Meet Mychal Brandon: Photographer, Director, & Singer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mychal Brandon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mychal, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
I think the single most important decision I’ve made, that has contributed to my success, is my choice to be more than just an artist, who has to be an entrepreneur. I try my best to always keep a balance of being artistically driven, but business conscious.

Residing in Los Angeles, as a midwestern transplant, challenges your resolve to be here. LA is one of the most expensive places to live, let alone thrive. In order to grow and sustain, you have to be willing to operate in diverse work climates. If you’re so creatively particular, you miss the opportunities that give back consistently; you have to be able to adjust and redistribute your artistry to fit the need.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My parent company is Nolamar Media, Inc. I have a few monikers under that, however, I major primarily in the visual arts. I’m a photographer, director, and a singer. I’ve been in business here in LA for about 4.5yrs. I’m most proud of the diversity within my business, I love that I fit the mold for so many different outlets. Having a concert? I can shoot it, sing in it, or direct it.

My first gig in LA came from an encounter on the US bank rooftop, I met the dean of africana studies of CSU Northridge. She booked me to shoot a few events, and it turned into a working relationship, in which I still shoot for her. Mind you, my heart lies in the creative space, so it’s tough when you have to do the jobs that pay the bills but don’t peak your potential. But, I persisted and I took jobs like this while building relationships in the spaces for more creative opportunities.

It’s a challenging market, and quite intimidating, but you have to learn to how to diversify your portfolio. I had contracts for high schools, weddings, events, etc. But my heart is in solo portraiture, directing, and music. One of the many lessons I learned from my eldest brother, also a creative, is that you don’t always have to be a struggling artist.

I want people to know that Mychal Brandon is tangible, I never want to get to a place where people feel as though my craft is unobtainable to them. If I can shoot for Beyonce one day, I should still be open to shooting my auntie when I fly home.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m views type of guy. It’s been a long tradition of mine to get visitors to a view point in the city for some affirmations. So hiking is clearly on the itinerary. Food is plentiful here, I love trying new things, and I love trying new things with people. When I have company, it’s an adventure an opportunity to try something I don’t typically have, an excuse to eat. The beach is a must, Santa Monica is my favorite beach to take out of towner’s.

There are so many flavors of people here, I think it’s important to immerse people in that reality. That’s LA. The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to Shoutout Thomas Scranton. When I first got to LA I had to rideshare to make ends meet. I picked up on this really cool guy wearing Indiana Jones style hat, who was headed to the airport. During an hour long ride he befriended me and come to find out he was a cinematographer with quite a few credits under his belt. He invited me to be his intern on the set of a feature film he was shooting. It was my first production gig in LA, and the experience spawned relationships and opportunities that continue to change my life to this day. I’m eternally grateful and hope to work with him again some day.

Website: www.mykesoulo.com

Instagram: mychal.brandon

Twitter: mychal.brandon

Image Credits
VonMay Mendoza Lucas Mark Amanda Berry Mychal Brandon (Me)