Bryan Xavier

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
So, about me, I’m an optician and work for a national optical management company as a trainer. I travel the states and photograph along the way. I have a passion for travel and photography so it works out really well for me.

When did you realize your passion for photography?
I’ve always had a passion for photography, any time there was a camera around, I was taking pictures with it. About 6 years ago I watched a documentary on blind photographers and I was astonished and memorized by Pete Eckert who had a large plywood box that he would get inside with a model, open the shutter and shine a flashlight and different colored gels around her. The result was amazing light painted images. I was hooked instantly. I ran out and bought the first DSLR I could afford. Took me about a month to figure out how to do it but, when I did I was so excited. The passion grew from there to night photography and it continues to grow and evolve today. I take a lot of time and pride in my images. I like to preserve highlights and open shadows. I strive for a “perfect” exposure.

What is your advice to aspiring photographers on Instagram?
The advice I would give to any aspiring photographer or instagrammer would be to first, always take your camera with you regardless of the type you have, phone, point and shoot or DSLR. Shoot shoot shoot, change your angles, height, perspective. Be adventurous and take a lot of different exposures. Learn your gear inside and out. If there’s a button or switch on your camera and you don’t know what it does, learn! If you don’t, you don’t need that camera! The other piece of advice I would give is, have fun, don’t take what others say or think too seriously, this is your vision, not theirs. I myself have fallen victim to being caught up in what others think or say about my work. You have to remember, it’s art and everyone has the right to express how they choose. There’s no right or wrong in photography. If you don’t like a photo, you’re not obligated to like it or make a comment. Like my mom always told me, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. The last thing I would say is interact with fellow instagrammers or photographers and learn from them, ask questions. If they won’t teach you, find one that will. Too often photographers get caught up in their own heads and won’t show someone how to edit a certain way or how to achieve a look or type of lighting. Don’t be that way, show anyone anything you know! I think teaching others and sharing your knowledge is part of being a great photographer. Remember, you can go to a restaurant and have a great meal, ask for the recipe and the chef can give you detailed instructions but, that doesn’t mean that you’re gonna make it the same way!

Instagram: @bx_photography | Website: bxphotography.com