Brian’s Full Bio (aka The Longer Story)
Photography has been a part of my life since I was a teenager. I started by taking photos of my favorite tennis stars at the US Open In those days, of course, everything was on film, and I loved using my Canon AE-1 that was passed down to me through my uncle and then my father. I remember how excited I was not only to take the photos, but to (days later) get the prints. I loved it!!! In college, I met the University Photographer, the late, great Van Dousmanis, who immediately took me under his wing and became my mentor. He taught me so many invaluable lessons that I use every day in my work, which simultaneously honors his memory and makes me miss him! During this time I landed a job as a road manager for the great jazz drummer, Roy Haynes, and traveled around the country with him and his band. When my road managing duties were finished, I would take out my camera (Minolta Maxxum film camera) and fire away during the show. When I got back to campus, Van and I would develop the film and make enlargements. Those were some of the best days of my life, and days that changed the course of my personal and professional journey.
It wasn’t until early 2000 that I got my first digital camera, a gift from comedian Ray Romano. I spent my 20′s working with him as part of his management team. It was an amazing experience, but in the back of my mind I knew I had to pursue photography as a career. It was at the end of my tenure with Ray that I had the distinct honor of being able to take photos on the set of Everybody Loves Raymond and it was that experience that confirmed it was time for a change. In 2007, I left my full-time job and started B-Freed Photography.
Over the years, I’ve focused my photography on weddings as well as the world of entertainment. Music is an enormous part of my life and I’ve always loved going to concerts. Today, I’m blessed to photograph some of my favorite bands for iHeartRadio, most notably at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas and at Jingle Ball around the country. In 2012, I was tapped to be one of only a few photographers to shoot 121212: The Concert for Sandy Relief which featured The Who, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Paul McCartney, and Billy Joel to name a few. You can see some of my concert work here.
At the end of the day, I absolutely love shooting weddings and concerts, because each fulfills a different part of me that is essential to my happiness. I love the excitement of shooting music, and I love helping people celebrate their love and immortalizing their biggest day by taking their wedding photos.
Lastly, I absolutely love dogs and enjoy living in Long Island with my amazing miniature schnauzer, Kennedy.
[portfolio_slideshow fancygrid=false]
