Behind The Lens: Stephen Brown

By Alina Makhnovetsky

Stephen Brown never dreamed of being a photographer, instead his first love was music. But, being part of a traveling band and good family man is a bit like oil and water, not easily mixed, so when a friend tossed an ancient camera his way, Brown almost immediately found a new outlet for the creative juices.

Over the last decade, Brown has been delicately developing his technique, perfecting his natural eye and most recently, embracing the new technological advances of the digital world. Today, his photographs are crisp representations of his unique ability, keen eye and vast imagination. And in his Looking Glass studio in Perkasie, Brown produces a medley of digital and film photos of weddings, graduations, landscapes, products and portraits. For commercial work, Brown masterfully augments and color enhances his pictures, but he is also quick to point out the drawbacks to the advances. “Film feels more organic,” says Brown. “[With digital] everyone is now a photographer and some people don’t understand that there is still technique and eye for it, and it really hurts the industry,” he confirms. “I try to find a balance, digital is a new animal for me,” says Brown.

While his photos have garnered great response from his clients, it is not only his attention to detail and strive for clear images that have kept the business flourishing year after year. More importantly, Brown is known for his calm and relaxed attitude, a trait rare in a photographer. As the antithesis of the pushy wedding photographer or the aloof fashion one—Brown, knows he is the unmentioned star of the day and doesn’t crave the attention. “He is really a pleasure to work with,” says graphic designer, Sherilyn Kulesh of Kulesh Design Group, who has used Brown’s photography on countless projects since their first collaboration, five years ago. “He has such a great diverse style and I am always surprised at his enthusiasm and how easy going he is,” says Kulesh.

Perhaps it is his musical background that instantly creates an aura of cool calm around Brown and his camera, but it was also precisely the goal he set out for himself. Brown is laid back and therefore, the images he captures appear not stiff, but real and simply beautiful.

Although, he is an accomplished commercial photographer, Brown’s favorite occasion to bring a camera to is still a wedding. “The intimacy of it, watching people in love. I like being a part of it and capturing and trying to catch those moments,” explains Brown. “I try not to be invasive, to honor them as not only clients, but as people, and its not uncommon for me to be emotional about it and get pulled in and be touched by it all, and I like that,” admits Brown.

After so many years behind the lens Brown is still excited every time duty calls. “I just can’t wait to get to the studio to see what stuff looks like,” says Brown. Although, once in a while his hands still occasionally strum the strings of a guitar, for Brown, photography has translated not only into a successful business, but a true passion.

For more information on Looking Glass Photography, visit www.lookingglass-photo.com or call (267) 987-0455.

Alina Makhnovetsky is a freelance writer and lives in Philadelphia, PA.