Meet Heather Bruce

We had the good fortune of connecting with Heather Bruce and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heather, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting my own business was combination of passion and practicality. Growing up, I loved looking at photos, learning about the people in them, or imagining what they might have been like. This fascination with frozen moments of time fueled my passion for photography when I had my children, wanting to preserve every moment I could. Over time, I realized I wanted to do the same for others. On the practical side, I wanted to be able to have the freedom and flexibility to create my own schedule and creative direction. By starting my own business, I could be with my children more, focus on projects I love or envision, build lasting relationships with my clients, and it allowed me to ensure my work is fulfilling and impactful.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My journey into photography began when I was about ten years old. At a family gathering, my Momaw handed me her point-and-shoot camera and entrusted me with capturing everyone’s moments. From then on, every visit to her house turned into a photo opportunity, whether it was nature scenes or playful duck-face selfies in the bathroom mirror. I captured it all.

When I became a mom at a young age, my focus shifted to providing for my family, and professional photography took a backseat. However, I continued to document our lives with my cell phone, cherishing every moment. At 25, my dad gifted me his DSLR camera, hoping it would reignite my passion for photography beyond my phone’s limitations.

It was my husband who encouraged me to turn my passion into a business. He recognized my dedication and wanted me to pursue something just for myself. With their support, I decided to take the plunge.

I initially thought starting a photography business would be straightforward—just create a Facebook page, join local groups, and showcase my work, hope for bookings. But as I explored the local photography scene, I was overwhelmed by the talent around me and struggled with imposter syndrome. I doubted whether I could ever be as good as them and was unaware of the hard work involved in becoming a skilled photographer.

Fortunately, I joined several photography groups and was welcomed with support and encouragement from fellow photographers, including those in my area. Community over competition is what they taught me and something I continue to practice. With their help and the backing of my family, my confidence grew. I’m still evolving as a photographer, continually learning and refining my craft. Reflecting on my early work is a bit surreal, as it looks so different from what I produce now.

I’ve developed a style I call “bright and moody,” characterized by high contrast that makes my clients stand out. My waterfall sessions are a testament to this style and are among my favorite to photograph. Each session, though in the same location, tells a unique story, and I love the fun and creativity they bring.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m a bit of a homebody, so our hangout would likely involve lounging in our PJs, binge-watching true crime shows and anime for a couple of days. When we do decide to venture out, I’d take you to all the local events happening in East Atlanta Village (EAV). They’re always a blast and a great way to connect with people from the area.

We’d definitely check out The Masquerade to catch a local band. Atlanta’s music scene is so vibrant that any show is going to be amazing, but if Challenger Deep is performing, that’s a must-see. For amazing pizza and craft beer, we’d head to Monday Night Brewery Garage before enjoying The Candybox Revue burlesque show at any of their locations around Atlanta.

We’d also explore some of the beautiful hiking spots around town, like Cochran Mill Park, which has a waterfall perfect for swimming. And of course, we’d take a day trip to Kaya Vineyard to enjoy their delicious wine and take in the stunning mountain views.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m incredibly blessed to have so many people in my life that have supported me throughout my photography journey. Thank you to my husband, Jesse, for pushing me to get out of my comfort zone and pursue my love for photography. Thank you to my three amazing daughters for always wanting to help with all my ideas and photoshoots. Thank you to all my parents who have helped in too many ways to list. I wouldn’t be the person or photographer I am today if I didn’t have you in my life. I love you all so dearly!

Website: https://www.thelilithcollectivega.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelilithcollectivega/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLilithCollective/