Brian English was born in 1963 in Los Angeles, California

After traveling worldwide in 1984, Brian began making photographs in 1985 while studying black and white printing with William Abranowicz at Parsons, New York. From 1986 until 1989, he assisted Robert Mapplethorpe and worked with master printer Tom Baril in the Mapplethorpe darkroom. Brian then printed for Richard Avedon during Avedon's 1990 archiving project. While in New York, He also worked with Horst P. Horst.

During 1990 and 1991, Brian lived in Paris, traveled and photographed within Europe.

In 1992 Brian relocated back to Los Angeles where he assisted Annie Leibovitz with numerous west coast assignments, and managed SmashBox Studios from 1993 until 1996. During this period, he also assisted various photographers including Herb Ritts, Jean-Baptiste Mondino, Peter Beard and Michel Comte.

Again in New York City from 1998 through 2001, Brian produced and exhibited fine art projects at the Wessel O'Connor Gallery and Throckmorton Fine Art.

He now resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two daughters. As well as continuing to create and exhibit photographs, Brian is also a contributing visual editor to Parabola magazine.