Meet Bret Cromwell | Photographer and soccer coach.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bret Cromwell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bret, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Photography has always been a passion of mine but it’s always remained a hobby. This was until the pandemic hit and I all of a sudden had all this extra free time. So I spent a lot of it going out and taking pictures. Great way to get out and be socially distant. I started posting a few more pictures online and people started making comments on them and liking and sharing them. I think for a long time I wasn’t sure if anyone would really care about my photography but there seemed to be a few people now that were interested. I started getting some offers to buy my work so I decided that I should actually make it a business. In just a few months I was able to display some art work and started selling a few pieces. It makes me happy knowing it’s something I enjoy and also brings others joy as well.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m not sure what sets me apart from others. I think taking the leap from photography being a hobby to making it a business is something that sets me apart. For a long time I was the person who thought about selling but never got into the ring. And taking that step was a huge leap. It takes a lot to share you work because it’s open to be criticized and that can be really tough. But believing in myself and my work has helped tremendously.

I think what excites me most is sharing my work and seeing peoples reactions. And also what the future will bring for my work. I’m always excited after I shoot to see what I captured and that can be something as simple a taking a picture of a friend or sunset.

I couldn’t have gotten here without the help of friends and family either. They’ve helped get me into places or shared my work and been my biggest advocates. It’s taken a lot of time and trial and error to get to a place where I’m happy with my work. I look back to where I started and see an amateur just finding his way. By no means do I think I have it figured out but I know I’ve taken steps in the right direction. That’s taken many years for me as I kept it as a hobby and no I actually concentrate on it more and try to take notice of the details. I’ve also tried to learn more about photography. I’ve asked other photography friends or reached out to those I didn’t know for advice. That was a huge help.

I think what I’ve learned along the way is it’s not easy. It can be difficult to get your name out. It can be hard to show your work for others to critique. But at the end of the day I have to be confident and happy in my work and abilities me not worry what others may think about it and just go for what I want.

I think what I’d like the world to know is it’s never to late to take a chance. I’m 36 years old (yes, I know, not really that old) and I’ve taken a chance in something I care about and want. And no matter how big or small my photography is I think that might be the best thing is just stepping up and trying.

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.
If I wanted to show my friend a good time I would start off with a place that’s chill with good food and drinks. If they just got in from a log flight there’s a place called McNellie’s which is a local pub that we would go. Talk to the bartenders or strike up a conversation with someone at the bar. Always good to meet new people and hear their story. And of course grab a beer and burger and we’d be set. Maybe the next day head out to a professional soccer or baseball game game. Enjoy the atmosphere, sit back and chill. Maybe find a rooftop bar to go to after the game and check out the views while enjoying a couple cocktails. The Vú is a great spot for this.
Then we’d have to get out of town and either float the river or catch some atvs and get a little adventure in our lives. Maybe camp out and do the other activity the next day. Who knows, maybe a zip line or skydiving. Gotta feel alive and one with nature.
Then we’d come back to town and do a brewery tour. Most the breweries around here are close by and easy to walk or bike to. Eerie abbey would definitely be on the list. Great for hanging out with friends. Love trying to local brews and gotta support them as well.
Probably for the final day we’d have to get out and ride bikes or play some golf before hitting up one of the local speakeasies for dinner. Then probably finish it off with a concert (jimmy eat world 🤞) at the cains ballroom.
I think this would give a good representation of a good time.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I think first I would like to shoutout my family. They were the first ones to believe in me and helped push me to do more. And from a young at I can remember my parents always had a camera with them and I always wanted to play with them and pretend I was a photographer.

Second, I would have to say my girlfriend Taylor. She really loved my work and has been my biggest advocate. She has helped me get my name out and pushed me to really jump into it. She really believes in me and was actually my first customer.

And lastly, Peter Lik. From the first time I stepped into one of his galleries I was amazed. The vibrant colors and detail just stuck out and it’s the kind of photography that I’ve always loved.

Instagram: @_bretcromwellphotography_