Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Cummings.
Hi Brian, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
“It’s such a fine line between stupid and clever”.
Born and raised in North Carolina, my world view was formed by daily big gulp doses of pop culture via television and movies. As a kid, I would escape to the solitude of a movie theatre, my favorite place to be. TV was my babysitter and films my teachers. They shaped my sense of humor and skewed my world view. Why else would an 11 year old want to be a standup comedian?
Years later, I found myself in the art world originally wanting to be an illustrator. After I discovered that I couldn’t draw, I majored in graphic design. After four years, I graduated with a BFA in graphic design from Appalachian State University. In the late 1900’s, I found my first career opportunity working in a small ad shop in my home town of Greensboro, NC.
In 1999, I relocated to St. Louis, MO for an opportunity to work on Bacardi USA, as a senior art director. Over the next nine years I worked my way up to senior creative director and help build a start up agency.
After 13 years, it felt like every day was time to make the doughnuts and I wasn’t following my true passion. I realized that what I wanted was to direct. So, I had two choices, go to film school or join a local photography studio where I could learn lighting and studio production. Not enjoying poverty, I chose to follow what I knew and a pursue photography. Lucky me, this was in October 2007, just six months before the world economy collapsed. Success!
In 2012, I set out and built my own studio, pursing film while building a photography business. I love this side of the commercial field. As I often say, we get paid to go back stage to places people would give their right arm to see. No two jobs are the same and everyday is a new challenge.
As a creative, complacency is the kiss of death. Restarting and becoming a novice has kept me engaged and my wits sharp. I love the problem solving each project brings and the challenges of an ever changing field. Where are with AI, I don’t know or think about it. Nothing happens to us, only for us. As an artist, our jobs are to envision the world around us. That can be commercial art or my garden in my back yard. One way or another, I will create. I know nothing else.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nothing is a smooth road. How else would we learn. I have stayed in one place often longer that I should out of fear.
Often, I have let fear dictate my direction.
My greatest struggle has been not trusting my instincts and trying to fit in.
I’ve adapted too often to what I think the client wanted as opposed to what I think they need.
Listen to your inner voice. That’s our job.
The world needs that inner voice. Look around, everything looks the same.
What inspired me? That’s what it has to come back to.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am commercial director and photographer with a background in graphic design. The best way to describe my work is kitschy or satirical. I love contrast, whether it be hot/cold, dark/light, or dramatic/humor. I don’t always know what motivates me, but I try and follow my instincts. Bold colors or contrast in light inspire me.
I will tell any commercial artist starting out, you have to make it for yourself before anyone will hire you. There are a couple of projects that this has happened for me.
The first one was for a start up skateboard company. The owner made limited edition boards and was offering the boards for any projects that needed props. I asked, why not we create a look book campaign for you. This turned into one of my favorite films where we used the former skate park in Sk8 Liborius, a closed Catholic temple (we were the first to shoot there). Sadly it burned down a few years back. This project became a beast of it’s own and lead to exceptance in the Berlin Fashion Film Festival.
The second project was during Covid. One of my wardrobe stylist had posted exterior photos of a home renovations of her house. It looked like a retro Palm Springs set. I turned this into a kitschy concept, “I Know What You Didn’t Do Last Summer”. The lead image was a coiffed gentleman in retro/modern attire standing in front of an exploding Weber Grill. This series took off and landed a huge pharma shoot the following year. So, always be creating. You never know who is watching.
What sets me apart from others, is just my taste. Do not take that as arrogance. Everyone has taste. It’s just what flavors do you like to mix. Sometimes it’s the last two things you’d expect.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What do I like about STL?
It’s affordability. Currently, I am dealing with a rare medical condition and we are home to some of the nations best medical teaching hospitals. I love Forest Park and that the museums are free and so in-depth. St. Louis has a rich history (good and bad) and is home to some robust neighborhoods.
What do I like least about STL?
I have lived here for 27 years and at times, I still feel like an outsider. St. Louis is a bit cliquish and the racial divide is shameful (and I am from the south). St. Louis has the bones to be an incredible city. It just needs to get out of it’s own way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://briancummings.com
- Instagram: briancummingsstudio
