Today we’d like to introduce you to Renee Bruch.
Renee, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I got my first taste of photography in elementary school when I was put into a program for gifted children in the third grade. Although it was just a tiny portion of the program, it left a big impression on me.
Unfortunately, the talent I showed at an early age was not supported by my parents. Even though I grew up the child of alcoholic parents, and suffered through physical and emotional abuse I knew that someday I would be able to chase my dreams of being a photographer.
As I grew older and started working, I would buy disposable cameras just so I could take photos and eventually worked my way up to an inexpensive point and shoot model about 20 years ago. By this time my sister and friends had started having children, so I would take pictures of them whenever I had the opportunity.
I purchased my first 35mm film camera in my early 30’s and would drive around Boca Raton taking photos of anything that peaked my interest. I would also go against what everyone thought to be “normal” photography… I took photos of sunrises with black and white film. I’ve never done the expected.
In 2012 I suffered a major setback in my life. I became very ill and could no longer work a 9 to 5 job. My husband at the time supported me in my dream to take some time and focus on photography. He purchased me my first DSLR and without any formal training in how to use a camera… I just started shooting. I spent some time experimenting and found my true passion lies in portraiture and fine art photography. I went to a local art school to look into taking a beginner’s class, but when the instructor saw my work he insisted I take his intermediate class so he could work with me.
He encouraged me to share my work in competitions, and in September 2012, four of my earliest photographs were chosen for the final jury round in the 2012 International Fine Art Photography Competition for the Grand Prix de la Découverte in Paris, France.
I am proud to have received the accolades of the diverse and distinguished international panel of jurors including well-renowned photographers and museum curators at such an early stage in my career. I mostly shoot using only natural light and don’t believe in labeling myself or my art into any certain style or category. I shoot what catches my eye and my images include an eclectic mix of nature, architecture, portraiture and abstract works that I believe appeals to a wide audience. My dream is to be able to show my work in a gallery setting and have people interested in purchasing my work.
Although I dream of having my work in galleries, I also love portraiture and working with young women for a very important reason. I was bullied, beaten, called horrible names and my self-esteem was non-existent growing up. I am also recently out of a relationship where I was put right back in that position… I was verbally, emotionally and physically abused and told I was worthless. It took a lot of courage to get out of that situation and to fight to get back my self-worth.
I have found that so many young women today face these same self-esteem issues, from being bullied at school to having people tear them down online or some may even have gone through the same type of abuse I endured. I hear “I’m so ugly, I take terrible pictures” so many times and I feel like it is my job to show these young ladies that they are beautiful. They are worthy and to help them have the best possible experience while having their portraits done.
I have a quirky nature that allows me to get them to laugh and relax and when I get a good shot, I make it a point to show it to them. More often than not the response I get from them is: “That’s really ME?” If just one picture I take makes a girl feel beautiful, then I’ve done my job.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I wish I could say that it’s been a smooth road, but I think every artist goes through similar struggles of getting their work to stand out from others in their field and having it seen.
I also have to fight a physical disability that prevents me from doing certain types of functions which limits my ability to showcase my work. I suffer from debilitating chronic migraines, cluster headaches and peripheral neuropathy in my legs. I also suffer from depression. I’ve battled depression much of my adult life, but it became much worse after my mother took her own life in 2007.
It’s especially difficult to battle invisible illnesses because many people truly have no idea how much pain a person can be in because it’s not like you’re looking at someone with a broken leg or arm. The pain that we go through is very real and we must battle not only the pain but the stigma attached to our diseases.
Please tell us about Renée Dain Photography.
I am just one woman with a camera and don’t have fancy equipment or lighting. I love to shoot the unexpected and feel a great sense of pride when someone likes my work enough to display it in their home or office. My fine art photography selection is quite eclectic… everything from architecture to abstract works.
My biggest accomplishment to date is having four of my earliest photographs chosen for the final jury round in the 2012 International Fine Art Photography Competition for the Grand Prix de la Découverte in Paris, France. To have world-renowned photographers and museum curators think that much of my work when I had just started shooting still blows my mind!
When it comes to portraiture, I specialize in working with teen girls because I find that I can relate to them, especially if they are struggling with self-esteem issues. I work especially well with them because I struggled through many of the same things, and have emerged from an abusive relationship stronger than ever. I have an upbeat and quirky personality that puts them at ease and I make it a point to let every young person know that they are special.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I would have started much earlier in my life and not waited so long to chase my dreams.
However, I feel that the challenges and obstacles I’ve had in my life make me the person and the artist I am today. Sometimes if I didn’t have to sit down because I was in pain, I would have missed the angle that made a picture so great!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.reneedain.com
- Email: info@reneedain.com
- Instagram: @reneedainphotography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReneeDainPhotography
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