Meet Brock Mills | Professional Photographer

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

Hi Brock, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
Outsiders are probably not aware that editing is what sets photographers apart. I spend more time editing photos, than I do taking photos. At the end of the day, editing has more impact. I’ve spent over 13 years perfecting my craft as professional photographer. My “Edit” is what sets my photos apart. My editing is what clients pay for. You cannot find my edit somewhere else. Insiders know that. Outsiders equate putting a filter on a photo with the craft of editing a photo.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My composition and editing are the two main things that set me apart from other photographers. Every day I take pictures of everyday objects that people overlook and dismiss as simple. The truth is, everything has amazing detail if you look close enough. I chose to be a photographer, but I am also an artist. Even when I am not taking photos, I am being creative. I enjoy watching wildlife documentaries and basketball. It inspires my photography. I am constantly thinking of photos to create that change the narrative on how photography should be done. I get motivated by watching LeBron James be great at playing basketball. When I started taking photos I did not look up to any other professional photographers. I did not research any “photography legends” or study their techniques. I did not even read the manual when I got my first DSLR. I wanted to do it my own way. I want to take photos the way LeBron James plays basketball. I wanted to take pictures the way a cheetah raises her cubs, much like how my mother raised me and my brothers. I met photographers along the way that I liked and respected, but I wanted my composition and editing style to be unique to me. Not inspired by anyone else’s work. I am confident enough to know that I can shoot anything, even if it’s a subject that I have never shot before. My desire to be the best motivates me to create work without any rules or ideologies interfering with my process. I do not mean that I want to be the best out of everyone. I want to be the best version of myself. All I need is my camera. If I do not have a flash in a dark room, I still find a way to get the photo I want.

I got to where I am today by taking photos different from everyone else. I combined that with a unique editing style. Working with people who understood my style was important to my growth as well. Nothing about accomplishing a goal is easy. To some it may look easy. When I use to work as a personal celebrity photographer, people would write me and say, “I am envious,” “I wish I was in your shoes” and “you have my dream job.” They had no idea what it took for me to get in that position. They had no idea what it looked like to be me. I was working late, sleeping 4 hours a night and barely spending anytime with my family. Getting here was not easy and it damn sure isn’t easy maintaining it. Nas was my favorite rapper growing up. The night I got to meet him and take his picture, I was lightheaded and having the worst headaches. I ended up needing brain surgery a week later. The pictures went viral. Nothing about that was easy, I just made it look easy. I had goals to be a professional basketball or football player. I never saw photography in my future. To change your goals at a point in life where society tells you that you should know who you want to be is never easy. Becoming a photographer is hard and staying a photographer is even harder.

I worked hard to overcome the challenges, but hard work was not enough. I knew when started photography, that I would not be the only photographer around, but I could be the hardest working one, so I focused on that. I had to be the one that stood out the most. I knew I was not going to do that with my personality (LOL). I am notoriously quiet and laidback. I had to do it with my work. Before I started shooting as a personal photographer for Hip-Hop artists, my goal was to be the best photographer in the room. I would take pictures from the crowd at concerts that my wife and I bought tickets to. I made it look like I was already the hired personal photographer. I created a vibe and it manifested into my reality in a matter of months. There are so many ways to tell a story. Ironically, it doesn’t always start out on the stage.

Along the way, I learned that everyone doesn’t want the best or the hardest working. Some people want the cheapest, others want the loudest. I’m neither so I had to learn to be content with who I am and to trust every decision I made. I no longer get upset if someone doesn’t want to pay my rates. I can’t control that. I know that when I’m taking pictures, I put everything into it. Blood, sweat and tears. That’s invaluable. What’s even more invaluable is knowing that my clients will love my photos. I have never had a client that didn’t.

I want the world to know that I was born with hydrocephalus. I had my first brain surgery less than a few weeks after I was born. I had my second one shortly after I turned 14. A third surgery at 15, a fifth at age 17, a sixth surgery at 31 and a seventh at age 34. The world should also know that I was born in Brownsville, Brooklyn. I am grateful to be alive. I am grateful for photography. My condition and the neighborhood I grew up in shaped my story before I had a brand. Not only did surgery save my life, so did photography.

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 would start by going to eat breakfast at this place around the corner from me. They make the best breakfast and have outside seating. The food and the atmosphere in North Hollywood are great, and the prices are fair.

We would have to attend a Laker game. No more than four rows back! Because you have to see “The Brow” up close with “The GOAT” LeBron. For some weekend fun, I would go to late-night spots in Culver City where my brother Hash Mills DJ’s. He is the best DJ in Los Angeles!

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 want to shoutout to my late Grandmother, Elaine Knight. I was living in her apartment when I decided to become a photographer. I never said, “I want to be a photographer.” I just did it and she supported everything I did. My mother, Patricia Mills, also played a big role. She always wanted me to work for myself. My mother always said, “if you do something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” I thought I would be so many things before I became a photographer. Eventually, I found something that I love to do and I’ve been doing it ever since. And last, but not least I want to shoutout my wife, Sarah Mills. Every day she pushes me to be a better person and photographer. She gives the best advice and the confidence to be the best version of myself. All three of these women have made me the man I am today. I am forever grateful.

Website: www.brockstockroom.com

Instagram: brock_mills

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ABrockMillsReel