Today we’d like to introduce you to Mikayla Brown.
Hi Mikayla, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
**My Journey Behind the Camera**
Hello, everyone,
My name is Mikayla Brown, and I am a professional freelance photographer and videographer. I have been involved in the visual arts for nearly seven years, and when I reflect on the journey that brought me here, it still amazes me.
My passion began when I was 16 years old and enrolled in my first photography class. We worked entirely with manual film cameras, and I immediately fell in love with the process. I wanted to understand everything—from the fundamentals to the more advanced techniques—so I continued taking photography classes throughout high school. Eventually, I saved enough of my own money to purchase my first two cameras: a Canon AE-1 and a Nikon D3500.
When I attended the University of Missouri, I did not pursue a formal degree in film production or visual arts. Instead, I spent those four years teaching myself, practicing constantly, and taking every opportunity I could find. I photographed students, bars, athletic programs, gyms, and clothing brands. One of my favorite experiences was photographing Mizzou athletics.
During my sophomore year, I met Josiah Sanders, who was involved with a traveling film production company and had also taught himself much of his craft. Through Josiah and his team, I learned more about filmmaking, commercial production, and the work that happens behind the scenes. Their passion inspired me to step further into the film industry when I was around 21 years old. I worked on film projects for approximately three years while also photographing and filming weddings alongside Barrett Knox. I was a full-time student with an extremely busy schedule, but I loved every opportunity to grow.
After graduating, I returned to the Chicagoland area and accepted a photography contract with a small company specializing in automotive detailing products. Although the company is no longer in business, the experience taught me valuable lessons about product photography and professional client work. However, I eventually realized that the position was not the right long-term fit for me.
At 23, I thought I had my entire life figured out. I quickly learned that I did not.
When the six-month contract ended, I struggled to find consistent clients and stable work. It felt as though no one wanted to take a chance on me or trust what I could create. I became discouraged, frustrated, and exhausted. Eventually, I stepped away from photography for several months and seriously considered giving it up entirely.
Then, everything began to change.
At approximately 2:00 a.m. on March 6, 2025, I was shopping at Woodman’s Market with one of my high school friends when I met Thomas Reiche near the sushi section. Tom owned an e-commerce marketing agency, and we immediately connected through our shared interest in business and entrepreneurship. That unexpected conversation eventually became a business partnership.
Together, we began building something from the ground up. We combined our strengths, developed our vision, and officially created TMHeadquarters. I will always be grateful to Tom for believing in me and encouraging me to continue pursuing photography and freelance work during a time when I was close to walking away from it.
A few months later, in June 2025, I attended a car show with my camera and met Mackenzie Schranz. I noticed her filming a vehicle while covering the event for its host, so I walked over and started a simple conversation. That conversation became a friendship, a creative connection, and eventually the beginning of something much larger. We began discussing a partnership between UnseenProduction and TMHeadquarters.
In May 2026, that partnership became official. Since then, TMHeadquarters and UnseenProduction have worked together on a growing number of projects for different clients. I am deeply grateful for both Tom and Mackenzie. They have taught me more about business, patience, trust, and the importance of continuing to build even when success does not arrive immediately.
During our first year, we generated real results, earned revenue, built meaningful relationships, and reached milestones we once only imagined. More importantly, we proved to ourselves that our vision could become something real. The journey has also brought us closer—not only as business partners, but as people who genuinely trust and support one another.
I also want to thank my parents for their patience, their honesty, and even the moments when they were hard on me. I know I did not choose the career path they originally imagined for me, and I know my stubbornness sometimes made the journey more difficult. However, I needed to learn certain lessons in my own way. Thank you for loving me while I figured out who I was and what I was meant to pursue.
To every client, supporter, friend, and even the strangers online who have shared our work or encouraged us—thank you. Our photography for Haraz Coffee in Aurora, Illinois, was recently featured on the news, and seeing our work recognized in that way was an unforgettable moment. It reminded me that the smallest opportunities can eventually become some of the most meaningful milestones.
Most importantly, I thank God and continue to place Him at the center of everything I build. My faith has taught me that success is not simply about money, recognition, or how quickly something grows. It is about trusting the path, remaining faithful through uncertainty, and continuing to use the gifts God has given you.
There were moments when I believed closed doors meant I had failed. Looking back, I can now see that some of those doors were simply redirecting me toward the people, opportunities, and purpose I had not found yet.
Sometimes I think about the 23-year-old version of myself—the young woman who was discouraged, unemployed, and ready to put her camera down for good. I wish I could go back and tell her, “Please hold on. The people you have not met yet are already on their way.”
To Tom, Mackenzie, my parents, our clients, and everyone who has supported this journey: from the bottom of my heart, thank you. You did not simply help me build a business. You helped me find my way back to a dream I almost gave up on.
I am still learning, still growing, and still becoming the woman I once prayed I could be. This journey is far from over—and this is only the beginning.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!
No, it has not been a smooth road. One of my greatest struggles has been knowing that I did not attend school for photography or film. Being self-taught gave me independence, but it also meant that I did not always have access to structured training, experienced mentors, industry connections, or the most effective ways of learning. Much of my education came through trial and error, and there were times when I had to correct techniques or habits I had taught myself.
I have experienced a great deal of frustration and regret over not attending a film school or moving to Los Angeles or New York City when I was younger to begin a new life in the film industry. At times, I have wondered how different my career might have been if I had taken that risk and surrounded myself with the right opportunities earlier. I often felt behind people who had received formal training and established professional networks.
After graduating, a six-month photography contract ended, leaving me without stable income or consistent clients. Rejection, financial uncertainty, and the difficulty of earning people’s trust made me question whether photography could truly become my career. I became so discouraged that I put my camera down for several months and nearly walked away from my passion entirely.
Building TMHeadquarters from the ground up brought another set of challenges. I had to learn about pricing, marketing, client relationships, patience, and the reality that success does not happen overnight. There were slow periods, mistakes, and moments when nothing seemed to be moving forward.
Although I still think about the path I could have taken, I have learned that regret cannot build my future—only my actions can. Teaching myself forced me to become resourceful, persistent, and willing to learn from every mistake. I cannot change where I started, but I can control how seriously I continue to learn, grow, and create.
The same camera I once considered putting away for good is now helping me build the future I prayed for—and that makes every difficult moment worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a professional freelance photographer and videographer with nearly seven years of experience. Through TMHeadquarters and our partnership with UnseenProduction, I create visual content for businesses, brands, products, events, weddings, automotive clients, and other creative productions.
I specialize in visual storytelling—creating photographs and videos that are not only visually appealing but also meaningful and useful. Whether the goal is to promote a product, capture the energy of an event, strengthen a company’s brand, or preserve an important memory, I want every image to tell a genuine story. I am especially known for capturing candid moments because people are often at their most authentic when they do not realize the camera is on them.
What sets me apart is my versatility and my understanding of both creativity and business. My experience includes photography, videography, film production, weddings, athletics, product work, and branded content. I do not focus only on making something look good—I consider what the content needs to accomplish for the client. I take the time to understand their goals, communicate throughout the process, and create work that they can confidently use.
What I am most proud of, however, is not one particular photograph, project, or business milestone. I am most proud that I chose to pick up my camera again.
There was a period when I had become discouraged and nearly gave up photography entirely. Meeting Thomas Reiche and Mackenzie Schranz changed the direction of my life. Tom believed in my abilities and encouraged me to continue pursuing freelance work, while Mackenzie inspired me to become more involved in production and creative collaboration. They both helped me rediscover the confidence and passion I thought I had lost.
Picking up my camera again represented more than returning to photography—it meant choosing not to give up on myself. The camera I once considered putting away permanently is now helping me build a business, tell meaningful stories, and create a future I once struggled to imagine. That will always be one of my proudest accomplishments.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The quality that has been most important to my success is perseverance. I have not always had formal training, consistent work, or a clear path forward. There were many moments when I felt discouraged, compared myself to others, and questioned whether I should continue.
What kept me moving was not always confidence, it was the decision to keep learning, accept guidance from the right people, and pick up my camera again. Talent is important, but talent without discipline, patience, and a willingness to grow will only take someone so far.
Pricing:
- Professional Photography-$350-500
- Drone Photography/Videography Service- $500-1500
- Social Media Management/Marketing-$1200-6000
- Web Development-$1500-5000
- Professional Production Filmmaking-$1500-5000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.unseen-productions.com/
- Instagram: @TMHeadquarters
- Facebook: @TMHeadquarters
