Brian Carlson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Brian, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Just the other day I successfully used AI to create a job tracking spreadsheet that allows me to see the percentage of jobs I’ve been awarded, jobs I’ve been turned down for, the type of work the jobs were, days spent on pre-production/set/post, estimate gross & revenue, etc. The goal is to see where I’m winning and where I need to refine. I was proud it didn’t take me 4 days to do!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Brian Carlson, and I run Brian Carlson Stills & Motion. I’m a commercial photographer and director based in Central Florida. I shoot people and the stories around them for brands of all sizes, in both stills and motion. After 20+ years in the lifestyle and advertising world, I’ve learned my job is simple: make folks feel comfortable, think on my feet, and cut through the noise to the heart of a story. My background in documentary work keeps things honest; my commercial chops keep it polished and on time. Recent projects span tourism, healthcare, and portraits, and I’m currently building out new brand films, image libraries, and a long-term documentary project. If you need a calm, collaborative crew that gets the job done without the drama, that’s us.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I spent three years living in Ethiopia. One afternoon I dropped a friend at his house. He’s a kind, steady, family-first guy. In a lot of ways, a better man than me. As he walked inside, it hit me how little he had compared to me. Not because he lacked character or effort, but because life had dealt us very different hands.
That moment cracked something open. I stopped telling myself a tidy story about merit alone. So much of life is luck of the draw. Where you’re born. When you’re born. Who you happen to meet on a Tuesday. Effort matters, but it is definitely not the whole story.
Since then I’ve tried to live with more gratitude and responsibility. Use what I’ve been given to help where I can. In my work, it shows up as listening first, treating people with dignity, and chasing the heart of a story instead of the shiny parts. It keeps me grounded, curious, and a little more generous with how I see others and the world around me.
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
I really miss the time before the internet & social media. I was younger, so maybe that’s half of it, but it feels like we were more civil, kinder, and healthier. I also miss being able to eat ice cream without worrying about my health.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Oh man. I’d love to have had lunch with Mr. Rogers. Thankfully I grew up in a time where he was on TV. And thankfully we didn’t have cable, so it was either watch him or Jerry Springer. I’ve done a lot of reading about him, his ethos, and his life. From everything I’ve read he seems like a saintly man. I admire how pursued his vocation, and everyone he met, with purpose.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Paying taxes & reading the news.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.briancarlsonimages.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcarlsonimages
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bcarlsonimages/
Image Credits
© Brian Carlson
