Meet Brooke Summer | Owner & CEO, Bold With Brooke and Brooke Summer Photography

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

Hi Brooke, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Work/life balance is a myth, and is disproportionately used against women as a way to shame them for not choosing one or the other.

The reality is that when we are paying attention to one thing, the other will always have less attention, that’s just life. AND ALSO – we can learn to pay attention to the seasons of our lives and how those seasons shape our world and our businesses & families.

For instance – when you have a newborn at home, your house will never be as clean as it was before that baby was born. Because your priorities are different, and your focus is now keeping this new little life safe and happy. We accept that, because it’s a season, it’s not forever.

When we have a big launch, or a season of chaos in business, our focus will be on tending to those fires and chaos to make sure they are handled appropriately, and our families won’t have the same attention. However, there are also seasons where are families take priority – and that is the beauty of running a business.

When a business has been built for sustainability and profitability, we have the freedom to focus wholly on our family when necessary, or even just when we WANT to. Because it’s a season, and won’t be forever.

Surrounding ourselves with people who can support us in both aspects – business and family – is essential. Whether that comes in the form of an excellent partner, extended family, or an amazing team, a great leader understands the need to surround herself with people who support her in the various seasons, in the various aspects of her life.

The idea of work/life balance needs to be changed to more of a LONG TERM big picture idea, instead of a daily grind. To expect people to completely balance their work and their lives is a recipe for self shame that serves no one, most of all the leaders that are being held to an unrealistic standard to balance everything, all the time.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My empathy and ability to connect with my clients on a level that most people are afraid of is what sets me apart from others, in addition to an eye for detail and expert lighting.

I often joke that a session – photography or coaching – with me is similar to a counseling session, because people feel comfortable with me and want to share their deepest secrets. There are often tears – both tears of pain and tears of laughter – for one or both of us, and touchups for makeup are typically necessary because of the tears. I’m a safe space for my clients, and they understand that they can share with me without judgment, while I work with them to move towards their next level of self confidence and power in their lives.

Looking at my clients’ photos after the fact – even years later – brings back details of their stories. Stories of abuse, trauma, triumph, rebirth and more. I always say that I work with the most amazing humans on the planet – and it’s absolutely true. I work with clients who have been through hell and back, and they’ve not only risen above the ashes like the beautiful beings they are, but they come back to bring OTHERS out of the ashes as well. I’ve worked with clients to capture pre-wedding photos, to maternity photos, to divorce photos, and everything in between, and I’m so blessed to be a part of their lives in so many different aspects.

Running ANY business has its challenges, and running a business that is inherently racier in nature comes with its own set of challenges on top of the typical business setbacks. I can’t market the way that most businesses do, because of community standards on social media platforms, as well as other types of marketing and advertising platforms. Which has forced me to lean more into the ME behind the marketing, in speaking directly with the amazing clients that I’ve had the privilege to work with, as well as future clients.

I have watched my work change from wanting women to remember they’re beautiful, to wanting women (and all of my clients) to remember the power that they have in their own lives. That even when they’re feeling powerless, run down or discouraged, that they have an inherent capability to design their lives to be whatever they want them to be. Which lead into coaching with creative women as well, especially creative business owners, and that is currently evolving too.

I love reminding women and couples – and even more recently men too – that they are amazing individuals worth celebrating. That they’re not just the roles that they play in their lives – wives, mothers, daughters, sons, dads and more. We are far too hard on ourselves, and I often remind them what is possible when we refocus the brainpower that we use to bash ourselves into other pursuits and goals. I especially love reminding women of their WORTH – that they are beautiful and smart and sexy and worth of being desired and loved and treated like a queen. I love reminding them that their bodies are THEIRS and no one else’s, and there is nothing wrong with being female, having desires, and wanting to be seen or loved in a certain way. As women, we don’t exist to make others happy – and I want women to remember that when their power and beauty is combined with strength, kindness and grace, that they are unstoppable.

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.
I’m a foodie, and also love adventure days, and would love a great mix of both!

Annette is an amazing restaurant just outside of Denver in Aurora, I love a mix of awesome food and great service. If you have a larger party, see if you can reserve the Yurt and have a more intimate experience.

Izzio’s Bakery in Denver’s Central Market has croissants with CREME BRULEE in the middle – do I need to say more? I think not. And being in the market means that if someone doesn’t want pastries (because maybe you’re traveling with a psychopath, no judgment), there are several other options for food in the same building.

As an artist, I love wandering around the Denver Art Museum. There are several buildings with exhibits that change out regularly, as well as standard exhibits that are beautiful and unique. If you’re into clubbing or want to go dancing, there are two options that I enjoy: Dazzle for jazz, and the Church for EDM/House music.

In the summer, Trail Ridge Road is a MUST in Rocky Mountain National Park. However, make sure to give your body a day to acclimate to the altitude if you’re coming from sea level or a lower altitude before going up so high. If you’re not an early bird (who goes to national parks at 7am? Not this girl…) go to The Post Mountain House in Estes Park before entering RMNP, and wander around the Stanley Hotel for a little bit. This is the hotel that the Shining was based on, and it’s truly beautiful and fun to look around. Make sure to look into the timed entry ahead of time though, as the restrictions have tightened in the past few years.

Another awesome summer day trip is Mt. Blue Sky – formerly Mt. Evans. It is one of two fourteeners you can drive to the top of, and the views are absolutely stunning. Bonus, we are typically greeted by mountain goats, and early in the season there are usually young ones that are arguing with each other and squabbling. It’s pretty funny to watch, and if you’re a parent, it’s nice to know it’s not just OUR kids that can be brats.

If you’re able to go a little further outside of Denver for a few days, Steamboat Springs is absolutely stunning. Rent a bike and ride along the Yampa river trail, bring a picnic lunch and sit by the water and enjoy! Then go to Strawberry Hot Springs to sooth your aching muscles after a long ride, or if you want to work the muscles even more, Fish Creek Falls is a beautiful hike that isn’t TOO far or arduous. In Steamboat I have two favorite restaurants that are must-visit spots for us every time: Mambo Italiano and Salt & Lime Tacos.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Aprille Franks is a whirlwind of a business coach and mentor, and has ripped open my heart in in the best way possible, in the times I needed it most, while helping with business strategy beyond what I could have ever dreamed.

Thank you, Aprille, for creating a safe space for female business owners to be raw and real, and teaching us how to move forward through it all.

Website: https://www.brookesummer.com and https://www.boldwithbrooke.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrookesummer

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

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/brooke-summer-photography-denver

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/brookesummer

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebrookesummer

Image Credits
Brooke Summer, Brooke Summer Photography