Meet Brienne Maloney | Photographer specializing in emotive storytelling and family documentary

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

Hi Brienne, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
As a parent, I am challenged daily to open my eyes to new perspectives, new worlds, and new ideas; boulders become trolls, and in every tree, there is a fairy den. In their collections of rocks, snails, and “treasures,” my children remind me to embrace the little and simple beauties of the world. I love documenting all their little oddities: the way they scrunch their noses before they sneeze, sleepily rub their eyes, and how their chubby hands grasp at pinecones.

In these everyday moments, I find the most inspiration and beauty – both as a parent and as an artist. I know that, unlike the bags under my eyes, this season of misplaced keys will be missed; and any photographs taken of the time will be held onto and treasured deeply. As a parent, I want my children to look back at their albums and see not only wonderful candid images of their childhoods but real, honest images of the parents that loved them wholeheartedly, however imperfectly.

Ultimately, as an artist, I want my work to make people feel a deep, nostalgic longing for a time past. Life occurs in the little moments, and all the everyday, ordinary details in between. If my work helps people see the beauty in their own mundane, then I will feel like I have succeeded.

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.
As a family documentary photographer, I specialize in capturing human emotion, raw connection, and the beauty in the mundane. When considering my roots as an artist, I believe that it is my observant nature that empowers me to capture my work in the way that I do. From the time I was a little kid, I have always been deeply sentimental – I remember sitting on my grandmother’s lap and tracing her spotted hands, observing the way my mother doodled Christmas trees in her notebooks, and hiding on the stairs to listen to my brother play the French horn. Now that I am a mother myself, I am often overwhelmed observing the little mannerisms my children have – the way our daughter’s green eyes flash with intensity when she is excited about finding a new treasure, the way my preschooler’s wild tangles match his wildly untamable spirit, and our toddler’s dimply, mischievous smile when he breaks free from his diaper. It is in these little details and memories that I find the most inspiration for my work.

In this digital age of heavily photoshopped faces and carefully cultivated social media feeds, it can be challenging to get clients that want unscripted documentation; but I would argue that it is even more important. My goal, is to show clients that their imperfect reality is far more interesting and beautiful than any manicured version ever could be. I love capturing the mud on shoes, scraped-up legs, messy hair, normal bodies, exhausted parents with lived in homes, boogers wiped across noses, and the big feelings. Real, imperfect, messy life is beautiful and worthy of capturing.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love taking our kids to the botanical gardens, the aquarium, and the Denver children’s museum! These locations have so many educational opportunities and are a blast for the kid and adults.

For a delicious meal, I would recommend Uncle Ramen. It is delicious and a Denver staple!

Within a quick drive, I would visit Cherry Creek State Park and if you have a longer amount of time in the area, I highly recommend making the drive to Garden of the Gods or the Paint Mines near Colorado Springs.

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?
Having the support of my husband during the early years of late night editing, photoshop crashes, camera malfunctions, and frustrating sessions, meant the world. His encouragement and humor helped motivate and keep me focused on my dream.

My three children and their love of life are the source of all my inspiration. I love the way they see the beauty in the tiniest of things.

And finally, my family growing up. When I was eleven, my parents gifted me my first camera and I quickly became the family documentarian. They humored me as I paraded around the house, capturing all sorts of family drama and oddities. These early years of acceptance were paramount in growing my love for photography.

Website: www.bmaloneyphoto.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/briennemaloneyphoto

Facebook: www.facebook.com/briennemaloneyphotography

Image Credits
Image credit to @Brienne Maloney Photography LLC