Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandall Binion.
Hi Brandall, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a photographer. Currently more a motorsports photographer but essentially a photographer because I will shoot anything that looks like a challenge. I have had a camera in my hands or had one close by since 1985… back when film ruled the day. I currently shoot regularly for several vintage auto racing magazines and am trying to branch out into other areas closer to fine arts. I am a member of the Texas Photographic Society (TPS), and Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and slowly entering my work in contests and exhibitions as I grow my range. Every time I cover an event, I am trying to elevate my work to something more than what is expected. In this climate of high quality phone camera’s in the hands of everyone… I think its important to strive for a higher level of imagery.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not always smooth, but more disjointed for me. Photography is a tricky business to break through as a sole source of income. It is incredibly demanding, and it requires hustle and it requires some good breaks, and some excellent networking to break through your chosen corner of that world. For instance, I started out wanting to shoot fashion or at least I thought I did. For a Texas boy, back in the early 90’s… that would mean heading out to the right or left coast. This was pre-internet days and committing to a move to NYC without know anyone out there was a non-starter. Juggling bicycle racing and a new marriage didn’t help things any. Jobs and then kids enter the picture, and the camera was set aside on and off over the years as life gets in the way. I picked it up on occasion to shoot news assignments, or entertainment articles… but was not an active shooter for a couple of decades.
Ironically it was my love of motorsports that pulled me back into photography. I was working as a race mechanic on weekends for a vintage racing shop when I started paying attention to the photographers at events. I would watch them jump from corner to corner as a race went on and I thought, why not? I put down the wrenches and fell in love again with my camera. Full disclosure, I did end up building a race car and now try to race a few weekends a year while shooting the rest of the calendar.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a telecom engineer by day. It is so technical that it’s a world away from anything creative… and that makes photography my outlet. It holds a big spot in my heart because I think us humans need outlets to create within. Sometimes that is music, or sports, sometimes it is closer to the arts. Whatever it is, I feel like we need creative outlets.
I am known for my composition I think. I am very aware of how I frame each shot before I even trip the shutter. It is funny, because I edit very little. I have almost no post processing. My images are shot in RAW format, and other than a quick frame and a very minor exposure adjustment… I don’t do much more with my images. My intention is to keep them looking as real as the scene I found myself in front of. When I have a 3 day race weekend that had rain on Friday, overcast on Saturday and then sunshine on Sunday… I want every shot to be obvious as to which day it was shot on. I do NOT post process everything to look like a sunny summer day and I guess I am proud of that.
What were you like growing up?
I was fortunate enough to be born in Texas, and then live in the northeast part of the US as well. We moved a lot because my father was an aircraft mechanic and he seemed to jump companies every couple of years. I was a typical Gen X kid… almost feral by day, tearing around on a BMX bike with friends and just being outside. I find I still love being outside today… which is good because motorsport journalism means you will definitely be out on a hilltop or tucked into the woods at the fence line for the whole afternoon some days. Living up in the Northeast, and back in Texas at different ages gave me a more rounded upbringing and it was fascinating to look back on all the places I have been. It also allowed me to communicate and get along with all kinds of people as relocation will force you to do. Changing schools every year or two will bring anyone out of their shell!
Besides motorsports and photography, I am also a cycling enthusiast and was an active bicycle racer through my teen years and into my 20’s. I am now a much more recreational version of cyclist!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brandallbinionphoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandallbinionphoto/
