Liar, Lunatic or Legit?

If the question is about Bruce, he'll tell you, "Depends on who you ask." 

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Among those who know his work as either a Photographer, Author, Instructor or Coach, "Legit" is the preferred answer.

Experience Highlights   (do we really have time for this?)

• It was as an Electricians Mate, onboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation, in the Navy that I realized that I had a natural talent and growing love for photography. I was going places and seeing things that none to few of my friends and family would ever see and I wanted to be able to use photographs to share my experiences with them.

• When I had only a couple of months left before returning to civilian life, I was given the opportunity to apprentice with a civilian professional photographer. Assisting Bob Walters, a tri-state print competition award winner, at weddings, watching him in the studio and darkroom, and memorizing everything he said and did, was an invaluable kick-start to my own career.

• 1971 - Photographed the first of over 500 career weddings. Though I no longer do those, the skills and disciplines developed still translate into my work on other jobs.

• 1984 - 1986 - Owned and operated a studio in, let's say, a "nice" part of Colorado Springs. It was a dream come true... for awhile. Was able to finally do some really awesome studio work!

• 1989 - Served as Chief of Photographic Services, leading a crew of 3 others, who hardly needed anyone to guide them, for a US government contractor on the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Held a secret clearance.

• 1991 - 1994 - Sole photographer for the Strategic Defense Initiative (aka "Star Wars" Project) at the National Test Facility, Schriever AFB. Secret clearance. Occasionally tasked to photograph inside NORAD, even after my contract expired.

• 1995 - 1997 - Photo Acquisitions Manager, leading up to 7 assistants and photographers in major curriculum revisions for multiple publications at David C. Cook Publishing Co., Colorado Springs. 

• 2007 - Began teaching workshops on the technical and artistic aspects of photography.

• 2013 - Moved from Colorado Springs, CO to Louisville, KY to be closer to younger Hinsons. Refocused business onto commercial and residential real estate photography.

• 2020 - Real estate industry slowed and so did the need for me and my camera. But it was a blessing in disguise: I had a web site to build, digital products to create and a lot to learn about how to market in the digital universe. 

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Educational & Training Highlights

• Famous Photographers School correspondence course while in the Navy.

• Brooks Institute School of Photography, Santa Barbara, CA. One of the 3 best schools of photography in the world at the time (and incredibly expensive!) Despite its unwritten motto of "If you can't take the heat get outta the kitchen," I managed to stick with the program while working a f/t swing shift job to pay living expenses.

• Colorado Christian University, Bachelor of Arts degree

• Bill MacIntosh Executive Portraiture Weekend Workshop

• Dean Collins FineLight Workshop on Commercial Lighting for Studio and Location.

• Numerous Kodak Seminars on Commercial and Illustration Techniques

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Certifications

• 1985 ("Film Age") -  One of 1st ten in Colorado to earn Certified Professional Photographer through the Professional Photographers of America.

• 1986 - Earned "Q" rating in General Commercial Photography in PPA program (now defunct).

• 2018 ("Digital Age") - Earned certification again. (Was it really a higher bar to jump this time or....?)

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Special Recognition Highlights - some, not all   (Bored yet?)

• 1988 - ("Film Age," remember?) Kodak Gallery Award for Photographic Excellence, at Professional Photographers of Colorado Annual Competition. It's a crystal "thingy" (see photo). Only one per year, per PPA affiliate, is awarded. (Big head lasts a lifetime.)

• 1988 - Same competition as above, 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards in Commercial category.