Cole Brown has a natural talent for getting the perfect shot. So it’s only fitting he has become the_pictureee_guy, an Instagram success whose posts get hundreds of thousands of views at a time. In total, more than 4 million people view his work - that’s nearly the entire population of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Cole has always had an interest in photography, but didn’t really get into it until he commandeered his mom’s camera. He started taking some sports shots that have morphed into people requesting him to attend their events and feature them on his social media. When he moved into taking video, he recorded his dog running around to learn the best way to take the shot.
Cole said he recently attended a game in Henry County and could hear people talking about the picture guy being at the game. “It’s the best feeling,” he said with a big smile. “It’s a good feeling when they’re mentioning me, but it’s a weird feeling too.”
He has taught himself how to edit photos and videos. But the eye for the shot is a natural ability.
“I could sit there for hours and work on videos. I don’t get bored,” he said. “That goes by in half an hour in my mind.” He doesn’t get a lot of sleep either because he’s excited to edit videos after he attends events. “I’m the picture guy full time.”
Carroll County Schools Superintendent Casey Jaynes added that “Cole is an example of how our students each have something they are passionate about. We must help our students identify their aptitudes and passions and then give them the educational tools they need to be successful in life.”
One of Cole’s most exciting shots was the video of Gallatin County’s basketball player Matthew Griffin making a game-winning last second shot in the boys 31st District tournament championship game against Trimble County. Another was when Carroll County’s Landon Groves hit a half court shot in a JV game.
“People instantly think ‘he’s got it’. I don’t know how, but I get the important stuff on video,” he said.
His dream job is to work at ESPN as a videographer. Cole said he has spoken to several television crews at various sporting events as well as some local photographers, like Sara Kay Sands (AKA Sarah Kay Sports), to get tips. “I’ve gotten a lot of help from random people,” he said.
Sands said she and Cole clicked the first day they met and he has been so inquisitive about photography. “I have never had a young person so interested,” she said. “I always tease him and say he will never be Sarah Kay Sports, but if I wanted anyone to take my place on the field and court, it would definitely be Cole. He has a bright future ahead of him.”
In addition to being the picture guy, Cole is a student athlete on the track and soccer teams as well as a member of FCA and pep club. Cole is the son of Matt and Kristine Brown.
You can visit his Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/the_pictureee_guy/.