Take a visual trip around the foothills with fine art photographer Chris Bruner
As a child, Chris Bruner spent his youth roaming the Carolinas alongside his grandfather, learning how to appreciate our region’s beauty from behind a camera lens. Naturally, when the darkroom called him to follow family footsteps and pursue his passion as a fine art photographer, capturing iconic scenes of the Upstate for enthusiastic collectors followed, too.
“I spent years traveling up and down the East coast for art shows,” reveals Bruner, who originally focused on showcasing images of photos, like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, taken all across the globe. “Then, seven years ago, the opportunity came up to move into one of the Art Crossing at Riverplace studios in downtown Greenville, and I jumped on that.”
As he began building his business in his hometown, Bruner shifted his focus to the foothills, and his studio walls are rich in evocative, sophisticated images of Falls Park, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and charming coastal hideaways like Pawleys Island. Having cut his teeth on film, Bruner now works in digital, but his love of black-and-white photography endures throughout his portfolio.
A Visual Journey with Chris Bruner
“From the time you take the picture until you get the final print, there is a process that you need to master—just like printing in a dark room [with chemicals],” says Bruner. “There are so many variables. The paper, the inks. There’s so much you have to learn. I’ve really honed in on the printing aspect of my business, and I do a lot of printing for painters and other photographers.” In fact, a busy part of Bruner’s studio is the custom frame shop.
“One thing that sets me apart is that I control the entire process, from taking the picture to handing you the framed work,” adds Bruner, who enjoys showing clients the difference that subtle levels of gloss can make in the final print. He performs every single step—including cutting the glass to size. “You can expect top quality, because I only sell what I’m proud of.”
The next time you’re on an adventure downtown, take a picturesque detour off Main Street to Bruner’s studio. “Photography is really an escape for me,” he says, smiling. “I could spend days walking around historic Charleston shooting pictures. Or, if I need a getaway, I love to pack [my gear] and get on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s so isolated—you can really get lost in your own thoughts and create that way.”
A Custom Printing Experience
You captured the perfect moment on your camera or phone—it deserves the perfect print. Bruner works with customers to edit and transform their photos into stunning original prints with hand-cut glass and a custom-made frame.
Chris Bruner Studio, 300 River St., Ste. 110, Greenville, chrisbrunerphotography.com
