Colleen Brown
Pompano Beach,FL
Summary
Energetic and passionate individual bringing 28 years of hands-on experience as a creative, innovative photographer. Customizes approaches based on project or client requirements. Leveraged curiosity and innovation to drive originality. Fearless creator of candid and unique shots. Innovative, free spirit equipped with excellent observational skills and creative vision. Specializes in nature, people, travel and food photography.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Real Estate Agent
Prag Realtors
Tamarac, FL
05.2019 - Current
- Increased personal revenue by completing multiple home and property sales.
- Facilitated deals between sellers, buyers and brokers for maximum profits.
- Photographed all properties for use in listing service, FB and printed materials.
- Worked with clients to align photography with desired outcome and expectations for selling their home.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction ratings by effectively and swiftly resolving issues.
- Provided client guidance regarding market conditions, mortgage options, and legal requirements.
- Prepared documents such as purchase agreements, deeds, leases and other legal documents related to real estate transactions.
- Developed relationships with vendors who could provide services related to the purchase or sale of real estate.
- Acquired new customers, counseled clients and identified purchasing needs to deliver relevant real estate investments.
Freelance Photographer
Colleen Brown Photography
Coral Springs, FL
08.1994 - Current
- Developed and maintained relationships with clients to ensure satisfaction with photography services.
- Organized photo shoots, including scheduling, equipment setup, and maintaining a safe working environment.
- Facilitated general office operations by scheduling appointments, keeping books and ordering supplies.
- Provided pro bono services for local nonprofits and charity organizations in the south Fl area.
- Assisted in the selection of props, backdrops, and other materials used during photo shoots.
- Ensured proper lighting techniques were used to capture desired images.
- Reviewed proofs with clients to make adjustments or corrections as needed.
- Compiled digital files of finished images for delivery to clients.
- Maintained accurate records of all photographs taken during a session.
- Conducted research on locations, subjects, and trends in photography prior to assignments.
- Adhered to copyright laws while creating original photographs.
- Prepared invoices for payment after completion of projects.
- Photographed special events, parties and portraits.
- Cropped, manipulated and performed color balance for final images.
- Set up lights, backdrops and props for shoots and events.
- Planned and obtained original shots using innovative thinking and new techniques.
- Scouted locations and curated props for photography shoots.
- Coordinated and completed photoshoots for individuals, families and small groups.
- Transferred photographs to computers for editing, archiving and electronic transmission.
- Determined project goals, locations and equipment needs by studying assignments and consulting with clients or organization.
- Engaged in research to develop new photographic procedures and materials.
- Performed maintenance tasks to keep equipment working properly.
- Organized and stored digital photographs, negatives, and prints in an orderly fashion.
Fund Development Director
Meals on Wheels South FL
Plantation, FL
07.2007 - 08.2014
- Developed comprehensive fundraising plan to achieve sustainability and fundraising goals of the organization.
- Doubled fundraising donations within first two years.
- Photographed clients, special events, and staff for marketing, social media use and quarterly newsletter.
- Reviewed grant applications from potential funding partners or sponsors.
- Served as the lead for community awareness events and career day within Broward County schools.
- Identified, established, maintained and enhanced a variety of relationships with individuals,
corporations, foundations, civic and professional groups - Built partnerships and strategic alliances to extend organization's brand and increase avenues of support.
- Reduced agency's dependence on Government funding by 40%.
- Bequest funding increased from zero to numerous bequests ranging $50,000- $100,000.
- Supported efforts through highly intensive schedule of visiting with potential donors and pitching compelling presentations and in-depth fundraising proposals.
- Conducted research on potential donors and identified key prospects for cultivation.
- Devised materials for fundraising programs, uploaded to social media and websites and mailed to former donors.
- Managed production and distribution of collateral materials to support development and marketing goals.
- Facilitated training sessions on proper procedures for cultivating donors.
- Mentored team members to create clear paths toward career goals.
- Formulated sustainability strategies to drive financial viability of programs and services.
- Contributed ideas at team meetings regarding innovative approaches to fundraising.
- Identified opportunities for collaboration with other organizations in the field.
- Organized special events to engage existing and prospective donors.
- Researched industry trends in order to identify new ways of increasing donations.
- Managed a portfolio of major donor relationships, providing stewardship and solicitation support.
- Oversaw the creation of marketing materials used in fundraising efforts.
- Identified potential grants and wrote proposals to submit along with grant applications.
- Secured fundraising revenue, accurately monitoring donations and monetary deposits to eliminate discrepancies.
- Created relationships with businesses, community leaders and citizens through events to promote company and add new donors and volunteers.
Case Manager
Comfort Security Independence
Honolulu, HI
08.2003 - 04.2005
- Assessed clients' needs, developed service plans and monitored progress towards goals.
- Provided case management services including intake, assessment, crisis intervention, advocacy, referral and monitoring of elderly clients
- Facilitated communication between clients, families, caregivers, social services and other agencies to ensure client needs were met.
- Provided crisis intervention support for clients in emergency situations.
- Conducted home visits to assess the safety of living environments for clients.
- Developed individualized care plans with input from clients and their families.
- Maintained accurate case records and documentation according to agency guidelines.
- Counseled clients on available resources within the community that could help meet their needs.
- Acted as an advocate for vulnerable populations by ensuring fiduciary responsibilities were adhered to
Combat Medic (68W)
United States Armed Forces
Fort Hood, TX
10.1997 - 05.2003
- Administered intravenous fluids or injections when necessary to treat patients.
- Participated in various training sessions related to combat medicine topics such as disaster preparedness planning, triage management.
- Assisted in the preparation of urine sample for evaluations.
- Notified supervisors or other relevant personnel of test or production issues.
- Maintained and updated records of sampling activities.
- Conducted quality control tests to ensure samples meet standards.
- Ensured compliance with safety regulations during sampling operations.
- Developed new methods and techniques to improve sample collection processes.
- Monitored inventory levels of testing supplies and restocked as needed.
- Collaborated with team members to develop strategies for collecting high-quality samples.
- Identified opportunities for improvement in existing sampling procedures.
- Participated in training sessions on safety protocols related to sampling operations.
- Organized documents related to sampling activities, including test results, reports.
Education
High School Diploma -
Northeast High School
Fort Lauderdale, FL06-1982
Some College (No Degree) - Photography
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FLBachelor of Science - Medicine (Pre-Medicine)
Covenant College
Lookout Mountain, GASome College (No Degree) - Health Care Specialist
United States Army Training
Fort Leonard Wood, MOSome College (No Degree) - Psychology
University of Central Texas
Killeen, TXSome College (No Degree) - Psychology
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Belton, TXSkills
- Negotiations Expert
- Event Oversight
- Excellent Communicator
- Client Relations
- Superb Attention to Detail
- Flexible Creative Approach
- Public Speaking
- Project Management
- Strategy Implementation
- Oral and Written Communications
- Customer Acquisition
- Community Relationships
- Grant Writing
Certification
- ● The Grantsmanship Center Grant Writing Certificate
● Association of Fundraising Professional Fundamentals of Fundraising
● Meals On Wheels Association of America: The National Center for Nutrition Leadership
Certificate Program in Development
● The Fundraising School-Community Foundation of Broward and The Center on Philanthropy At
Indiana University.
● Bereavement Counselor Services Certificate through US Army
● Assist Certificate/Suicide Intervention training through US Army
● National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician
● Hospice Hawaii Certification (Death and Dying, Life Skills, Mentoring for Students)
Accomplishments
1998 Army Wide Photography Contest for excellence
Certificate of Achievement for Volunteer Service "Adopt -A-School Program"
215th Support Battalion-Certificate of Achievement for Photography support
Volunteer of the Year award Fort Hood, TX
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Real Estate Agent
Prag Realtors
05.2019 - Current
Fund Development Director
Meals on Wheels South FL
07.2007 - 08.2014
Case Manager
Comfort Security Independence
08.2003 - 04.2005
Combat Medic (68W)
United States Armed Forces
10.1997 - 05.2003
Freelance Photographer
Colleen Brown Photography
08.1994 - Current
High School Diploma -
Northeast High School
Some College (No Degree) - Photography
Broward College
Bachelor of Science - Medicine (Pre-Medicine)
Covenant College
Some College (No Degree) - Health Care Specialist
United States Army Training
Some College (No Degree) - Psychology
University of Central Texas
Some College (No Degree) - Psychology
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor