For many, discovering a passion can happen in an instant. For KMS Eighth Grader Owen Brown, it all began about two and a half years ago when he picked up a small point-and-shoot camera. "I thought it was kind of fun," he recalls. This initial spark led him to purchase a bigger DSLR camera at a reasonable price. What started as a simple hobby quickly turned into something much more serious. Within the span of just eleven months, Owen had transformed his photography skills into a dedicated craft. "Now, two and a half years later, I've had 3 cameras and taken over 500,000 photos," he shares.
As Owen's passion for photography grew, so did his connection with his Kouts community. "My favorite part of being a photographer is being able to do what I love and connect with the people around me," Owen says. One of the most rewarding aspects of his work is attending sporting events at school and sharing his photos with athletes. "Some people might not even like pictures of themselves until they find the right one, and connecting with people is such a great thing." It's clear that for Owen, photography isn't just about taking pictures; it's about making meaningful connections through those images.
Owen has also had the opportunity to meet people from all corners of the world through his photography journey. "I've been able to meet people so far and wide around the world in my field," he explains. But it’s not just the photographers he connects with; it’s also the parents and individuals he works with, creating bonds over the photos he takes. "For the people who aren't photographers, I've been able to connect with parents and people that I take photos for just over some simple images."
A big part of Owen's growth as a photographer has come from the community support he’s received. "East Porter/Kouts has helped me so much from when I went from 0 followers to where I am now," Owen says. The small, close-knit nature of the community played a huge role in his success. "Once my photos got out to a few people, they got out to everyone," he adds. Additionally, Owen has built solid relationships with key figures at his school, particularly the principals and the athletic director, who have supported his work and provided accommodations to help him grow even further. "I have to thank them for being accommodating to things that I wanted to do around the school to help me grow even more."
For anyone looking to explore Owen’s work, he shares all his photos and projects on his website, owenb-photography.com. Visitors can also find links to his social media pages, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, at the bottom of every page.
Owen's journey in photography is a testament to how a simple spark of interest can lead to a passion that not only fuels creativity, but also brings people together. Whether it's through sports photography or personal portraits, Owen continues to capture moments that matter, all while building lasting connections along the way.
