Today we’d like to introduce you to Bobbi Jo Brooks Tom.
Bobbi Jo, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
You could say my creative journey began when I got my first Polaroid as a young child, or when I took art in middle school, but one of the most significant events of my life that really launched me down this path was my visit to Sighisoara, Romania while in college in 1999.
The medieval, fortified city enchanted me; the architecture, so different from what I had always known, begged me to stop and look again. But it was the encounters I had with the people that impacted me the most. Being invited into their homes, learning their stories, and sharing home-cooked meals over beautiful table settings invited me to savor conversations and relationships. With my 15 rolls of film, I sought to capture not only what I saw, but the stories of the people I met, hoping to share them with my family at home who had never traveled outside the US. Romania taught me to be still, to listen, to pay attention to detail, and to savor well-prepared meals and thoughtful conversation. It taught me to dig deeper to understand people and introduced me to beautiful traditions I had never experienced before.
When I returned to the States, I landed my first job in social work: helping juvenile sexual offenders in a medium-security facility. The immense amount of pain, hurt, and destruction I saw in my clients and the crimes they’d committed weighed heavily on my heart; it was ugly and messy. As a social work student, I wanted to save the world, but while I knew this line of work meant dealing with complicated situations, I was overwhelmed by the reality of the darkness I saw. I knew I needed to be deliberate about finding the good if I wanted to keep my sanity. So, I borrowed my roommate’s camera and hunted for beauty. I began making greeting cards and taking portraits of my roommates, which led to photographing their weddings. I used my renewed creative practices to teach my clients about empathy and understanding others’ perspectives, while also finding greater peace within myself.
I worked in Atlanta from 2004-2014 but then left from 2015 – 2020 to work in Berlin, Germany in Community Development and Culture Making. These years were life changing and greatly influenced my photography as well as art practice. I returned to Atlanta right before COVID hit with the goal of returning to Germany but my plans and directions changed after meeting and marrying my now husband, Clyf.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some of my biggest struggles have been finding my voice and the direction I wanted to take. Initially, I bought into the lie that you can’t make a successful business in art, and I battled with bowing to others’ expectations of me rather than listening to my inner guidance and who I was created to be. My time in the nonprofit world was foundational, but it built upon my belief that I would always need another job to support my artistic practice, leaving me only “leftover time” to dedicate to creativity. Now, as I transition into the life of a full-time artist, I’m finding that my increased freedom comes with the need to discover what I really want, which can be harder than it sounds.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My Work and Where I Am Now I left the nonprofit world after 17 years to pursue art and photography full time. I’m an Atlanta/North-Georgia-based fine artist and photographer providing portrait photography for families, life events, the occasional wedding, lifestyle/branding, and dance.
I’m also an abstract painter and mixed media installation artist interested in exploring the brokenness of life, the joyful moments, and the beauty that comes in between. In recent years I’ve begun making abstract pieces with ash to symbolize mourning and the beauty we can create from our grief. I love teaching art to others and providing tactile experiences. My business, like life, is multifaceted, reflecting my many interests. While they may seem disparate, I approach each part with a unifying artistic eye.
I’m big on personal interaction, whether collaborating with photography clients for an authentic shoot or creating an interactive fine art experience with my community. Creativity isn’t just my job; it’s my life and my passion. My experience as a social worker developed my ability to truly see people, make connections, and capture their stories and personalities with accuracy and compassion. My work invites the viewer to pause, turn down the volume, and recognize our humanity and fragility in fleeting moments.
I enjoy nothing more than capturing the love and beauty that exist within families. Connecting with children, helping them relax and shine in front of the camera, and capturing each individual’s personality fills me with joy. No family is too much for me; I approach every session like a gathering of friends, laid-back and full of fun.
In our fast-paced age, beauty is underappreciated and memories are quickly forgotten. The world keeps spinning, but I believe that by slowing down just a little, you can hold onto those memories forever.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Although it’s what I do all day, it may surprise others how much I adore creating! I also love networking; it feeds my soul on a deep level when I am able to meet a need for someone else by connecting them to people I know. Perhaps the most surprising fact about me is that I am an organized artist (even if my studio space may never reflect it)! I take great joy in executing a project well.
Contact Info:
- Email: bobbijo@bobbijobrooks.com
- Website: www.bobbijobrooks.com
- Instagram: bobbi.jo.brooks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bobbijobrooksstudio
Image Credits
Image of Bobbi Jo Brooks Tom by Ioana Bultoc, Berlin, Germany Rest of the images are by me, Bobbi Jo Brooks Suzy Shultz by Bobbi Jo Brooks Tom Omari Simmons by Bobbi Jo Brooks natalia.joyy by Bobbi Jo Brooks
