Meet Bekah Lynn Broas | Portrait & Event Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bekah Lynn Broas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bekah Lynn, how do you think about risk?
I love the quote from my favorite movie, Elizabethtown: “Those who risk, win.” It just says ‘win’, not necessarily “have great success”. So then, what is winning? Well, to me — winning isn’t really all about beating someone else. It has more to do with the race within myself. See, when I started out a few years ago to venture into the world of owning my craft, that move was indeed seen by others (and initially by myself) as –risk. Up until that point, I saw risk as a negative thing: it’s the sock that gets thrown into the dirty laundry basket, or even the Goodwill bag. Something to quickly discard. But the crazy thing is, like how Claire said it at the end of that movie, it is only through risking that you truly win. And I’ve found that winning, is actually about becoming victorious – not on the outside, but from within. It wasn’t until I risked quitting my 9-5 day job and stepping off the cliff of opening an LLC, building a brand and trying to “do the thing”, that I actually experienced that free-fall-feeling of being truly alive. I’m not gonna lie, stepping off the cliff is scary. Risk is scary. That’s why it’s called risk. It’s not safety. It’s potentially dangerous. It’s the inhale. It’s the drop in the pit of your stomach. And, it’s so worth it. I risked, and I have won. Not necessarily always as success as perhaps the world sees it, or even how I usually see it. Not a million dollar year salary or even a really predicable steady income. That’s not why I did it and stuck with it. I did it because I realized this crazy secret (but not-so-secret) freedom in myself I didn’t know I needed until I stepped of the ledge. I’ve won the victory of becoming more of my true self. My inner world has elevated, on a kind of gold medal pedestal of knowing that this, this is what I was made to do. Be an artist. A creator. A celebrator of people behind the lens. So. What do I think of risk? What role has it taken? I think risk is usually worth your all, because — it usually means saying “yes” to feeling more alive than you do right now. It means experiencing living, not merely existing. And in my life/career, that injects something that no Instagram ad or business plan can. Because risk can boost life from within, and in turn and time, from without. Just do it. Step off. Say yes. It’s the best thing I ever did.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I capture mainly portraits of people outdoors and some in studio. The occasional event or product shots come through, but I mainly focus on portraiture. I’m honestly most proud of HOW I take the photos during my sessions. People tell me they feel super relaxed and comfortable, which inevitably means their photos turn out amazing. I believe this is what can set me a part from other photographers. I focus on “celebrating you”, which really means making you feel relaxed, comfortable and confident during our session. It’s great. I got to this place by just deciding to go for it. A few years ago, I quit the day job and took on photography more full-time and full-on. It was challenging plunging into world of over-saturated social media and trying to figure out how to book clients. I learned along the way that it come back to grass roots: know you are, be that person consistently and word-of-mouth referrals are the best thing hands down. I want the world to know that getting photos taken of yourself is not small thing. It can be a celebration. Yes, of course, the nerves creep in – they do for all of us in front of a camera – but MY brand is about making it feel super natural and most importantly, that you walk away and look at your photos feeling uniquely seen and celebrated.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh man, there are so many great spots in Denver. I’d say I’d start on South Broadway and work my way up to the Highlands. Faves: – Beatrice and Woodsley for happy hour bites & bevs – Stop in the Ruffly Rose for a fun floral find – Walk around the DCPA art complex, see some roof views – Grab 16th mall bus ride to Union Station – Pop over to Rhino / 5 Points to see the art – Walk the bridge across 25 at Confluence Park – Bites and skyline views at Avanti – Finish with speakeasy vibes, William & Graham

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I certainly wouldn’t be here doing what I’m doing and how I’m doing it without my partner-for-life, Daniel Broas. He was and still is the one who gets the most excited about my work and keeps my spirits up when I get discouraged. And, his job makes it possible for me to do mine. I’m so grateful for our partnership and how it boosts the most joy in both of our lives separately and together.

Website: www.bekahlynnphoto.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bekahlynnphoto/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bekah-broas-952b5499

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bekahlynnphoto/

Image Credits
“Talk Denver to Me Photo” – Hannah Vail All other photos – Bekah Broas