Bio
Life motivates Mona Tedjarahardja Brooks. Her philosophy is to dive head first into any situation. To borrow a poker phrase her friends say she lives life "all-in." In her mid 20’s she felt trapped working in her cube in Corporate America as a marketing manager. Her career felt stale and uncreative and she wanted more. Her fearless attitude allowed her to take her passion for photography as a hobby and turn it into a career.
With the support of her husband, Raven Brooks, they moved from Dallas to San Francisco, away from family, friends and everything they knew, in 2003 so she could pursue photography.
Mona has a genuine interest in meeting people and always has. "15 minutes is the amount of time I would give to anyone I encounter," Mona said. "I give the same amount of respect to CEO's and politicians as I do with people living on the street. I honestly think I can learn something from anyone."
Her 15 minute motto has undoubtedly helped her photography career by gaining trust and access to top city government officials in San Francisco, such as District Attorney Kamala Harris and Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White. Both DA Harris and Chief Hayes-White are documentary subjects for Mona's project, Women & Politics.
Reportage photography is Mona's passion. Mona is lead photographer for the Netroots Nation formally Yearly Kos convention - which drew such Democratic Leaders such as Sen. Barbara Boxer Sen Hillary Clinton, Sen Barack Obama, Sen John Edwards and DNC Chairman Howard Dean. Part of a collaborative team, Mona's team has put out unConventional, YearlyKos: Citizens, Focus and Action. It is Mona's first photography book.
In the past four years since she started photography, Mona has been published internationally. Publication such as Le Monde in Paris, Europa Quotidiano in Rome, and Intersection Magazine in UK. You will find her work domestically published in San Francisco Magazine, Seed Magazine, and Marie Claire. Full list of published work is listed here
On December 2006, Mona received her second undergraduate degree from the Academy of Art University, a B.F.A. in Documentary Photography. Her first degree is a B.S. in Marketing from Auburn University.
Photography Book
- unConventional, YearlyKos: Citizens, Focus and Action
Purchase a copy, you may also contact me if you would like to have you copy personally signed.
Current Exhibitions
- Chillin' Production 12th Anniversary; 2 pieces
May 1, 2010
Mezzanie on Mint and Jesse
San Francisco, CA - One Year Later; 10 pieces
Jan 20-Jun 2, 2010
African American Arts and Culture Complex
762 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA - Title IX; 15 pieces
Sept 14, 2007- present
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
5th Floor
505 Van Ness at McAllister
San Francisco, CA
Past Exhibitions
- Harvard Celebrates Black History Month Photography Show
February 2-27, 2009
Harvard Kennedy School
Cambridge, MA
- Gen Art Ignition! presented by Nokia NSeries
November 2007
Mezzanine
San Francisco, CA
- Title IX; 7 pieces
May - November 2007
Michelle Bello Fine Art at Cabana Home
Mill Valley, CA
-
Collective - Yelpers’ Reflections on City Life & Community; 5 pieces
August 6-18, 2007
opening reception: Aug 16, 6:30-7:30 pm artists and guests. 7:30pm - 11:00pm Space Gallery
1141 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA
415.377.3325
yelp and Space Gallery - Title IX; 15 pieces
June 5 - July 31, 2007
Finale reception: Aug 7, 6-8 PM
opening reception: June 7, 6-8 PM
The California State Justice Center
basement floor
455 Golden Gate St
San Francisco, CA
- Women & Politics: San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White
1st prize category winner in Documentary Portfolio
May 24 - June 29, 2007
Awards ceremony: May 24, 6-8 PM
The Academy of Art University
601 Brannan St
San Francisco, CA - SEE Six Stories of Diversity group show
Fouzia & Saleema
December 1, 2006 - May 18, 2007
Academy of Art University
180 New Montgomery, 8th Floor
San Francisco, CA
Press
- 04.10.10 :: "It seemed more like a campaign stop for a presidential candidate. Famous political photographer Mona T. Brooks was on the scene anyway, among the paparazzi"
- Fall 2008 :: Mona T. Brooks: Photographer at the '08 Democratic National Convention
- 08.2007 :: Academy Graduate Mona T. Brooks Appointed Lead Photographer for San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris
- 04.26.07 :: San Francisco Chronicle :: Flickr Picker
- 04.2007 :: San Francisco Chronicle Handpicks Academy of Art University Alum As Their “Flickr Pickr”
- 10.15.06 :: PhotoMedia Magazine :: People in the news
- 06.27.07 :: Photographer Mona Brooks’ Career Explodes
- Summer 2006 :: Tango Diva :: Ten Tips for Finer Photography