Meet Brandon Silvera | Photographer / Content Creator / Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brandon Silvera and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brandon, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“Life is what you make it”. It’s a very cliche thing to say but it’s simple and so is life. Everything is in control and your control only. Having a lot of anxiety and being someone who overthinks a lot just overcomplicated my life. I’ve been on the verge of just giving up so many times. I got to a point where I couldn’t deal with anything anymore and I just had to step all the way back and analyze my life. I needed to find out why I was in the position I was in and why I feel the way I feel about things. Who or what can I put the blame on? To my surprise, it was me the whole time. Everything that I’ve ever done or been through only took place because of my own decisions. Nobody can control the way you react or respond. Nobody can make you do anything unless you want to or feel like you need to. You always have a choice. Once I realized that, everything changed. I quickly realized the only person holding myself back and creating an unhappy life, was me. So yeah. Life is really what YOU make it. Nobody else.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always been an artist in some way. Besides photography, I play guitar and I used to draw a lot when I was younger. Drawing started it all really. I was pretty natural at it. Looking back, I’ve always been a visual person. I prefer movies over books. I learn better by seeing rather than having to only listen or read information. Sometimes I think I’m stupid because of it but who says theres one way to learn anything? I always liked taking photos and capturing moments. A camera was just a tool for me to save memories early on. Then I got on the internet and got inspired by all the photos I would see. I realized there was much more to a photo than it just being a photo. I started to see the art in it. Because of that, I started to look at things differently and wanted to be able to capture what I saw. Photography gave me the ability to share what I saw with other people. I’m proud of everything I’ve created. I was able to do many of the things I thought were impossible. It’s the best feeling in the world. I’m excited for what the future holds and what else I can use my camera to create. That’s all I want to do in life. Create. None of it was easy. Nothing in life is easy. But I love a challenge and I don’t know how to give up. It’s my competitive nature and stubbornness. I’ve learned a ton of lessons along the way. The most important one was to not focus on what other people are doing and focus on what you’re trying to accomplish. Nothing else matters. Comparing yourself can be destructive and discouraging. I learned to only find inspiration in others peoples work. If they can do it, so can I and I figure out how to reach my goals. I don’t really know what I want people to know about me, my story or my brand. Knowing I exist and hoping I inspire people is all that really matters. I like to let my work speak for me. It’s a reflection of myself.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them all over the place. Collins and Ocean Drive are a must always. Brickell, Wynwood and Design District too. I gotta take em to all my favorite taco spots in the city. South Florida is so diverse and special. You can go anywhere and have a good time. Theres so much to do and see, you could really just go out with no plan and have a good time.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I definitely want to shoutout my parents specifically. We have our differences but they always supported me through everything. They play a big role in my success and I’m forever grateful for everything they’ve done. I also want to give a shoutout to every person I’ve ever met or encountered. They all had an impact on me in some way shape or form. Big or small, positive or negative. It doesn’t really matter. They all play their role in who I’ve become and where I’m at.

Website: 954mm.com

Instagram: instagram.com/954mm

Twitter: twitter.com/954px

Youtube: youtube.com/954mm