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


  • Title IX; 15 pieces
    Sept 14 - Dec 31, 2007 EXTENDED into 2008
    Opening reception: Sept 20, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
    California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
    5th Floor
    505 Van Ness at McAllister
    San Francisco, CA
    Free to the public M-F 9 AM to 4 PM, ask to see “Art on the Walls on the 5th Floor”
    Call Mona for purchase 415.595.2073

Past Exhibitions


  • Gen Art Ignition! presented by Nokia NSeries
    November 9, 2007 (one night)

    Mezzanine
    444 Jessie Street
    (at Mint Street)
    San Francisco, CA

    1) Wall exhibit of Mona's photographs taken with the Nokia N95 Camera Phone. It will cover the wall next to the stairwell.
    2) Guests can take home a print of themselves taken by Mona with the Nokia N95.

  • 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

415.595.2073 | San Francisco | © Mona T. Brooks 2003-2007 - All rights reserved.