Mr Elbank - The Brock Elbank Foundation CIC Reviews 34

I've been fortunate enough to have my photo taken by a lot of professional photographers over the years but by far my favourite portraits were taken by Brock Elbank. It was an all-round great experience. What a talent, what a lovely guy.

Had my portrait taken by the lovely Brock who made me feel very comfortable in a situation completely alien to me! Really great experience and the pizza was to die for!

I recently spent the afternoon having my portrait taken by Brock and to say i was left feeling happy would be an understatement! Brock went out of his way to make and my daughter feel comfortable and completely coached me through his whole process throughout the day. I’ve never had my photo taken professionally and his ability to immediately make me feel at ease is powerful to say the least! His work is beyond incredible and I couldn’t be happier with the result! Thanks you Brock! You are a legend and a lovely human!

When I worked with Brock for the BBC1 programme Extraordinary Portraits, I was apprehensive and had my doubts, how can a person capture in one photograph a life lived, a life in the NHS, a life that has experienced and seen things no person should have to see, but also show Resilience, hope, compassion and experience. Not only did Brock manage to capture that but he brought it to life. The feedback from around the world I recieved is testimony to that with many saying the same thing 'it had me in tears'. Brock is a legend in his field and deserves every accolade going.

I loved working with Brock! His work is empowering, inspiring and beautiful. I would work with him again in a heartbeat. Much love!

When my Dad showed me Brock’s post about wanting people with freckles to submit a photo of themselves as part of the submission process to be chosen for Brock's “Freckles” series… I honestly thought he was joking! After realising my Dad was being serious, I spent the afternoon taking photos and choosing the right one to send.

Brock emailed back saying he would love to have me as part of his “Freckles” series. We had organised to meet in Sydney to have the portrait photographed, as Brock was there for his Beard exhibition.

Two years after my portrait was photographed, Brock hosted the opening of the Freckles exhibition in Sweden at the Regional Museum of Kristianstad. I flew over with my Mum and upon arrival I was shocked to see my portrait on an enormous billboard outside the museum. I was honestly speechless by surprise, and I remember gasping when I saw the billboard for the first time! It was a very special moment standing there with my Mum… I never would've thought that I was going to be part of this project, to be the face of the "Freckles" series AND to be on a billboard as big as the museum itself!

I thank Brock for the opportunity. I thank Brock for the experience. But most of all I thank Brock for seeing something in me… that I couldn’t.

When I was younger, I hated how I looked, I hated that I was different and I hated every single one of my features; my red hair, my freckles, my pale skin. I had no confidence or self-appreciation for myself. After photographing with Brock, it felt special, and I started to foster the kind of self-love that grew because of the way someone else appreciated how I looked.

Brock’s work is inspiring, pure and wonderful. He captures beauty from people that wouldn’t be typically considered as “beauty” to the media and majority of people. Now that’s what I call real work!

Where do I start? Brock is able to bring out beauty and confidence that you don’t know you have, it was an honour for me to be part of his “freckles” collection. These were a part of me that I did not love and yet he not only made me see their beauty, but more.
A unique talent able to draw from his subjects, strength and beauty that allows the viewer to see, feel and appreciate.
Brock, your work is incredible, your humility and compassion is infectious.
Thank you for taking my picture and allowing me to see beyond myself.
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

I met Brock 8yrs ago after I was selected to participate in his first portrait series of this kind to raise awareness - Project60 - a global first initiative dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers of melanoma through world class portraiture of 60 epic bearded gents. Turns out he lived just down the road and so we met frequently during the course of the Project60 journey and have continued to stay in touch. Immensely talented and funny too, it’s been a pleasure and an honour to know him both professionally and personally. Since Project60, his selfless dedication to his work continues to focus on many other great causes, positively highlighting these through his unique photographic art and vision.

It was a great experience. Brock was great and Ernie, his dog, so lovely!
I liked a lot the pictures and it was so easy to talk to Brock about my story.

It was the first time I wrote my story, and it made me feel good, I am proud of it. The results are so beautiful.

Ana María Giraut - 12 years old

Now my experience as a Mom, I loved it was Ana María’s interest to write to Brock. I did not know what would happen, but everything was so easy since the begging.
The pictures are amazing, and I was impressed by all the beautiful things that came out of this experience!

I am very thankful to Brock for taking his time to meet us, work with Ana, and give us this beautiful gift!

I had the honor of being part of the vitiligo project! one day I received a direct message from Brock on instagram inviting me to be part of that beautiful project, I didn't think twice and said YES.

Although we had to wait almost six months to be able to do the photo shoot, but it was worth it. Brock from minute one created an atmosphere and made me feel at home, I remember him telling me "your instagram is full of very powerful and sassy photos, but I want to see a different side of you" at that time I did not understand well...

But then we started the photo session and the way he addressed me was simply sublime, he told me "think of something that makes you feel a lot of love" I thought of my mother and at that moment my eyes began to fill with tears and Brock said "yeah that's beautiful, amazing, perfect".

We finished the session and he told me it will take a few weeks to be able to choose a photo and edit, and the next day I am in tower bridge and I get a notification of a post, when I saw the photo I cried again, I had never seen myself that way before , It was a very special moment. I would definitely do it again.

I think Brock knew how to make every person in the vitiligo project shine. he simply knows how to capture beauty with his camera. It has been one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.

Brock I want to take the opportunity to thank you, because with your photos I could finally see myself, the beauty of my skin!!! thank u so much.

Love
Danke

I was photographed by Brock during his project 60. It was an incredible experience and I’m honored that someone so talented took photographs of me! The shooting was fun, Brock knows what he wants. That makes things a lot easier. We practice the new “Elbank look” over and over. It seems to work. A big full happy day where we reached our goal, where we exchanged ideas and projects, where we learned things from each other, where we became richer persons. Brock was happy with the result. I was happy too, for me and for him. The project 60 seemed to be just a detail of the day. In the end it was all about people, experiences, and human relations.
Thank you Mr Elbank.

I was photographed by Brock during his scar series. It was an incredible experience and and I’m honoured that someone so talented took photographs of me!
Brock was extremely approachable and friendly upon meeting and made me feel very at ease.
He creates such fantastic work, love it!!

Had the please of working with Brock twice for the Scars series. What a wonderful human, and the gift he has he uses it to highlight beautiful stories and individuals. I felt empowered and a confidence I hadn’t felt before. Everything he touches/is apart of turns to gold. Top man.

My personal experience with Brock Elbank dates back to 2017, when I had the honor of joining his Vitiligo series. When I knew about his project I did not hesitate even for a second and I immediately contacted him and then flew to London after a few months. It was a unique, magical experience; being welcomed into his home, chatting about everything, drinking a coffee made with the typical Italian coffee maker "Moka" that made me feel as if I was in my kitchen. I was quite nervous, it is not so usual to be photographed and have all the attention on you... Brock was very patient, he understood me and put me perfectly at ease. When I saw the final result of those shots I cried, it has been a very strong emotion. It is an honor to let someone show you what you are through their eyes and their lens. He made what is often considered a flaw special, and that is exactly what makes Brock Elbank a unique artist, a truly special person.

Brock was simply great to work with on a charity photographic exhibition to raise awareness of a genetic skin condition (CMN).
Brock created a series of stunning and sensitively produced images that featured in an extremely successful public exhibition that attracted very positive reviews in the press.
As a result, the charity exceeded its objective to raise awareness of the condition, and feedback from the photographic exhibition praised the way it helped change some negative perceptions connected to visible difference.
Thank you Brock ! :-)

My experience with Brock and the charity was extraordinary. You are always on guard and attempt to avoid being caught off guard by any unpleasant surprises when you first meet someone or enter a place. Brock values you by being truly interested in getting to know you and, most importantly, without any kind of judgmental prejudice. This kind of approach makes people feel at ease. Becoming a part of the vitiligo project has been an honor because his persistent efforts have had a positive impact on both the community involved and people who are not familiar with the condition. His status as the organization's key creator demonstrates how its goals are based on principles that promote human welfare.

I was featured in Brock's Scar Series in 2019. I've never like photographs of myself and rarely took them. Having this opportunity to visit London and be apart of this series completely changed my life. For the first time, I truly felt like the world was able to see the beautiful person I feel inside. But the photographs are merely one aspect. Prior to the photoshoot, sitting in Brock's kitchen and sharing my experience was the most impactful. I've never felt more embraced by anyone, like I experienced with Brock, a lifelong friendship. Thank you, Brock for seeing the beauty I've felt for so long and sharing it with the world! Forever grateful for this incredible human!!

I was fourtunate enough to be a part of mr Elbank’s Beard series. It being my first time in Europe being able to shoot with Brock was truly an honor. I immediately felt like home with him. Beyond him being insanely talented him being so personable and relatable is another great assets he has. He’s always kept in touch and have managed to build a great friendship. If anyone is lucky to work with him your will not be disappointed.

Did a shoot with him a few years ago and it blew my mind. I went to his home and on opening the door Brock immediately put me at ease. He was warm, professional and engaging. Any scepticism I had melted and I was ready to go. After bonding over a mutual love of excellent music Brock photographed me; it was one of life’s most relaxing liberating moments. I’m proud of every photo and how he captured my cheekiness and strength. Grateful for the chance meeting.

Brock photographed my two children for his Freckle project. They are both pretty quiet and not known for being relaxed in front of the camera.
Brock instantly built a great connection and had them feeling at ease and laughing straight away. We all felt very special and enjoyed the whole experience.
Not only did they feel proud of their freckles at the end, and they continue to embrace them, but they were happy they’d done a good job for their new friend Brock.
The photos are also absolutely beautiful and I treasure them dearly.