Today we share a particularly special interview with Meredith Brockington. If you have ever visited Sea Salt + Chambray before you are familiar with her work- she took our about photos and shared some of her work last week in this post. To see more of her portfolio you can visit her site, meredithbrockington.com. Meredith (pictured above on a trip to France) is an accomplished photographer and so much more. Today she shares how she became interested in photography, where she finds inspiration, and her advice for anybody curious about the world behind the lens. Thank you Meredith, for taking pictures for us, sharing your beautiful work on our blog, and giving us a peek into what you love and what you do!
Happy Monday! Blair
SS+C: What was the spark that started Meredith Brockington Photography?
MB: My aunt and uncle live just outside of San Francisco and are world travelers who document all of there explorations on film (now digital) and make extensive photo albums displaying their adventures. I was so captivated by their landscapes, detail shots, foodie images, and kitchie portraits of one another in waterfalls and hang gliding. It sparked a burning desire to work with the photographic medium. I spent a few weeks with a little point and shoot in San Francisco documenting silly flowers, building, street people when I was a sophomore in high school and it clicked. I knew it would be a life long love affair.
SS+C: How would you describe your photography style?
MB: Minimal, clean, ethereal, bright natural light. My style is primarily documentary and very detail oriented.
SS+C: What has been the most rewarding aspect of owning your own business?
MB: Clients. I love meeting new people and collaborating on projects. It’s always a joy to meet like-minded creatives that have a point of view and understand half of what I am talking about. Each wedding I shoot has it’s own style and flare and the editorial work, both personal and paid, is just the cherry on top of the cake.
SS+C: What were/are the most important elements to you when you set up your creative environment?
MB: I derive a lot of inspiration from a simple color palate. It influences everything. It’s like interior decorating– you pick your paint chips, then your couch and chairs, your rug, maybe some wall furnishings and details such as a succulents or a tripod lamp that really brings the room to life. The color palate tells me a story about the client; what they like for colors (duh) and what sort of mood they are going for. It also reflects their personality i.e. a bold palate for a boisterous, strong bride or a more autumnal palate for the fall lover who likes to bundle up in a chunky knit sweater, leggings and boots and sip a chai latte. My mind starts spinning and dreams up images that I know I would like to capture and it sort of organically happens from there.
SS+C: Where is the most exciting place your photography has taken you?
MB: I’ve had the experience of eating some ridiculous food from some very talented chefs– Hugos, 40 Paper, Grace, David’s to name a few. I am shooting my first destination wedding on the Hawaiian island of Kauai next May (the day before my 25th birthday eeee). To say I’m excited would be an understatement!
SS+C: How do you gather and process inspiration?
MB: I am an insta-holic. I am always checking out other artists work on Instagram and screen shot wayyyy too many images for inspiration. Travel always gets my creative juices flowing, especially architecture and street fashion.
SS+C: As a fellow Mainer, what is your favorite thing to do in Maine -or- what is your favorite season and why?
MB: My favorite season is any day that it is not snowing or bone chillingly cold. I am a Mainah, but I don’t have tough skin. As most New Englanders, I love the changing of the leaves and of course the summer months. Maine is incomparable. My favorite summertime activities are growing all my own food to can and store for the winter months, hiking, sunning, and picnics. In the fall, I love apple picking and evening fires.
SS+C: How has your style, aesthetic, and/or business changed since you first started?
MB: I had no point of view or any idea how to market myself when I first started. I’ve had more email addresses, Flickr accounts, random blogs and websites over the years than you can count on two hands, YIKES. I was young when I started and didn’t understand brand identity and consistency. Let’s just say I’ve grown exponentially and now have my act together. Your brand is sort of a moving target and for a creative mind, can be very difficult to stick to one ‘look.’ I’m still finessing mine.
SS+C: What is the best piece of business/life advice you’ve ever received?
MB: Back up your images a million places!
SS+C: If you could have any other career what would it be and why?
MB: Maybe a filmmaker or a florist, gypsy banjo player or a top chef. Anthony Bourdain’s job might not be so shabby or a Sommelier (I LOVE WINE). I have a lot of passions as you can see.
SS+C: What has been your happiest moment photographing?
MB: As cheesy as it is, when the groom sees his bride for the first time. I’m a totally sucker for that moment and it never gets old.
SS+C: What advice would you give to beginners?
MB: Learn on film. Go on eBay and order a really cheap Minolta or twin reflex lens and take meaningful photos every day for a year. Really see how your work and eye develops. It’s crucial to learning to medium and if you’re not sick of it– keep at it!
Photo provided by Meredith Brockington.