day that is a little less demanding and frees up time for my art, family, and friends. I envision an old farmhouse with a garden with plenty of space to invite friends and family to wind down and enjoy the simple things in life, which are most important.
Do you have any tips or inspiring words for others?
Be patient. It is simply the hardest thing to do, but the most rewarding in the end. I know that when the right customer comes along, the print that they select has a meaning to it for them, and that alone is the most rewarding accomplishment for me. Simply knowing that someone found a treasure with yourself is one of life’s greatest blessings.
Do you admire and artists/Photographers? (famous or not!)
I am inspired by the local artists. I believe that some of the most beautiful work created comes from everyday people, even someone down the street.
What is your favorite...
Color: Blue
Animal: Freshwater Angelfish
Season: Spring
Movie: Working Girl
Book: Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People
Visit Brandon
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/FrozenTimePhoto
**Readers use coupon code - 30offsale - for 30% off of anything in the shop
Great interview... very inspiring! Your work is really beautiful!
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