Instagram: @pray4bokeh, @pray4vhs
Bruno's Mixtape
Bio
The way I look at photography is the way I look at art, when I take a photo of an abandoned building or an abandoned house, I’m painting a canvas; my camera and lens are my tools. The paint is life and everything I see in it.
I shoot digital, sometimes film and when I edit my photos, I give that film look. I’m not much of a people person, so I don’t take a lot of photos of people, but I occasionally do portrait work. I first fell in love with photography when I was a just small boy, watching movies with beautiful cinematography and breathtaking directors. Stanley Kubrick, Alfred Hitchcock are my heroes in the cinema world, and I do wish to direct my own movie one day.
I try to bring my camera everywhere with me, you never know what you are gonna see and sometimes I beat myself up if I see something cool to shoot, but I left my camera home. I’m completely obsessed with photography, when I’m bored at home I hold my camera like a pet. I’m not sure where my photography will take me in life, I just hope it never ends and I hope people will just enjoy my artwork.
-Bruno
Interview
Rob: I gotta ask, what’s the story behind your collection of cassettes and VHS tapes?
Bruno: I honestly have always been a collector. Even as a kid with no money, I collected those little Homie figures you get from gumball machines. Over the years, I expanded my collection to include records, NES games, and now it’s mostly VHS. I genuinely enjoy watching movies and the best way to do that in my opinion is watching it on tape. It’s not only just for nostalgic reasons but it’s the best way to really feel like you're a kid again.
Rob: Do you have a favorite VHS tape?
Bruno: It’s tough to pick just one, but my all-time favorite movie on VHS has to be Dumb and Dumber. I mostly collect horror movies, but that one holds a special place for me.
Rob: What about cassettes?
Bruno: For cassettes, I mostly collect hip hop and underground Flint music.
Rob: I noticed you had The Wolfman prominently featured in one of your pictures. That movie always puts a smile on my face!
Bruno: Ohh yeah! If you enjoy that, you should check out Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. It has a whole lineup of classic monsters.
Rob: Do you have a specific setup for watching your VHS tapes?
Bruno: Definitely! I do have a VCR hooked up to my big screen, but I put a CRT in my room because it just looks better for the vintage experience. It’s all about that authentic feel, you know?
Closing Thoughts
I met Bruno through Facebook and simply being a fan of his photography. Anytime I would comment on his work, or ask him a question, he was so eager to talk, give advice, and offer words of encouragement.
His eye for a shot in such a simple environment is on another level, the tones in his imagery are immaculate, and when you see one of his pictures you feel it. Do yourself a favor and check out his Instagram at the top of the article.
It's only a matter of time before a national publication finds his work and heavily invest, but for the time being I am honored to be able to work with Bruno and learn from him.
Bruno, thank you for the kindness you have shown me. You are so extremely talented and such a genuinely good dude. Thank you for doing the interview and giving me the opportunity to work with you. Looking forward to saying, "I knew him before he was famous".
One of Bruno's goals is to sell his photography to an artist to use as a cover for a rap album. Every legendary album has a legendary album cover... just saying. I know a guy.
-Rob