Meet Brandon Scott | Destination Wedding Photographer

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

Hi Brandon, how do you think about risk?
I went to college for accounting, got my CPA license and ended up at a safe, well-paid job at large regional firm. After working there for years, photographing small sessions and an occasional wedding on the weekends, I felt trapped, decided to take a leap and quit to pursue wedding photography full time. That was over ten years ago and ended up being the move that defined the trajectory of my life. So thankful for sweet 24-year-old risk-averse Brandon for making that move. haha.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
One upon a time, a guest approached me during cocktail hour to strike up a conversation. They introduced themselves as a fellow photographer. I had already assumed this from the massive camera they had slung around their neck all day.

Anyway, they asked if I did any other type of photography beyond photographing weddings.

“Nope! I only photograph couples and weddings.”

A look of concern washed across their face, soon followed by pity. They pat me on the shoulder and said, “Hey man, ya gotta pay the bills. You’ll be free from these soon enough.”

And then faded back into the cocktail hour crowds.

This interaction was about five years ago but it really set up camp in my brain. I think about it pretty regularly, not as something I reflect on with resentment or astonishment, but more like… a moment of resolution?

In the photography universe, weddings are broadly viewed as a stepping stone on the pathway to bigger, better things, like maybe commercial or sports or editorial. I think that’s the mindset this guest had.

I view myself as a pretty empathetic person. I tend to take on the feelings of people around me and I try to give my full care and attention to the person I’m with. Obviously I’m not perfect at this and have room to be better, but I hope I’m always evolving.

Wedding days are FULL of opportunities to help and serve people. They’re the environment an empath thrives in.

Being an empath comes with downsides, like I’m a more sensitive person and have an overall fear of disappointing people, for example, but I think the advantages lend themselves to making me a pretty good storyteller and what is wedding photography all about if not telling a story?

This career I stumbled into isn’t the stepping stone on the pathway to something greater. It’s the end of the path.

I know that guest didn’t mean to create such a wake in the river of my mind, but I’m truly thankful they did. Before that conversation, I don’t think I had a moment where I settled on making such a distinction. I’m not just a photographer. I’m a wedding photographer.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Easy peasy – DTLA for an afternoon pint and lunch at Wurstküche. Griffith Observatory for some walking around and views. Pier Burger on the Santa Monica pier for a stroll and cheeky dinner, and then checking out MOMA and whatever is on exhibit there. Maybe a nightcap somewhere downtown like Perch 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?
At the risk of sounding extremely un-original, I owe any vapor of success I have to the support of my wife Megan. She’s the emotional support I never could’ve predicted needing, and the most reasonable person to process difficult decisions with. So thankful for her.

Website: https://brandonscottphoto.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellobrandonscott/