Meet Brice Powers | Freelance Photographer

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

Hi Brice, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Because I truly can’t see myself doing anything else. I went to college because it was the safe option, however the entire time I kept thinking of how I could implement my photography into my career, I thought this way for years until I finally came to the conclusion that I needed to make photo my career.

Photo is something I’m good at, its showing how I see the world, and I know that it can be made into a career, and I know that if I didn’t make it my life then I would regret it. I also just hate the “9 to 5” which I assume everyone does but that’s another huge driver for me.
There’s also this sense of unadulterated joy that photo brings me when I’m out shooting some rad people and afterwards I show them themselves, often doing what they also love, and seeing the joy it brings them capturing these moments for them. That’s something special alone, and to make that my career is more than enough.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I want to start by saying I’m not a full time creative, only part time.

I currently work full time for my local municipality building trails and maintaining public open spaces, which in its own helps with some inspiration, as well as funding my endeavors.

But to answer how I got to this point? I kept at it, no it was not easy. I take my camera on every adventure I go on and document the best parts. I slowly learned what worked and what didn’t and the error of my ways. I would simply post to my Instagram, and as I gain a following more people started to reach out. Along with that the photo community really helped me learn as well, I got great feedback and of course constructive criticism via my social media.

The biggest challenge I face right now is myself. Staying motivated has been a really big struggle, especially working full time on top of it. I’ve been working at it and its an on going battle.
I’m ironically not super tech-savvy, so building a website and the whole business side of being a photographer has been a bear to overcome.

The toughest lesson for me, besides saving and purchasing gear, was finding my style. For years I was always frustrated with seeing all my favorite photographers and you can immediately recognize their work just based on the image. Whether the shooting style or the editing, it took me a long time to start to work towards my strengths, and with that came style. Its by no means perfect or final, but I’m getting there.

What do I want the world to know about me?
I’m very realistic, I know that not everything will go according to plan, and the only thing to do is improvise and roll with it. I also know that not all people think the same, that communication is key in this line of work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There’s a lot to do here in a week, but ill do my best.

Id say we start it off ay Vern’s Place in Laporte, best breakfast in town. Followed by a trip up the Poudre canyon to see my favorite mountains the Nokhu Crags near the continental divide. Maybe hike up to lake Agnes if we have time, one of my favorite alpine lakes.

Another day could be a down day, we spend the day in Fort Collins, go to one of the local breweries for a beer and hopes for a good food truck too (The Backyard Bird is my current favorite here in Foco). Top off the day with a dip in the river and dinner at Lulu Bistro, a great sushi restaurant here.

Next few days could consist of a trip to Boulder, walk Pearl Street and summit the second flatiron, one of my favorite activities go up to Nederland too maybe.

Next we see that there’s a killer show at Red Rocks, have to show them that right? That right there is worth the trip itself.

To really round out this trip we drive down I-70 to Glenwood Springs and hang out there in the Iron Mountain Hot Springs, definitely something to cross off – even better if its cold.

I myself would be pretty exhausted after a week like that, but those are definitely a few of the things I’d show my friends around Fort Collins and Colorado!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh god, so many people.

To start off, my mom. Growing up she would take family and newborn photos for family and friends, Id often steal her camera and shoot some of my own. She definitely planted the seed and helped it grow into a true passion for me, and I love her for that.

In the last few years as I really sank my teeth into photography I made some amazing friendships that helped push me in many different ways.

Connor Moos has been one of my closest friends, and favorite photographers, we both started around the same time and in the past two to three years he has helped me immensely, and there’s no way I would be where I am with him.

Another name is Tori Enyart. Tori is also a talented photographer herself and she really helps me keep a creative mind, always throwing new and creative ideas or projects at me. She keeps me on my toes and often fills in the spaces where I’m lacking.

Jordan Reichers, another good friend of mine, has aided in being my adventure buddy (and model) on so many excursions. She’s always on the hunt for the next crazy thing to do, mountain to climb or river to jump in.

Instagram: bricepowers

Image Credits
My portrait was taken by Ella Perkins, edited by myself.