Dead Boy Productions

Shannon Brooke is a well-known and well-respected photographer from Orange County, California. She is known for shooting pin up models and most recently ads for West Coast Choppers. Deadboy recently got the chance to talk with Shannon about her job and got to meet her in person at the Hootenanny. She is a fantastic person and an awesome photographer. 

How did you become interested in photography? 
 
My aunt gave me an old Nikon F series from the 1970's and I was like, "What the fuck do I do with this?!"  I ended up taking a photography class at Saddleback JC.  I still wasn't sure about shooting until I got a pretty girl in front of the lens.  She wasn't a model just one of my girlfriends, but when she saw the result in print she was like "OMG I didn't know I was pretty!"  From then on I knew I wanted to make women feel beautiful.   It is so gratifying to make a woman feel like everyone else sees them to be: empowered and gorgeous. 
 
How exactly does one become educated in photography (what kind of things do 
you learn and where were you educated in photography?

My boss once told me, "School gets in the way of learning."  Which on a huge note he was right...I have learned by DOING not by sitting in a classroom picking my nose. Although I did end up going to school at Brooks Institute of Photography which the motto there is "Learn by doing."  I graduated in 2006 in commercial/ advertising, but I feel like I will never stop learning. If I ever become satisfied with my work that is the moment I am no longer a growing artist.  I look at my work and think “Wow I could have done so much more to make this from good to amazing!” 
 
I read on your website how more and more you are featuring hot rods in your work and that this was a tribute intentional or subliminally to your dad. Were you around cars your whole life and if so how did it all of a sudden start appearing in your work?

Yes, cars have been in my life since the day I was born...I was practically born into an auto body shop business.  My father is the most incredible auto body specialist, a genius at that.  I didn't purposely start shooting cars, it just happened and I realized it is because they are such a happy part of my life....my father.  He and my mother are so supportive of what I do and I am so lucky to have that. 
 
You bring a really retro feel into you work how did you get into this style of work?

I was greatly inspired by Vargas and George Petty at the beginning of my photo career, and I would have to say it's because the women are so powerful in their images.  They are classic and are so sexy but not trashy.  Their innocent faces portray happiness and comfort where as their bodies scream perfection, and unruly naughtiness.  All this in one package and not one is spreading their legs or showing anything pornographic.  That's how a lady should be viewed...powerful and classy.

Who comes up with the scenery and setting for the photos, do you, the model or a little of both? 
I am the boss of everything! That's how I work!  ::giggles:: 

But really most of the time I choose location, lighting, and composition and the model grabs the outfits.  I try to give them as much inspiration as I can for finding their wardrobe, with pictures and drawings then it's up to them to bring the goods! 
 
What would you say is the hardest part of your job? How about the funnest part?

The hardest part is executing somebody else’s vision.  When I am hired for work I have to setup an image that captures what the client wants. Sometimes it isn't the easiest task to get on the same page with them.   
 
The funnest part is rubbing lotion on the girls.  ha ha But really I think it is preproduction (playing dress up) chatting with the Makeup Artist, Stylists and Model. 

What have been some of the most difficult visions of a client to execute?  On the same page what have been some of the easiest ones?

Depending on the lighting and time of day, some clients want something that may be a little harder to execute in that particular location. Let’s say the sun ends up being righ tin the model’s face…well she will be squinty. The best situation would be to always backlight the model with the sun and fill from the front. I don’t think that any job is “easy” all the jobs I get involve a lot of thought and preproduction. I like to call myself a problem solver first and a photographer second.   
Most of your work is of pinups. What is it about the whole pinup fashion that intrigues you?

Most people would not agree, but I think girls look better with some sort of style than with their clothes off.  It gives them personality and imagination.  It’s all about the tease! 
 
You also do promo shots and even album covers for bands. How did you get started in this? Are the types of bands you have shot the style that you are into personally into?

Creative people are my favorite!  Musicians are around me all the time, and I am so inspired by sound and the art of making music.  I love shooting bands because my vision is inspired from listening to their music.  It's a cool way to brainstorm. 
 
Let's talk about music for second. How big of an influence would you say music is to your work? Who are some of your favorite musicians? 

My music taste is so fucked up! 
AC/ DC 
Nirvana 
Hole 
Flaming Lips 
Sonic Youth 
Tom Petty 
Misfits 
Mad Sin 
Nekromantix 
Hank III 
Mike Ness 

What is next for you? Are you going to continue to do pinup and subcultural style work or would you rather expand into something else as well?

I have definitely been expanding my horizons into the fashion scene as well as the editorial world. I am really enjoying shooting with film lately using the cross processing methods and hi grain black and white film. 

Is there anything else you would like to add? 
I love my fucking job!

How would people interested in your work get a hold of you? 
www.shannonbrookeimagery.com 
www.myspace.com/shannonbrooke