After seeing Bruce’s photos around and bumping into him at the local gym, I decided it was time to find out what made him tick. I caught up with him and had the opportunity to ask him a few questions.Tell us about yourself?
I’m Bruce Wilson, I was born in SLC, UT. I’m 25 years old and married to my climbing partner (which I recommend). I’d say that I’m a pretty passionate person…..depends on what it is. I love candle light dinners, bear skin blankets, leather bound books, just kidding I love the outdoors: Camping, Hiking, Climbing, Canyoneering, Snowboarding. Although winter sports are cool, the cold just isn’t my thing. Which means come winter time I try to spend most of my outdoor time in the St. George area. I’m passionate about art, photography specifically. I think most of us who think are artists, that can’t paint or draw, just becoming photographers ha ha.
What got you into climbing photography?
I remember when I wanted to become a photographer. I think I was 19 or 20 at the time and I would always go to the movies and before the movies would start I would see these Nikon commercials for the nikon D40. So I bought one. Also at the same time I was getting into climbing and ran into Boone Speed up American Fork canyon. He was shooting pics of Jared Roth and Mike Call on Speedball V9. I talked to him a little bit and saw some of his pics. I thought it was pretty cool and that’s when I wanted to become and adventure/outdoor photographer.
Where in the world would you most like to shoot?
That’s pretty tough to say. I start a battle in my head and think would it be about the landscapes, the climbs or climbers, or would I just like to go there to climb for my self? hmmmm……Some where in Europe. Spain…..Greece. Somewhere super aesthetic. Climbs need to look super epic. The landscape needs the same criteria….I don’t know.
What is your favorite Picture and why?
That’s pretty tough to say. Usually when I get around to taking a decent photo I’ll get all excited about it. I finish it all up in post production and the next day when I look at it, I end up hating my work and thinking what I shoulda/coulda done better.
I like this picture because we were in Joe’s Valley for a week. It was late October so the temps should have been nice. To us it seemed a little warm so after our morning session we’d chill all afternoon and wait till night when the temps were ideal to climb. This pic is of my buddy James Simmons at 1 am climbing an unnamed V9. Everyone there was climbing hard and having tons of fun.
What has helped you grow as a photographer?
I think realizing that no matter how good or bad I think I might be, There is always room to progress and to push my self to become a better photographer. Try new things, different lighting, angles, etc. There’s no such thing as “good enough”
