Her photography has graced many covers of Showcase over the last few years. This month, we sat down with Brooke Klauss, the photographer behind Captured Portraiture.
Showcase Magazine: Can you introduce yourself to the readers?
Brooke Klauss: My name is Brooke Klauss, and I am a 25-year-old wife, mama, and business owner. I am super bubbly and a bit quirky, but a whole lotta fun. I love thrift shopping, crime shows, and Chick-Fil-A iced coffee. As much as I may seem extroverted, I am actually more introverted. I love being in the comfort of my home with my family, pups, and farm. If you ask folks about me, they’ll probably say I am funny, but it’s just because I have a genuine zeal for life, and I truly believe there’s nothing impossible with God.
SM: What (or who) inspired me to be a photographer?
BK: Actually, it was my sister-in-law, Hillary Cobbs. She got a camera 10 years ago and asked me to model for her. We would go downtown, bring tons of funky outfits and just spend hours taking photos. I then asked my mom for my own camera that Christmas not knowing if I would even enjoy photography. “Santa” brought me my Canon Rebel T3I kit, and I started taking self-portraits. They were terrible, but hey we all start somewhere.
SC: When did you take up photography?
BK: Nine years ago. As soon as I picked up the camera and started doing sessions, I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life.
SC: How would you describe your style?
BK: Bold, vibrant, colorful, warm, happy, candid, priceless–I feel like my photo style is a true representation of me and who I am as a person.
SC: What is the perfect shoot?
BK: Give me an overgrown field in the summertime, an hour before the sunset, and I can create literal magic.
SM: What are your favorite shoots?
BK: I used to want to be a wedding photographer, but once I had Brynleigh, my passion changed. Now, I am slowly trying to cut back on weddings to focus more on seniors and family photography. Those babies are only little once and capturing all those in-between moments matters most to me.
SM: Whose photography has influenced you most?
BK: I always hate this question because I never have an answer. It has not been one person’s photography that has inspired me. I get inspired by any successful photographer who has figured out how to be profitable in this business. When I see someone doing what they love and providing for their family while doing it, I get hype. That is my personal goal.
SM: Do you have any advice for inspiring photographers?
BK: How much space do you guys have for this question? It’s important to have a consistent style, but don’t get so caught up with that thought that you don’t give yourself room to grow creatively. PRACTICE. And then practice some more. Learn manual mode; it’s life changing. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else because there will always be someone worse than you and someone who will be better. It’s okay though because there’s room for us all. No one can do photography like you. And if you want to make this a business, run your numbers, and charge your worth.