FXBG Neighbors Podcast
Fredericksburg Neighbors Podcast
FXBG Neighbors Podcast
EP #83 How A Single Camera And Grit Built A Thriving Local Photography Brand
A single Black Friday camera and a lot of grit—Tyrone Brown’s path with Clean Images proves you don’t need the fanciest gear to build a real photography business. We invited Tyrone to share how a college side project turned into a trusted Fredericksburg brand, why he still centers photography over video, and what it takes to capture both intimate portraits and large community events with clarity and heart.
We dig into the practical stuff aspiring photographers ask about: how to start with limited equipment, the myth of “must-have” gear, and the systems that make a small operation feel professional. Tyrone walks through his workflow from inquiry to delivery, explains why consistent communication beats flashy tech, and breaks down how he covered events like Treats on the Street and Art Attack for the Fredericksburg Visitor Center. Along the way, he offers a candid look at social media—how perfectionism can stall momentum, and how sharing visible growth builds trust with clients and fans.
Beyond the craft, we talk community and sustainability. Tyrone’s YouTube interviews spotlight local artists and creatives, creating a network where collaboration drives discovery. He also shares how moving to Fredericksburg, exploring downtown spots, and prioritizing self-care help him stay present behind the lens. If you’re launching a photography business or refining your brand, you’ll leave with clear, actionable insights on storytelling, client experience, and building a reputation that lasts.
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Tyrone Brown
Clean Images
Youtube: @TyRango
Instagram: clean.images
This is the Fredericksburg Neighbors Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Dori Stewart.
Speaker:Welcome back to another episode of the FXBG Neighbors Podcast, where we share the stories of our favorite local brands. I have a special guest joining me today. We have Tyrone Brown with Clean Images. Tyrone, welcome to the podcast.
Speaker 2:Thank you. I appreciate it.
Speaker:I'm excited to dive in. I want to learn all about you and I want to learn about your business. So let's start there. Share with us a little bit about Clean Images.
Speaker 2:Um, Clean Images. Well, I am Tyrone. I started uh Clean Images, my business about six years ago in South Carolina while I was in college with a partner that I had. Um she was in the reserves and uh we just bought a camera on uh Black Friday, $500 a piece, and uh we just we started from there and uh we was doing like quintinettas and traveling to like uh Atlanta, North Carolina and stuff like that. And um, once uh the relationship ended, I just kept going forward. I was uh doing the shooting and the editing and stuff, and she was uh uh giving the clients and whatnot. So it was just easy for me to keep going.
Speaker:Nice. So tell me what is your specialty? What kind of I are you uh strictly events? Talk to me a little bit about your offerings.
Speaker 2:Um, well, I kind of do I don't like to put myself in a box. Uh I kind of do like personalized portraits, but I also currently work for the visiting center here in Fredericksburg, which I do events. Um, I just did the uh treats on the street and um uh the art attack and stuff like that. So I kind of do a little bit of both.
Speaker:Nice, nice. And is it um all still images or any video or combination? Tell me about that.
Speaker 2:I have the capability, obviously, but um I my passion is strictly with photography. Um I have a YouTube channel where I interview um artists and creatives and stuff like that, where I do interview, but um, for my Instagram for my clean images, it's just strictly photography.
Speaker:Very cool. And so have you already always had kind of an artistic eye? What kind of drew you to that Black Friday moment of buying the the camera?
Speaker 2:Um I guess kind of like I said, um uh when I was in college, I had my degree in business management marketing. So I guess I I did we were talking about what we can do, what what were we both passionate about at that time? And um, I guess it was just kind of easy to do to anybody can buy a camera. So um yeah, it was just I I guess I always had an artistic view, but uh yeah, I guess that that's just a route that we took.
Speaker:Gotcha, gotcha. That that's um really smart, and you have the business and marketing background to help you with the business side, so uh clearly you've got that left brain, right brain thing going.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker:Awesome, awesome. So are there any myths or misconceptions that you find about the industry?
Speaker 2:No myths or misconceptions. Uh one of them I can think of is like uh people think you have to have like expensive gear or a whole bunch of gear or the newest, latest stuff. Um, I recently just bought my second camera in February of this month. And like I said, prior to that, I started in 2019. So I had camera that entire time. And uh I I definitely I've shot uh Olympic medalists, um, a whole bunch of businesses and just things like that with that one camera. So um I think that's a misconception that people have. You have to have the newest and all the highest quality stuff, and especially with me anyway.
Speaker:Yeah, yeah. So if someone came to you and said, Hey, I love what you're doing, and I'd love to get into this and start my own photography business, what advice would you give them?
Speaker 2:I would say just do it. Um, start it and uh go from there. But uh social media definitely is uh it can be a hindrance for sure. So I would just say uh kind of get a grip on that and just say just stay focused and just do it. Uh people try to um control everything and they want everything to be picture perfect and all this stuff. But you I feel like the mistakes and the growth when people see that. Well, for me personally, I like to see the growth and I'm saying where people weren't as good because the progression is that's beautiful to me. So everything doesn't have to be a hundred percent correct, and you know what I'm saying. I that's just that's just my opinion.
Speaker:Yeah, you can learn it as you go, but also people rally around you and they they see you growing and they want to see you succeed. So it's kind of fun to have you know your your loyal fan base kind of following you along and cheering you on as you as you grow and they can see that progression. It's kind of cool.
Speaker 2:I agree.
Speaker:So when you're not working hard and um with in your business, tell me what are you doing for fun?
Speaker 2:For fun. Uh like recently moved to Fredericksburg, maybe like a year ago. But I like going downtown. I like going to Benny's or getting a slice of pizza with a friend or going to Anita's. Um I like to go see a movie. I love foodie. Downtown, the foodie, the restaurant. I love that place. So um I just like to focus on self-care and self-love, and there's those times when I'm uh not working.
Speaker:I love that. It's so important. And so fun to, you know, be new in town and explore all the new places. I love that. What is something that you wish the listeners knew about clean images?
Speaker 2:Um, something that they knew about me.
Speaker:What do you wish they knew?
Speaker 2:Um, I wish they knew how passionate that I am about art and photography, and it's very important to me. Um I just appreciate it so much. I appreciate other artists. Like I said, um my YouTube channel where I've done over 40 interviews, uh, different artists, different individuals, and just showcasing their art. And it's just one of my favorite things to do, and I love it.
Speaker:Amazing. If the listeners want to connect with you, check out your YouTube channel or work with you, where can they find you?
Speaker 2:Um my Instagram is clean.images. Very simple. Uh, my YouTube is Ty T Y R A N G O, Tyrango, and um yeah, that's where they can find me for right now.
Speaker:Amazing. Well, Tyrone, thank you so much for joining me on the podcast today and sharing Clean Images with us.
Speaker 2:Yes, ma'am, thank you. I appreciate the opportunity.
Speaker 1:Sure. Thank you for listening to the Fredericksburg Neighbors Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to FXBG NeighborsPodcast.com.