My name Bradford Paulson, I have lived in this great community The Village of Mukwonago, WI for several years now. When I moved here I became the Cubmaster for Pack 129 in Mukwonago which is now Pack 29. I was in this position for 3 years. I work with both the Mukwonago Times and Conley Publishing (Waukesha Freeman and Washington County Daily News) as a freelance photographer for breaking news and sports news. I am part of the Waukesha County 4H with the Washington Club for 8 years now and my projects I have led are The Lego Robotics and Photography Projects. I have enjoyed being the project leader for both. I’m also a proud member of the Mukwonago Chambers of Commerce in Mukwonago.
What I like to do mostly is photography of all sorts. I think my favorite thing to photograph is weather related things. Storms, fall leaves, winter snow days and the moon.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am a proud father of 3. Two sons, Jesse and Parker. I also have a daughter, Bethany. All of them are athletic, into the music arts and have been thru 4H and/or Cub Scouts.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
My first job was a paper route where I rode a bike around with my red wagon tied to it delivering the Sunday paper. I worked in the food retail industry in High School. After high school I pursued photography and IT. When I moved out to Mukwonago I was a volunteer fireman for a brief time and then started to move forward into the IT industry as my life career. I enjoy people. So with that said both working in the IT industry and being a photographer you have a lot of interaction with people. I became a Desktop Engineer at Manpower Group in Milwaukee. I am the owner of BGP Photography LLC. I have been a photographer for a good portion of my life and still enjoy it just as much today. My main area of expertise is senior portraits, family portraits, weddings and many other different memorable moments. I decided to open my own photography business in 2010 and turned it into an LLC in 2016.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Hands down the Fork In The Road, can’t pass up there Portabella Wrap or their really tasty Build Your Own Mac and Cheese. The Bone Yard, Boss’ Pizza and Chicken and Sol De Mexico are also great restaurants in Mukwonago and I frequent these establishments a lot too.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived and worked in the community for 12 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I have met so many people in this community. With going to so many events to take pictures at, I have enjoyed interactions with everyone. The most interesting though is the question and I will have to say Mr. Larsen. You all know him as Scott from Scott’s Dog House. He always has great stories and a great attitude with being a small business owner.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would like to go to Australia. Always wanted to be down under and travel in the outback. Wrestle with a crocodile and ride a kangaroo. Seriously though, all joking aside, I just have always wanted to visit this country. Maybe it’s the accent.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I have always been a Lethal Weapon and Die Hard Fan. Don’t forget Clark Griswold and those lights in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Law and Order SVU and Crime shows and adventures have been my TV show favorites. Maybe I should have chosen Law Enforcement as a career.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
BE YOU! You are the only one who can choose your own destiny in life. Your friends will come and go, the closest will be there through your awesome times and your tough times. Your career will come. Take as much time to get the winning career. BE HAPPY! If you’re happy people will see that and the enjoyment will fill around you as you go through life.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Win the lottery! Be famous! Own a Casino! Ok, back down to earth I think a trip around the world, skydiving, a cruise in the Caribbean, and my biggest is to come face to face with a tornado and live to tell about it.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I enjoy anything 80’s, 80’s Hair Band and yes even 80’s and 90’s Country. “Hey Alabama, Roll On”
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Fork in the Road! Just a visit inside to take a look at the pictures from the past on the walls tells a lifelong story.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
American photographer James Welling, who is known for a relentlessly evolving body of images that considers both the history and technical specificities of photography. He is a famous photographer and I enjoy his work, his art. Fork In The Road.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
It’s the closeness, the people, and the smiles. You just know everyone. A community connected to one another.
Q: What have you done to make Mukwonago a better place?
PHOTOGRAPHY, I have been to many events to help catch the memories to be told for years to come.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I will be in Mukwonago. I’m not going anywhere! I would really like to continue driving my business further into the heart of Mukwonago.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I’m a romantic. I love a lot. I said it earlier, I like people well it’s true. I find everyone unique in their own ways and showing love towards the community by photographing many areas of this community brings a feel of romance, love in my life. A romance of people’s smiles and reactions towards the memories each bring into their lives.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
I think the most beautiful place I have been is Golden, Colorado. The mountains were such a beautiful landscape to photograph.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My favorite month is August. The warm weather, the outdoor activities and the storms! My favorite holiday is Memorial Day, a day to remember! And best single day on the calendarwould be December 31st! This is the day of reflection of the year past and the day to look ahead to the upcoming year.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
I think fireworks are 10 out of 10. They always bring a smile to onlookers. They make excellent photos and they are a cheery sight with loud noises.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My kids inspire me 100%. I find that the things I do are brought together with how my kids react and use what I do in their own lives. I do the best that I can in my career and my everyday challenges to show that they to can succeed in life challenges. So in a way it’s a win for everyone.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
My two favorite smells are vanilla and fall (Autumn)
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Home is where the heart is, Home Run and Home on the range, where the deer and the antelope play.
