Today we’d like to introduce you to Brook Lyons.
Brook, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I didn’t grow up dreaming of being a photographer; I grew into it by obsessing over what it takes to get a great photo (angles, posing, lighting, camera settings, people skills, etc.) then watching people come alive in front of my lens. The moment I realized this wasn’t just a craft but my calling was when a woman looked at her portraits and cried. She told me that she didn’t see herself as beautiful, interesting, or special but seeing herself through my eyes changed how she saw herself. That moment hit me like a freight train in the best way. I realized what I really do isn’t just photography. I help people see themselves the way the people who love them already do.
Since then, it’s been years of refining, learning, experimenting, and building a portrait experience that feels intentional from start to finish. I love to take time to plan, coach, and create something meaningful. Photography has taken me places I didn’t expect, introduced me to incredible people, and genuinely changed how I see the world. That moment shifted everything for me. I understood that my role wasn’t just photographer. It was guide, encourager, witness to the quiet magic inside people who don’t always see it themselves. I committed to creating a portrait experience that feels thoughtful, calm, and deeply human. And step by step, client by client, I built a business rooted in connection, confidence, and genuine celebration.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Life is a crazy roller coaster and is always throwing you curves so taking that leap to leave my corporate job and golden parachute to fly solo with no guarantees was one of the scariest things I have even done. Like many creatives, I wondered if my dream was too big, if I had the talent to really make it, if I was good enough to stand out in the crowd. There were many days of doubt and seasons of trying to find my way, balancing family life with business growth, and pushing through imposter syndrome more times than I care to admit. I questioned my skills, questioned myself, and days when I wondered if I should play it safe and go back to a “real job”. But every time someone relaxed in front of my camera, let their guard down, and felt seen, I felt that deep sense of purpose again and knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
What carried me through wasn’t luck. It was people. The ones who trusted me early. The ones who came back. The ones who told their friends not just “you need to see her work,” but “you’re going to feel so amazing working with her and love the results.” That faith fueled me long before I ever felt “established.”
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in high-end senior portraits, personal branding portraits, and action dance photography. My work is about creating amazing art and crafting an intentional, luxury experience that doesn’t feel uncomfortable, distant or stiff. I coach, I plan, I guide my clients every step of the way so they never feel unsure or awkward. We build comfort first, then beauty naturally follows.
The heartbeat of my work is helping people feel like themselves… but elevated. Stronger. Softer. Proud. I pay attention. I create space. I watch for the tiny moment where someone stops performing and simply is. That’s where the magic lives. My clients will tell you it’s the experience that sets me apart. It feels intentional and warm, almost like you’re being photographed by a friend who just happens to be extremely invested in how incredible you look and feel. I truly believe portraits should improve your perspective and life, not just document it.
I’m also passionate about giving back. I created a program for teens called This Is Me, focused on confidence, connection, and self-worth. Every month I bring kids together, we talk about empowerment and mental wellness, they hear from community speakers, and yes, we take portraits that help them see themselves in a new light. It fills my heart in a way I can’t fully describe. Giving back isn’t an afterthought for me. It’s part of why I do this.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to expand into travel portraits, where families or entrepreneurs can hire me to capture them on location and feel comfortable and confident with the experience and results. I’m also launching a fine art landscape print collection because the more I travel and explore, the more I want people to have access to the way I see the world – to artwork that feels calming, meaningful, and REAL in their homes and offices. The world is full of beauty, and I want to bring people with me into those moments, whether they step in front of the camera or hang the finished art on their walls.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My family has been my foundation from day one. They believed in me long before I had proof things would work, and that kind of support is a gift not everyone gets. They are my biggest cheerleaders and tell me how proud they are often – it melts my heart. I don’t take it lightly and am grateful every day for them.
And early in my journey, Janice Boes of Pierpont Place gave me one of the most meaningful breaks of my career. She trusted me to photograph her team, events, weddings, and venue setups when I was still finding my footing. That opportunity helped me build skills, confidence, and experience I still draw from today.
And honestly, my network matters as much as my camera gear. Mentors, family, and friends who cheer loudly and quietly, clients who return again and again, business owners who trust me to help build their business, and everyone who refers me to others. I wouldn’t be here without them. Relationships have built my business and fueled me personally. When someone finishes their portrait experience and tells a friend, “This was the most comfortable and meaningful photography experience I’ve ever had, and it was worth every penny,” that’s everything. That’s why I do what I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brooklyons.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooklyonsphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/affinityphotostudio
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brooklyonsphotography/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/affinity-photo-studio-ogden
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brooklyonsphotography
