Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Balloon.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Eight years ago, I attended the opening of TX Studio with my wife’s camera in hand, with an intent to network and take some pictures of people. I wanted to see what a photography studio was like and meet people. I met an IG influencer there who invited me to a street photoshoot he was hosting downtown outside of a coffee shop, where lots of photographers were taking pictures of models and sports cars in front of a cafe. I showed up with my camera too and started taking pictures of the people who were modeling there. Each had an Instagram account, and the photographers would send their pictures to the models for permission and then post their edited pictures of them online. I later found out these were called IG photography-model meetups. Before this, I didn’t have an IG account, and had no interest in IG. But I made an account and soon started seeing most of these influencers and photographers had massive followings and were posting photos from their model shoots to their feeds and stories. It was all creative, experimental, intriguing and honestly kind of cheesy to see what they posted on IG.
I wanted to do my own edits too, and that’s how I got into portrait photography. I then continued going to these events, learned how to edit online, started hiring models and continued building my portfolio. Whenever I could take a break from family life to attend these types of meetups and edit pictures, I did.
After a year or two, I started to notice a lot of great ballet and acro dance photography on IG, and it was then that I knew that I wanted to be behind the camera doing shots like those of pre-pro and professional dancers, if I was privileged enough to do so. I was able to land a few ballet TFP photoshoots, and paid a couple dance models for shoots, and soon was invited to my first studio shoot with the youth of Contemporary Ballet Dallas. It was successful, and everything grew from there when a fellow photographer introduced me to Ron McKinney and his Pas de Deux Photo program. The education I received from chats, a workshop and working with dancers grew from there and not only did I continue to take photos of dancers, but I also started an ambassador program to help dancers get amazing photos of themselves throughout the year with me that were not only stunning, but would help get them auditions and paid work.
But this was all thanks to dancers, educators and photographers sharing their knowledge, strategies and creativity artistry with me and cultivating a community mindset.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was surprisingly smooth in the beginning and the ambassador program took off. There was a decent amount of interest from pre-pro and even a professional dancer, and I have been a very reliable person to work with, which helps a lot. So, in those respects, I have been successful.
However, I have had struggles.
I haven’t always been early to scout out shoot locations has been one. I’ve been getting better at that one.
Another is I generally don’t go out to a lot of events, and am more introverted. That has led me to be behind the computer too much, instead of out at events and competitions and in the community making connections, which would generate more leads and opportunities to potentially serve more customers. So, I’ve learned to be more outgoing.
Another has been the tendency for me to perceive that I’m always the problem when someone doesn’t sign up for my packages or offers – that I just didn’t price something right, didn’t use the right words, or came across the wrong way or don’t understand dance enough or…the list goes on and on, no matter what they tell me. But in reality, over time I’ve learned:
1. Not everyone will say yes, and that can be good too. Because when I think about it, I really only want people who really like the photography and videography services I provide and can work together with me. Finding your people can take a while and feel like searching for needles in a haystack, but they’re there if you market in the right places. You have to be clear about the ideal type of client you want to serve. Then, it’s often just a numbers game before you come across the right people.
2. Marketing behind a screen without people seeing you do what you do behind-the-scenes is not the best way to grow a local photography business. Getting out in the community and networking is. Some people need you to meet them in person to feel like you are trustworthy and a good fit, and that’s okay, because that’s how human beings are wired for forming relationships. But in general, people already will have a good feeling about you through your online presence before you meet, if they’re the right customer and you’re being professional and genuine. Meeting just confirms it.
3. Customers will come and go. The best people are repeat clients. They book you repeatedly because they can afford you, they like your service and the results. But, at some point, even your most loyal clients will need to tend to other things in their lives, sometimes because they just want to try something different, want to give other small businesses a go too, or are just moving into a different stage in their lives and aren’t able to devote as much time to shoot with you anymore. I’ve also lost potential clients because I don’t own my own studio. So, I have to accept that and not get bummed out or defensive about it. I have to continuously put myself and my business out there to continually grow my customer base.
4. Family and friends will not always be interested in your business or your style. So don’t hope that they will like everything you post. Everyone likes different things, and for good reason. Cherish those who like your endeavor, and keep going. As an entrepreneur, you’ll often have to be your biggest cheerleader.
5. I think people don’t understand how much of an emotional rollercoaster it can be to be an entrepreneur, and that you have to be okay with rejection and that you won’t always immediately win the clients you want. Sometimes a better, more suitable client comes along. You’re playing a long game, with savvy, strategic moves at appropriate times. You’ll need to be aware of what’s happening around you, act fast sometimes, and wait until another opportunity arises at other times. You have to be okay with that and maintain faith in the process and that things will come around to you if you work on your efficiency, do quality work, improve your craft, value your working relationships and stick with a good plan.
6. Lastly, don’t continuously neglect yourself or your family for your hobby or business. Remember your health and your family and loved ones are more important. Remember your commitments and responsibilities. At the end of the day, you’ll come home to yourself or your family, whether or not you have your business. So prioritize yourself and those who love you and believe in you and always keep the door open for those who want to come alongside you to contribute and cheer you on in your endeavors. Try to stay away from people who have shown they don’t really care if you ultimately fail, and I say ultimately fail, because failing and getting back up is part of the road to success.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
It started as Brian Balloon Photography (BBP), then I started getting into videography more recently and changed it to Brian Balloon Media (BBM).
I do photography and videography for many different clients, from family and individual portraits to life events, and always appreciate when I can also shoot ballet, contemporary and acro dance. Most recently, I have also been pitching to do advertisements for dance andd athletic wear brands.
In my business, I am most proud of my ability to have paying customers, to create with dancers, and have an ambassador team of pre-pro and professional dancers for 5 years. It gives me an immense sense of accomplishment to be continuously providing my services to dancers who are at a high level of performance. It makes me really happy to attract and serve artists with a high level of skill and talent. It makes me want to assist them and create with them more when I see them work hard at what they want to accomplish and succeed. It’s a win-win when they do! If my younger self could look at me now, it would be so grateful and proud at me succeeding at things I always doubted my ability to do.
In my personal life, I’m proud of having a relationship with Jesus, being married to my wife for 19 years, of our two children, having a professional full-time job and having this side hobby that I’ve turned into a business over the years.
It’s difficult to say what sets me apart, because a lot of dance photographers strive for perfection and are passionate about what they do. But I would say my style. I strive to create images and video for my clients that display beauty, flexibility, passion and strength, and I’m easy-going and patient. Personally, I also think me being black and having the primary niche of ballet and contemporary dance photography makes me unique in the Dallas area, and sets me apart in a unique way. But aside from that, I truly am passionate about doing my best work for my clients and doing what it takes for them to look their best.
What makes you happy?
A combination of doing what I know I’m supposed to be doing and enjoying it makes me happy. Of course, I like seeing my customers happy too! Photography and videography has, overall, been very enjoyable for me. I feel like so much of my life prior to owning my own business was just doing what I had to do, but not really living my purpose. This, in general, feels like I’m living my purpose, and when those two align to help others, it doesn’t feel like a waste of time. There’s an intersection between what you want to do to be happy and what you have to do to make ends meet and make a living for you and your family. I’ve found that having the freedom to turn more of what I have to do into more of what I enjoy doing brings me happiness. I’ve found dreams can come together with a little less rigidity and more flexibility in life. Sometimes it requires prayer for what you think you can’t change, changing one’s perspective and diving in. For each person, what makes them happy is different. But I’m grateful when we can get excited about working and creating together!
Pricing:
- Portraits – $200+
- Dance – $200+
- Events – $250+
Contact Info:
- Website: http://brianballoonmedia.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/brianballoondance, https://instagram.com/brianballoonpeople
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bballoonmedia
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bballoon/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@brianballoonmedia?si=O1ImOR_w5v3pYq-3
Image Credits
Image 1: Anahla Rose
Image 2: Michelle Chaviano
Image 3: Haley Whitman
Image 4: Elizabeth Kline
Image 5: The Soentjong-Thuybao family
Image 6: Berkeley Ramsey
Image 7: Jamie Kate
Image 8: Caitlyn Steele
Image 9: Sanai Minor
