Hey there. My name is Brandon Conklin, but my friends call me Brando. I’m a freelance photographer based in Los Angeles, California.

I started this Substack in 2021 with the title ‘Words From a Fool,’ back when my sole creative focus was on writing. I published a handful of essays and short stories over the next few years.

Now, in 2025, I have returned.

Why ‘No Straight Lines’?

Mainly, I wanted a fresh breathe of life to this thing. Like ‘Words From a Fool,’ this title is personal — a homage to the creative journey, and of life itself, where ‘No Straight lines’ refers to the fact that linear progression is largely a myth.

The best we can do is simply show up everyday with intention. Where that leads us is the great surprise.

In this newsletter, you'll find:

Both personal and professional photo projects, book and other recommendations, social observations, workflow updates, random adventures, and other things I’d want to discover on the internet myself.

Unlike before, when I was trying to write from a place of literary gusto, my approach will now aim to be more journalistic in its simplicity. My promise is that a deep consideration will be granted to each newsletter I end up sharing.

I have been earning a living from photography since October of 2022 and my work still remains in the early stages of development. I will not claim to have found my “style,” or act like I am some great artist who knows what he is doing. In fact, I know it will take me at least 10 years to be good at what I do; perhaps a lifetime to be great.

Consider this publication a documentation of my journey, for which I hope opens a line toward the creation of a community, so that we can all share progress along the meandering paths of our lives.

Website: brandoconklin.com
Instagram: @conktales
YouTube: @brandoconklin