#032 John D. Russell | Creative Assets for Your Brand

John D. Russell is a professional photographer and creative director based out of Manhattan Beach, CA. A good friend of Brandon's for the last 15 years, John works with brands across the globe to help them create powerful content that effectively conveys what companies have to offer to their customers. He can count Toyota, Ford, Skechers, Habitat for Humanity among his clients and has photographed celebrities such as John Legend and Magic Johnson. To John, photography isn't just a career but a passion that change the course of his life for the better.

In this episode, John explains how photography provided him with guidance during a very dark period in his life, suggest ways influencers can more effectively work with the photographers they hire, and reveals how one of his favorite brands has very little to do with brands at all.

The Finer Details of This Episode:

• How photography got John through a very turbulent period in his young life.
• The comment from a complete stranger that sent John down the path to professional photography.
• What pushed John to make his life-changing decision and kept him on the straight and narrow.
• John describes some of his more memorable experiences working as a photographer and what traits have kept him afloat and sought-after in his profession.
• Why John believes it's essential for new business owners to focus on their value proposition.
• Why influencers should have very clear intent when working with a photographer.
• The reason John believes selling is more important than branding—and how we should think of selling from a different perspective.
• Which brands John likes, which ones he trusts, and why he believes Burning Man is doing something different and important.
• The one major thing John would do differently if he could start his career over from scratch.

Quotes:

"Photography became my outlet."

"I made a pact to myself very early on in the midst of tremendous pain and suffering that I wouldn't become a victim."

"My network has given me opportunities to have these incredible experiences."

"When you're given an opportunity, you have to show up."

"People don't do business with brands; they do business with people."

"I think creating value and helping people comes first."

"Everything you ever wanted in your life is on the other side of fear."

Mentions:

Burning Man, Facebook, Instagram, Uber, Airbnb, Delta Airlines, The Giving Spirit

Guest Links:John's homepage - https://www.johndrussell.com/

John's professional Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/john.d.russell/

John's personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/myeyescapture/

John on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/johndrussellphoto/

Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com

Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community

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