Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaac Westbrook.
Hi Isaac, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Dallas, TX, aka Oak Cliff. I am married to my lovely wife, Brittany. I joined the Audio & Music Ministry team to video church services at my church St. Paul Baptist Church, where I have had fellowship since I was a little kid and have been with the team for 13 years. Joining the Audio & Music Ministry team from the start taught me about capturing angles and when to zoom in and out. After that, I returned to Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2014 and graduated in May 2016.
I did not get into my career field, Health, and Fitness, so I worked at a bank and met another photographer who worked alongside me named Elissa Pace at the time (now Elissa Pace-Martinez). She specializes in engagement and wedding photography. She helped me by giving me a few basics of photography and what cameras to choose from. I was so hooked on photography that I began to self-teach myself everything there is to know about photography through the internet and social media. Then, I used the knowledge I had learned from the Audio & Music Ministry team from my church, Elissa Martinez, the information I had self-taught myself, and the encouragement and support of my family and friends to form my photography brand IkeWest Photography. I have been in the photography game for four years, which has truly blessed my life. All the praise goes to God because I would not be where I am without him. God has opened many doors I thought I could never walk through alone. Because of the support of my wife, my Mom, my Dad, and my family, I service my photography business to anyone who needs a photographer. I appreciate Kelsey Hayes (Instagram is keldabarber87), one of the best barbers in Dallas, my brother, and true friend, for the times I come to him for a haircut or retwist, he always gave me wisdom about word of God towards living and loving life. Thanks to Jentrega, Trice, Yohance (Yo-Yo), Marcus Ingram, and Yolanda, I have photographed certain events with The Black Academy of Arts and Letters. They also helped improve my photography skills. Johnnie Williams trusted me by allowing me to shoot for the Young 3 alongside Charles “Choo” Smith Jr. to capture memorable moments and the action of the Big 3 basketball games whenever they are in Frisco or Dallas, TX. Also, I shoot public community events for South Oak Cliff (SOC) to help the school and the community of Oak Cliff however I can. I met and made friends with many photographers and videographers along the way. I cherish these moments so I can share them with others.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Oh no. It was extremely rough for me at the beginning of my photography journey. I know every photographer can attest to this; shooting in manual mode for photography was learning a foreign language. It took me a while to understand that; however, it was exciting because I was eager to learn something new. Then I had to learn about editing. Plus, I did not receive clients for over a year or make any money from photography. I did not have the knowledge or experience of business in photography. To top it off, my mother had cancer in July 2019. After hearing the news about my mother, I did not focus on my photography business. I had second thoughts about moving forward with photography until I did a cancer photoshoot of my mother. It was my very first photoshoot. The photoshoot of my mother was so beautiful that it took months to convince her to post it on my social media to show it off. She encouraged me to keep going with photography and life because of the many blessings God has in store for me in my life. Things were looking up as I gradually got clientele, networking with local public figures in Dallas, and, most importantly, my mother has been cancer free for four years. I still receive many no’s and silent responses when networking with others and companies (laughs). However, I have been blessed tenfold with unexpected emails and messages inquiring about my services. Without the struggles and rejections, there is no growth, lesson learned, or testimony to share with others. I embrace it all faithfully because it made me the man I am today and continues to make me a better person.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am known for capturing moments in that people can relive memories of the good times which touch their spirit. I am known for capturing moments that tell the story warmly and heartfeltly. I create photos that look vibrant or beautiful with the right editing touches. The pictures I take make that person feels special when received. I shot a family photo for the Calloway / Haynes family. They are another part of my family, which includes my birthday twin Stephanie Ward-Jones (Rest in Heaven). She was the heart and soul of the family. Kelsey, Rashad, Ken, and Saneesia will know what I mean by birthday twin. Stephanie Ward-Jones passed away two or three months after I shot the family photo. However, I appreciate being able to capture that moment for the family while she was still alive.
I specialize in family, portraits, sports, business, maternity, stage, and graduation photography. I try to do everything because it helps me to shoot better and be more creative with my style of photography. I have only been doing portraits, stage, and sports photography lately.
Many people say that I have a good eye for photography. The angles, creative editing style, and knowledge I have learned and am still learning made me the photographer I am today. I always have a good spirit toward people. This is the golden rule, do unto others as you do unto them, which is referred to in Luke 6:31 and Matthew 7: 12. I am a person who likes to support people to the best of my capabilities. That is why I interact with people to network and help them succeed in any way I can. Most importantly, I like to be fair and truthful to people. It allows me to have good customer service with people. Not only that, I rather build and cherish relationships with anybody I work with. These characteristics and personalities of myself translate into how I create and take photos. It pushes me to want to work harder for myself, my family, and the people who use my photography service. I always look for ways to improve and create new things in photography.
Any big plans?
My plan for the future is to have my studio in south Dallas (Oak Cliff) to help future photographers find their style of photography. Not only that, I want to use my platform to help the communities of the DFW and other cities to improve and unite together. Also, I would like to do travel photography and photograph in different parts of the world. That has always been my vision for photography all over the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ikewestphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ikewest_photography/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ikewestphotography
Image Credits
IkeWest Photography
