Meet Molly Bruce

Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Bruce.

Molly, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Hi! I’m Molly! I am a natural light photographer based in the Cave Creek / North Scottsdale area.

This is how I got started…

I moved to Arizona two weeks after graduating from college in 1995 and married my college best friend. I had a fine arts degree. My big dream was to go into graphic design, ultimately working for a high-end magazine doing layouts. Within my first year, I started working for Scottsdale Healthcare (now Honor Health) as a graphic designer in their PR and Marketing department. This leads me to an ad agency where I finally had my chance to do magazine layouts…. Let’s just say it wasn’t everything I had hoped it would be. I eventually left and started my own freelance design business. I worked primarily in the health care field (and still do to this day). The health care work was great and fairly consistent. However, I felt something was missing in my life CREATIVELY.

I’ve always had a passion for photography and it sounds cliché, but I have always had a camera in my hand and have been taking photos for as long as I can remember. During my time at the ad agency, I started taking family photos on the side for friends. These friends pushed me to take a good look at something that I loved doing and make it a career. After a couple of years, it slowly became my main creative outlet… The Yin to the Yang of my everyday job. Over the past 10 years, I’ve been fortunate enough to build my photography business in a very saturated market. I have invested many hours of online and in-person workshops and am constantly learning and growing in my craft. I have an amazing client base. I’ve watched families grow each year. I LOVE what I do.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not always been a smooth road along the way. I struggled with finding a balance between my two businesses and raising a family. I also have a creative brain, so the structure and numbers part of running a business has been a learning curve for me. But, each hurdle has pushed me to be a better businesswoman!

Please tell us more about your business.
I am a natural light photographer. I primarily shoot families, couples, maternity, and high school seniors. I have been a photographer for the past ten years.

I have worked hard over the years to “harness the sun”… I shoot into the sun and just die for a perfect sun flare. There is something about an image that is lit up by the sun that speaks to me. I love shooting in the Arizona desert right at sunset. I love how every cactus needle lights up in the setting sun. It’s pure magic!

The work I am most proud of is my work with the Department of Child Safety (DCS). In the past two years, I have had the opportunity to work with DCS on their “Compassioneers” campaign, photographing social workers, here in Arizona, to shine a light on the people who have one of the most heartbreaking and important jobs in the world, the safety of children. I have also had the opportunity through DCS to meet and photograph adoption success stories, families who have opened their homes to foster children and saved their lives. THIS is my most cherished work to date.

Being a graphic designer helps me market myself and my business and sets me apart from other photographers. I love to create and hopefully, one day sell templates to other photographers.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
have to give major credit to my husband. When I first started building my photography business our children were young. I would work my regular job and I would be gone on weekend evenings shooting families. He gave me so much support in the beginning and continues to do so. I’m fortunate enough to have a strong community of other photographer friends. We encourage each other and push each other to be better and create beautiful imagery. I don’t know what I would do without my photography community! They are all the best!

And last, but definitely not least, I have the best clients who have also become friends over the years. My business would not be a success without them! Especially in the beginning when I thought I was good, but looking back I really wasn’t that great. They trusted me and stuck with me year after year. I’m happy that I’m in a place where I can deliver quality images to all of them now and as I continue to grow. My accidental career has become my passion. When people say “Do what you LOVE”… I highly recommend you listen you won’t regret it!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mollybrucephotography.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @mollybrucephotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mollybrucephotography

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