Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Amaris.
Hi Brooke, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Being a photographer has been a dream growing in me for as long as I’ve been growing. At 5 years old, my biological dad would let me take photographs from his film Nikon, and by 7 years old I dreamt of being a photographer for Surfer Magazine. I was in airports often as a kid; specifically DIA in Denver, CO and we would always stop at the studio that hosted all the beautiful wildlife images- before editing software and social media – and they always captivated me. I dreamt then of having my own studio one day and wondered what it would be called.
I was 11 years old when I was talking to God about the things on my heart, about my identity. And in an encounter with God, He gave me a new name. That day, my middle name became Kahanu, which means “The Breath of Life” in Hawaiian. I saw pictures in my mind of what I wanted to capture; an old married couple sitting on rocking chairs, kids playing on a tire swing under a huge tree, and a detailed image of homeless man whom I would only take his picture after hearing his story. And so God made me realize it wasn’t just a new name for myself, but it was part of what He’d created me to do; I was made to capture the breath of life. But as in all things, nothing grows until it dies. My childhood dream died, as do so many others, until, at 24 years old, God began to bring it back to life.
I hadn’t touched a camera in over 10 years. I had fears, reservations, excuses and doubts, but while He waited for my ‘Yes’ to Him and His plan, God continued watering the seed of my dream and breathing life into The Breath of Life itself. One pinnacle moment was when a stranger prayed for me. She didn’t know anything about me but she saw an image in her mind of me- holding a camera. She said, “I don’t know if you’ve ever done photography before but I think God wants you to pick it up and He’s going to encounter you in it.” Shortly after, a friend gifted me his own camera. With no more excuses and all of my awe, I simply told God yes, and He has been faithful to love me and teach me through every photography opportunity I’ve been given. Colossians 1:16-17 says, “For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Jesus Christ gives us the breath of life, and now I get to capture it with Him and for Him through Kahanu Photography! To God be the glory.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are always obstacles in life when we choose to pursue something. Anything that is of significance should stretch you and challenge you- be it physically, mentally, or spiritually. The obstacles are all of my firsts and truly every time after that because no two shoots have ever been the same. It’s always a new environment, location, people, purpose, lighting – you adapt and overcome, problem solving until you accomplish what you set out to do. There was the uncertainty of the first time I did a shoot not feeling like I knew anything, learning my communication failures the first time I used a second shooter, navigating lighting and flashes when an array of colored lights are used at an event, growing into a personal editing style but tactically making each shoot feel unique. The first time I did a product shoot and it wasn’t people, weapons or action, I got to push myself creatively to make it come alive and collaborate on design and brand-vision, and learned how to make the tools of a tripod and placement measuring work for me so there was less editing on the backend. There are plenty more challenges I could list, but when I struggle, fumble, learn and grow, I take what I did well and do it better in the next shoot, and take what I didn’t do well and adjust accordingly for the next shoot.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a photographer, I have had the opportunity to shoot a broad range of niches from Political and Social Events, Commercial Realty, Family, and Product photography. What these opportunities have shown me is my passion and vision for Documentary style Event Photography. I have had the absolute honor of shooting images and events for Texas State Representative Nate Schatzline in the State Capitol as well as for GOP Victory Parties and other affiliated events. And I have had the privilege of shooting for fundraising events hosted at 407 Gun Club, and Defender Outdoors including a Helicopter Hog Hunt.
I’m most proud in knowing I didn’t do this on my own. God asked me to pick up photography, the Holy Spirit has literally taught me in moments where I didn’t know how to adjust to get a shot, and friends and people around me have trusted me and believed in me enough to give me opportunities to serve them through taking these pictures.
What sets me apart from others is that I do this with the Lord and I want to be a blessing while I do it. There is a story behind every image. I altogether want to capture the breath of life; Kahanu.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Obedience and Joy. I think that both of those when brought together on a shoot bring to me an expectation of greatness. It’s not my own greatness, but it’s the greatness that God will come either in the event or in a moment. When I invite Him to enjoy this with me or ask the Holy Spirit His thoughts on a shot or where to go, He answers and its only then where a shoot truly becomes easy for me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kahanu.photography
Image Credits
Kahanu Photography
