Bruce Wolf is a photographer based in Portland, Oregon and New York City, with a host of credentials; he has shot editorially and commercially for a number of years. His greatest ability is in bringing life, articulated lighting and emotion to each of his thoughtfully created photographs. Bruce and I got to talking today and he offered some pearls of wisdom I'll share with all you shutterbugs, professionals and aspiring photographers.
First and foremost, Bruce was quick to point out he was unsure that our casual conversation could be called "pearls of wisdom" as I referred to them after the fact, but was game enough to allow me to summarize some of the salient points we discussed. For that I am grateful. Bruce has been shooting for many years, even photographing John Lennon early in his career. His architectural photographs have such a feeling of life, mystery and narrative; he imbues the picture with wonder, subtlety and interest. I love that about his work.
Thanks so much for sharing these pearls, Bruce!
Advice for beginning photographers from Bruce Wolf
1) People want to see one another succeed; be nice to people on jobs and they will hire you, want to work with you and maybe even become your friend.
2) Treat every job like it has the potential to become the next best image in your portfolio, even if it's for next to nothing or absolutely no pay. There's an opportunity to create a great image there.
3) Assist or don't assist more experienced photographers. You may assist and learn a lot or you may not and it's okay to forge ahead on your own. If you do help a professional photographer, try to learn what you can but don't pick up any bad habits.
4) You're doing something wrong if your knees aren't knocking from time to time on a job (see above paragraph and shooting John Lennon at a young age! My knees would be shattered).
5) EDIT. Look at your portfolio or site. Can you stand behind every photograph in there and love it, not for emotional reasons, but for the picture itself? if not, its out!
6) Cultivate personal projects. Make work that you are curious about seeing realized and assign it to yourself.
7) Each photograph is an opportunity to solve a problem.
8) Don't be afraid to bother people. Art directors, blog editors, whomever you'd like to work with, make them aware of your latest and greatest projects. Don't think you're being a pest.
9) Say yes to everything in terms of jobs that may seem small, but seek out images that can define your point of view. Make the shoot work for you.
10) There are no secrets.
• Visit Bruce's Site: Bruce Wolf
• Bruce's Blog: Bruce Wolf Studio Blog
(Images: Bruce Wolf, used with permission)
Before & After: Emily Henderson Transforms a Senior's Studio Space
Monica & Austin's Charming Bungalow
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Ercol Bar Stool
How To Cook Fluffy, Tasty Quinoa
True Greek Recipe: Paximadi Bread Salad with Tomatoes, Feta and Capers
These are great tips for someone starting out in any creative field. In addition to breaking into the film, video, and still photography business as a prop and wardrobe stylist by using many of Bruce's tactics, I also teach BFA candidates in fashion styling at the Art Institute of Portland and I will be sharing his advice next week in class. Thanks Bruce!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing.
I'd have to say, I was hoping for something a bit more specific than I can read about on about.com... c'mon Apartment Therapy, this is so weaksauce.
Give us posts about shooting architecture, shooting food, shooting our homes, that's what we are here for, not for the cliche "there are no secrets."
I also thought I was about to read some tips about photographing a place, maybe in the prospect of selling it ? Disappointed.
Beautiful, beautiful photographs. Yes, they are very narrative, in a mysterious way. (Again, negative comments dragging real pleasure down. WHAT is going on with that?)
Still waiting for the pearls...
That first picture is breathtaking - the reflection of light - marvelous.
Although I am not a big fan of ''smudgy" people (i.e. people in motion) in photos, in this it is barely noticeable so it does not bother me. Otherwise, it seems to be a current trend in interior design mags (at least the Canadian ones).
The second picture is also beautiful.
Actually, I think this is great advice.
Any fool can learn to control exposure or what the difference is between a wide angle and telephoto lens is. Less obvious is how do do something with it-- and that requires being bold and persistent. Which is what Bruce's tips here are about.
I appreciate it. When you hear someone describe their life's experience and choices, you're not looking for an instruction manual with detailed instructions, you're looking for the essence of their choices.
This is great advice, a good take on photography tips - how to approach work and people rather than how to use a camera! - true pearls of wisdom!! (have a bit of respect!)
And it's nice to hear someone say that you don't HAVE to assist to be able to become a pro :)
If you want to learn how to shoot then go to a photography blog!
I'd have to say though, don't fall into the "work for free, it's for my portfolio! " vein on thinking if you plan on ever making money! If you don't value your time, no one else will.
Is that the Alluvian in the first one?!
When the interview with photographer Scott Frances ran several months back, with LOTS of specific tips and really great insight, only two people even commented...