Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Bruner.
Chris, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have been an avid photographer since the 1970’s when I would document family vacations with any type of point and shoot camera I could get my hands on. We would vacation at the beaches and mountains of North and South Carolina and I simply adored the photographic process. The anticipation and excitement that came over me when I would open an envelope of prints was thrilling. Around 1979 I purchasing my first SLR from the local K-Mart, it was a Pentax K1000 with two lenses and a gadget bag. Buying that manual SLR camera was an awaking moment for me as a photographer.
The next decade I shot color film and had it processed locally while honing my skills with a manual SLR camera. I took pictures of family events and various gatherings, never really focusing on “Fine Art” photography. Soon after I married, I discovered a passion for Fine Art Photography and immersed himself in the darkroom developing the skill of wet silver gelatin printmaking. I has since converted to a digital workflow although many of my current offerings were shot with Kodak Black and White film.
Over the years I have taken a few photographic classes, workshops and completed some studies in Fine Arts while I was in college at The University of South Carolina. Essentially though, I am a self-taught photographer. To stay current I reads books, magazines and publications covering the many aspects of photography and art… Photography is a life long passion for me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Breaking into marketing my work took a lot of effort and work, it has not been an easy road. First, I had to develop a “brand” and then understand price points based on the markets and areas I sold my work. I displayed in several co-ops and participated in Art shows up and down the east coast for over 10 years. I have since moved into a permanent space at downtown Greenville at the Art Crossing.
My advise to aspiring photographers, or any artist, develop a brand and become an expert at it. For me it is Black and White photography and the art of creating final prints that grab your attention.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an Engineer by day and a photographer all the other time. I have been able to balance my career and develop my personal brand as a Fine Art Photographer. Some day I will retire and be a photographer 24-7. My artistic motifs are City Scape, Sea Scape, Land Scape and Still Lives from 12 different countries.
In 2026 I plan to visit Spain, Budapest and Morocco to expand my portfolio and take in new cultures. I specialize in Black and White photography and also large format ink jet printing. I am most proud of the fact that I have been able to maintain my personal brand and successfully market my work for over 20 years. One thing that sets me apart from others is the fact that I have an intimate knowledge of film photography and it translated into digital photography…I am a true “get it right in the camera” photographer.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I am the middle child so if you know you know…I recall grabbing the little 126 film camera and shooting all the exposures in a matter of hours. My mother would get upset when she would pick up the camera and the film cartridge was used up. I am mostly introverted and still enjoy time alone working on my photography. I was athletic and played sports and also earned a 3rd degree black belt and traveled around fighting in Karate tournaments while I was in my 20’s. Eventually settling down and raising 4 children and mastering my photography.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chrisbrunerphotography.com
- Instagram: @chrisbrunerphotography
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chrisbrunerphotography3783
