“I strongly believe in exploring places around where I live and finding extraordinary beauty nearby, rather than having to go far to shoot amazing places that everyone has already seen quite often.”
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Amelia Le Brun
Landscape photographer based in Germany
Introducing Amelia Le Brun
Born in Germany, raised in Jamaica, Amelia is a landscape and lifestyle photographer. Even though she is currently couch surfing while she rethinks the interior of her van, she normally spends most of her time on the road. As she says, “it is quite tough to describe a typical day for me, as they vary so much. Most days involve a lot of coffee, a dog walk editing and emails!”
While her lifestyle may scare the normal citizen, she feels really lucky: “I am blessed to be able to travel almost constantly and do what I love for a living. I like the freedom and the ability to go pretty much wherever I want, I think I would like to describe my life as ‘nomadic’.”
Why would someone live constantly on the road? When one feels extremely attached to nature, it is easy to imagine why. As Amelia says, “nature is really important for me to stay inspired and avoid burning out. The place where I feel most inspired is undoubtedly by the ocean. Last Summer I took my van and my dog down to the Cornish coast and took about ten days driving, swimming and exploring the coast.” This is precisely why being a landscape photographer can be so rewarding: “The sun shone and I turned off my emails and shot a lot of analogue work. It was so refreshing to reset and remind myself why I do what I do.”
While Amelia continues to progress as a creator, shooting and writing, she took a few moments to share with us some insights into her work and lifestyle as a landscape photographer.
Interview
Welcome Amelia! A pleasure to welcome you to our Talent Pool! Taking a look to your Instagram feed one may think that you are constantly on the road! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, what do you do for a living, and what a normal day in your life looks like?
Hello, it is so lovely to be here among so many talented creators. Thank you for having me. A lot of my time is spent on the road, although I am currently sofa surfing with some very tolerant friends while I rethink my plans and the interior of my van. I am working away for a lot of the Summer but will return to a whole new van for the Autumn. I am a full time freelance photographer and content writer for various travel companies and brands. It is quite tough to describe a typical day for me, as they vary so much. Most days involve a lot of coffee, a dog walk editing and emails. I find it really important to keep on top of work coming in and favour writing things down in a notebook above everything else.
You have been sharing amazing moments along the past years. I guess that being constantly traveling enables you to create visual content on a regular basis. What you like the most about your current lifestyle? Could you define your lifestyle with one word?
I am blessed to be able to travel almost constantly and do what I love for a living. I like the freedom and the ability to go pretty much wherever I want, I think I would like to describe my life as ‘nomadic’, but the reality is more ‘chaotic’ don’t get me wrong, I love what I do but it is never quite as good as it looks online.
Being surrounded by the wild can be certainly a plus when it comes to find inspiration or be more creative for instance. Among all the places you have visited, where did you feel more inspired shooting and why?
It is really important for me to stay inspired and avoid burning out. I find a considerable amount more inspired away from the epic, and well documented locations. I think its really important to go to a place with fresh eyes to avoid being focused on one classic shot. The place where I feel most inspired is undoubtedly by the ocean. Last Summer I took my van and my dog down to the Cornish coast and took about ten days driving, swimming and exploring the coast.
"The sun shone and I turned off my emails and shot a lot of analogue work. It was so refreshing to reset and remind myself why I do what I do."
I guess that you mainly shoot on sunrises and sunsets. Lighting plays a major role in photography. But, for you, what is the most important thing when it comes to create a visual story?
Light is really important, but I don’t believe it is the be all and end all of a good photo. Conveying emotion is in my opinion, key to a good photo. I simply cannot get caught up in obsessive planning and rushing for a specific time. I think doing this for my job means that I need to keep it fun, I have to find joy in shooting and hiking, or there is really no point in my working at all.
Could you describe your editing style with an example?
I tend to edit to a darker style, I think a lot of this has stemmed from influences online, but what remains true is my analogue edge. I learnt to shoot on an old film camera at eight years old and embraced imperfections, grain and light leaks. It adds a more organic element to editing.
You are creating art with a defined style. In my opinion you are a great visual story teller, especially when it comes to convey emotions such as freedom or wanderlust for instance. In your opinion, what three strategies have allowed you to grow more as an artist and reach your current level?
Thank you for those kind words! I have grown a lot in my work with time, I have never needed to rush, and I was lucky enough to not need a full time job to support myself when I started taking photos. I have also found it is really important to avoid comparing yourself and your work to other people, or those you admire. There is no set path for each of us, and some simply learn or develop faster than others. Ask questions and reach out to people you admire.
"One can simply never stop learning so it is key to talk about ideas and share inspiration."
Taking a look to your website one can see that you have worked with many well-known brands already! Congrats for that! When it comes to find clients, what is more important in your opinion: the number of followers you have on social media or the quality of your work?
Thank you, it has been quite a worldwind and I still feel rather numb to the work I am doing. I think there is undoubtedly an argument for follower count being important, and it actually really frustrates me when creators with a huge following talk about numbers not being important. We all want to be recognized for what we do, and reassurance is just human nature. That being said, I am working on creating more work outside of social media. My aim is to create work that will outlive the fast paced world of social media, while still appealing to my online viewers.
Do you still remember your first work as a photographer? 🙂 Looking back in time, what four pieces of advice would you give to yourself? What is the one thing you wish you knew at the beginning of your career as a photographer?
My first job was for Barbour, they sent me a new product and I was over the moon. I long to go back to a time where I was ignorant to comparison. I would tell my younger self to have faith in my work and belief in my ability to do anything I set my mind to. Don’t work so hard to fit in and try so hard to be cool (Brutally honest!) Work hard and don’t stop growing.
You have traveled extensively…So I guess that there must be a reason for all those trips! 🙂 What it is that you enjoy so much traveling around the world? Do you think that traveling is a good way to grow as a person? Why?
I love seeing new places, and exploring things I don’t understand. My aim in life is to do good and push my comfort zone as much as I can. I think travelling reminds me of my childhood so strangely it is rather comforting.
"I think travelling is a super exciting and interesting way to grow, but it does not come with increased anxiety."
Conscious travel is something I push as a brand and as an individual. So many countries have very different cultures and traditions and it is exceptionally important to respect and be aware of those. It is really important to know the darker end of travel and tourism and be aware of the places you are supporting and promoting through social media.
Is there any artist/photographer who has inspired your art? Can you name three?
"A lot of my influences come from other young/ present creators and artists."
My main inspiration is undoubtedly Adrienne Pitts (@hellopoe) she was my mentor on my first job abroad off the coast of Australia. It was huge and I was so nervous but she offered me nothing but support and love and has pushed me to grow as a photographer and storyteller. Michael Flugstad is a constant source of inspiration, his work is gloriously natural and I can almost feel myself through his photos. James Barkman is a solid and lovely example of van life at its best. His analogue work is truly inspiring.
Any new projects coming up or countries you will be visiting soon?
I have some brilliant jobs and trips lined up, starting with a month reindeer herding in Finland for the finnish tourist board which will be an incredible experience. I am then hoping to take my van over to Norway for a month road trip with my dog Pig.
"Come the autumn I have a few trips currently being firmed up which I am very excited to share."
I will continue to explore the UK and Europe as work comes in. I am a fairly relaxed traveller and the feeling of a place will always be more important than an incredible view.
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