By Kareena Dhillon
Staff Writer
Mira Costa alumnus Brent Broza has turned a hobby into a lifestyle as he pursues a career in photography; Broza takes pictures of nature, the South Bay and famous music artists such as Jack Johnson and the Descendents.
Broza is a Manhattan Beach native and graduated from Costa in the class of 1987. He picked up photography a few years ago as a hobby but has now turned it into a career. Broza has made a name for himself by shooting artists such as Shepard Fairey and Greg “Craola” Simkins.
“I just love [photography],” Broza said. “You get to do whatever you want and go anywhere around the world. You can create new stuff. Experiment. There are really no boundaries with it. A bunch of people do it and everybody’s got different ideas.”
Broza likes to photograph things that personally interest him, particularly interesting lifestyles, artists, sports and music, Broza said. His passion for music led him to capture important moments in the careers of notable singers such as Jack Johnson during the performance and production of his album ,“En Concert,” in 2008. Broza’s photos are on the CD booklet and the photos on his website.
Take a look at Broza’s website with all of his artwork and upcoming fundraisers.
“I’ve seen the adventure of photography completely consume Brent,” longtime friend and fellow photographer Stephen Zeigler said. “At a certain point, everything changed for him. What was once a simple trip down to the beach to check out the waves became something more: an opportunity to create and to become acutely aware and mindful of his surroundings.”
After living in Hawaii for three years as a fine wine salesman, Broza received a call that his dad had terminal cancer. Broza then quit his corporate job to take care of his father at his home in Manhattan Beach and later noticed a camera on the table of their Southern California home. Broza began to take the camera and go shoot photos of the waves and sunsets in Manhattan Beach.
“When I was on breaks from watching him, I would take his camera and go shoot photos,” Broza said. “It was a way for me to release some energy during a dark time for me. If that camera weren’t there, I don’t think I would be doing photography today.”
Broza has had his work published in popular tabloids such as Surfer Magazine, American Music Press Magazine and CBS Newsletter cover. He has also done fundraisers to help the Doug Schneider Memorial, the Jimmy Miller Foundation and a Hurricane Sandy Relief Fundraiser by selling raffle tickets that were entered into a drawing for a chance to win a piece of his art. Broza’s work can be found at the Riley Arts Gallery, Shorewood Realty in Manhattan Beach and Coldwell banker Richard Ellis corporate offices in El Segundo. Broza sells his art on his website and also at the Riley Arts Gallery throughout the community.
“Brent has a unique style for how he shoots where he comes into a situation quite loosely as to what he’s going to shoot and what to expect,” Ziegler said. “But at a certain point something seems to click, and he becomes very focused and concentrated in his work. He bounces between these drastic focal lengths with an ease that I’ve rarely seen in many photographers.”
Visit the Riley Arts Gallery and learn more about their featured artists.
Some photographers who inspire Broza include Leroy Grannis, who was dubbed “the godfather of surf photography;” Ansel Adams who highlighted the “natural beauty” of the West; and Chris Burkard, a Southern California-based surf photographer, Broza said.
“You get ideas or concepts and try to apply them differently, a little bit here and there,” Broza said. “You pick up a concept and apply it your own way, without just doing exactly what they’re doing.”
Photography has allowed Broza to travel around the world to places like Cuba, nephew Logan Broza said. Broza’s art will also be showcased in local group art events, including an art show called “Hey Turkey,” taking place on Thanksgiving eve in Hermosa Beach.
Click here to visit the photo essay.
“I think photography is amazing since you’re able to capture a moment of time, a fraction of time,” Broza said. “I love it; I mean, it changed my life. I’m having a lot of fun doing it, and I’m happy about the path that I’ve chosen to pursue with my life.”
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