Interview: Alyssa Broadus - Photographer and Retail Manager for Boulevard Brewing Co.
We like to take time to highlight women we see out in the world doing their part to make the world a little nicer. In this Real Nice Lady Spotlight, we’re talking to Alyssa Broadus, photographer and Retail Manager at Boulevard Brewing Co., about how she keeps her “try” alive and why you shouldn’t have to earn your artist title.
Job Title/Profession
Freelance Photographer + Retail Manager, Buyer & Visual Merchandiser at Boulevard Brewing Co.
Favorite Drink?
Since we’ve been practicing our in-home bartending skills a bit more often since March, one of my go-to’s is -- Tequila + Topo Chico + Grapefruit juice + A few thin slices of raw jalapeño + a wedge of lime. A little spicy, refreshing, and is guaranteed to teleport you to a very happy place!
Favorite Food?
Bun Thap Cam from Vietnam Cafe in Columbus Park
Karaoke Song?
‘Man! I Feel Like a Woman’ by Shania Twain is my go to if I’m a solo act, but if I’m with my friends we directly dive into Joan Osborne’s, ‘One of Us’, (The looks are pretty hilarious!)
What song are you listening to on repeat right now?
Kingston by Faye Webster
Female icon you would be for Halloween?
Sally Ride
Telling as little or as much as you want, how are you feeling these days?
Every dang day is different, amiright?? When the pandemic first hit, my full-time workplace closed for two months to the public, and my freelance photography positions with two different companies either got put on hold or ended. I felt a bit discouraged with how many changes were happening all at once, (as did so many others that I know), but things kept moving so quickly, that I don’t necessarily feel like I had time to process my thoughts & feelings in the beginning, if that makes sense? We had to adapt and adjust fairly quickly and instantly started a curbside & delivery service the week following our closure. I felt beyond thankful to still have a job and a paycheck, but once the dust settled and we were a few months in, the exhaustion & those dang thoughts I hadn’t fully processed finally hit...and it was not the kindest to me. Now, I keep reminding myself that most things are not in the realm of my control 99.9% of the time currently, so all I can do is continue to keep on taking things a day at a time and have a few more beverages/puppy cuddles when needed.
What part(s) of your life during the pandemic have made you rethink your "normal" life?
My world felt like it simultaneously had to speed up while other parts were forced to pump the brakes. I quickly realized how badly I needed those certain parts to slow down, because I had been neglecting myself and any form of true rest for a very long time. (It’s wild how in the moment sometimes you can be completely blind to these things). It forced me to have to sit down with myself and check-in; which was the biggest blessing in disguise. Self-care looks wildly different now & it’s allowed me to really work on letting things go that are out of my control. This time has also brought a new meaning to the term ‘connection’, and how important it is to check in with each other. Some of my most cherished friendships have grown even more due to realizing how badly we needed to be there for another to make it through this. Throughout so much heaviness, this pandemic continues to create a stronger sense of community bond that has brought so many walks of life together for the greater good of KC. It’s amplified the importance of choosing local, supporting small, and really researching companies we buy from; so we can help those artists, makers, and entrepreneurs survive this storm.
What first attracted you to your current profession?
Photography completely happened by a beautiful accident of sorts. I had moved back to Kansas City after college, and so many small businesses were starting to pop up around downtown. I spent hours on my days off driving around & exploring different spaces, and after downloading a few apps to 'edit' my iPhone snaps, I started a blog to share these places in KC with others. That silly blog turned into an outlet for my ‘photography’, and about a year later I was taking product photos for a friend's local business. (I still have an issue of The Kansas City Star where one of my first product photos landed, and it gives me a good chuckle. I had no clue what I was doing & that photo ain’t good!) I loved getting the chance to meet creatives and capture their work; it's still one of my favorite parts of my job.
What is your favorite thing about your industry? Your least favorite?
My favorite thing about this industry is how many different creatives, makers, and hard working humans I've been thankful enough to meet and photograph, (and wouldn't have had the chance to otherwise). There's this feeling of capturing people in their element that is the most rewarding thing I've personally gotten to call, 'work'; and the opportunity to hear someone’s story while watching them create is wildly inspiring to me. I also feel like this industry is becoming more supportive and humans are cheering each other on, especially in 2020 --- the walls are coming down and people are really starting to focus on what makes their work different; and truly when you look at photography as a whole & see how each person brings something incredibly unique to the table, (instead of it being competition), it makes for a beautiful space where everyone can find their niche & create freely.
My least favorite thing is when I hit a creative rut I can’t shake and/or the anxiety that comes with the time I have to create for others. I always want to make sure I'm proud of the work I'm delivering clients, but sometimes the balance of a full-time job and outside ‘life’ in general can cause a lot of personal pressure. I'm still learning how to divide my time so I can adequately do all the things I love, but I have to remind myself at the end of the day, I’m just one human; and I feel really lucky to work in this industry, even if it's on a smaller scale than others.
Who are some of your favorite creatives you've captured over the years?
One of the most special projects I’ve ever been a part of was the Open Belly podcast; and through that experience we were lucky enough to meet so many talented immigrant chefs from Kansas City and New York City. Hearing their struggles & perseverance while helping in the smallest way to be a storyteller for them through the photos we took of their space + food was hands down the most humbling opportunity I’ve had in my career. Danielle Lehman, (the amazing woman behind this project), is one of the most passionate humans I’ve ever met and crossing paths with her was such a defining moment for my photography.
I also feel incredibly grateful to have crossed paths and worked with Savannah Northcraft, (she owned a beautiful little shop called Urban Provisions), because she connected me with so many makers in the KC community that I still work with today. I had very little photography experience when I started taking product photos for her, but she still took a chance on me -- That meant the world.
How do you handle your creative ruts? Do you push through or do you give yourself time to breathe?
If you would have asked me this question a year ago, I would have said, ‘I push through because I don’t have time to hit pause!’ Now, I realize for me personally, that most times a creative rut comes my way I have to take a step back to breathe in order to keep creating; Otherwise, I’m not producing work I’m proud of & that’s not fair to clients or to myself. We live in a world of hustlers and go-getters, and sometimes I think we can’t comprehend that slowing down every once in a while to reset is a good & necessary thing for our noggins. It’s something I’m still adjusting to and working on how to maintain both, but taking the time to rest is just as dang important as the finished product.
How would you describe your creative process?
It might sound silly, but I usually start with a pen & notebook to jot down any initial ideas I have + check out some of my saved photos on different platforms to get a little inspiration depending on the project. There are some shoots that feel so organic and the ideas instantly flow, and then there are times I feel like, ‘I’m not quite sure how I could photograph these same six things any differently.’ Pre-pandemic, I was asked to capture a shoot at a new restaurant, and my first instinct walking into something like that is to look around at textures, walls, furniture, etc. to see what backdrops will work best. (And honestly, a big percentage of the time the lighting I thought I wanted doesn’t work, and after so many times of that making me feel discouraged, I’ve learned you just roll with the punches until you figure out what does) -- I started getting in a groove of picking things up and moving them as many times as needed to get that dang shot. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve stood on chairs, benches or laid on the ground to get a different perspective. You very much get used to the crazy looks and it gives you a good laugh! I think more than anything, that’s been the constant for me being self-taught and not always understanding the technical side of things; just remembering to keep the ‘try’ alive & part of the process – because at the end of the day, it won’t matter so much how you get the shot, but that you did.
What do you want for the future of your industry?
For everyone, (especially women), to feel like they have a place -- no matter if you're self-taught or have taken multiple classes. It took me a long time to consider myself a photographer because I didn't think I had 'earned' that title, since it was a side hustle and not my full-time job; that messed with me for a long time. For anyone trying to connect with photography, my hope to you is that you simply start where you are. Keep experimenting and take the kind of photos that make YOU excited, even if your only tool is a cell phone. Don’t worry about whether your work compares to someone else’s you saw on social media or what the engagement looks like on your first few posts. Say yes to as much as you can & want to, and find a way of editing that makes your photographs feel unique. That reflection of ‘you’ in your work is what is going to capture other’s attention, and surround you with people that truly appreciate what you’re doing; and that’s when it all starts to connect.
What advice would you give other women trying to succeed in your industry?
Lift each other up, no matter what and compliment the heck out of one another. It can be so challenging not to feel like this industry is oversaturated at times, but the difference in everyone's work is what creates so much beauty and admiration in photography. I would have never kept going if I didn't have the support & encouragement of women. There is also so much to be said for continuing to show your support, even when another amazing lady maybe gets a job you were hoping for. There is room for everyone’s success, (including your own!), and the more we remind ourselves that not everything is meant for us, the more time & appreciation we have for the things that are.
What was a formative moment in your life that made you who you are?
My sweet Momma was a single Mother of four, and constantly seeing her work so hard to provide for us was such fuel as I got older. She also started a little photography business on the side, and was my biggest encourager as I started this journey; (I still send her photos of my work after shoots!) Knowing you have someone in your corner, cheering you on and lifting you up is the greatest gift. I am so grateful to her for reminding me to dream big.
A major part of my childhood was spent with my Grandma, and she is absolutely the reason for my optimistic outlook on life. She frequently told me with great softness that things always work out for a reason, while continuing at 95 years old to shower everyone she meets in constant kindness and love; and that kind of human leaves wildly deep impressions with you. Helen will always be the kind of woman I hope to be.
I also know I wouldn't be as far as I am in my photography if it wasn't for my partner, Chris. I've never experienced such kindness from another human being, and he continues to blow me away with how genuinely involved he is with my work. From wanting to look through so many of my galleries, pushing me to keep going when I’m not feeling confident and telling me how proud he is of what I've accomplished; it truly unlocked a door for me to be exactly who I was and not a version of what someone else wanted me to be.
When do you feel the strongest in your life? When do you feel the most vulnerable in your life?
I feel the strongest in my life when I accept new challenges, (and even if I fumble through them & it's not graceful), saying I made it to the other side and learning through each experience makes me feel so strong. I remember getting to work with Riley Brain from Wandering Bud on a photoshoot last year, and feeling SO terrified I was going to mess it up because I had never really done anything in a more editorial style before. Now, we’ve done about three shoots together, and I cannot believe the magic that’s been created. It's a constant reminder to keep going, and knowing that you don't have to stay in one box is a really powerful thing.
I also feel like this is when I feel most vulnerable, imagine that! ;) I'm learning that being vulnerable is a necessary part of life & the process of work for me personally, and even during times when I don't feel like what I’m creating is 'good enough' or I'm not meant for a certain project, that it doesn't discount all the other things I've been able to be part of. Putting yourself out there, regardless of rejection or hurt you might feel in some instances, has in turn provided me with some of the biggest moments of growth that I wouldn’t change for the world.
Who are some creatives that you would love to capture?
1) I would love to create a lookbook for Big Bud Press! Their passion behind bringing size inclusivity to unisex goods, while maintaining ethical practices with their local California manufacturing has made them one of my go-to’s in the apparel world. (And the opportunity to celebrate not only every body, every human, but also every dang color under the sun would be an absolute dream scenario behind the lens!)
2) Girlfriend Collective is a brand that recycles items like plastic water bottles to create workout clothes for women, but not only are they eco-friendly – they celebrate every single body type through their marketing campaigns, which brings me so much joy. It would be a dream to capture strong women feeling confident in their skin + celebrate a sustainable brand in the process.
3) One of the biggest dreams I’ve had would be getting to work with National Geographic! When I was in middle school, I would comb through issue after issue, box after box of my Stepdad’s collection and be mesmerized by the tones and graininess of the photographs. (Subconsciously, this is why I feel like I edit the way I do!) I love the community they’ve built and how many inspiring individuals they work with all over the world.
What have you been doing to maintain your mental health since the pandemic hit?
Desperately trying to give myself some grace and understanding that we’re all doing our best to navigate through these situations daily. None of us have come close to experiencing a pandemic, social movements, an insanely important election year, climate crisis, plus what feels like 100 other little things wrapped into a span of months; so trying to take it one day at a time & reminding myself to only focus on the things in my control. When I wake up, I try not to instantly dive into work emails or social media, and when I leave work I do my best to truly unplug and give myself some space for the night to be with Chris & our pup. It’s honestly the one constant keeping me, ‘kind-of’ sane(ish) ;)
Who are five women that inspire you?
Danielle Lehman, for being an all around badass and amazing human that cares so deeply about others and their success. Yoli Tortilleria owner, Marissa Gencarelli for not only having a full time career that she’s been doing for 15+ years, but creating space to chase her dreams. Artist Jess Macy for her heart, kindness, and amazing talent behind colorbloKC. Maker Riley Brain from Wandering Bud, for constantly being a reminder that women are unstoppable and deserve a seat at the table. And my sweet girlfriends, who lift each other up, provide the biggest belly laughs, and remind me how lucky I am to know them and have them in this life.