Photographer Bruce Clarke

—First and foremost – whom can you name as the best photographer in Edmonton, Canada? :)

—I really appreciate and admire the work of many photographers in the city including Carey Nash, Kelly Redinger, Haley Shandro, Jill Coursen, Buffy Goodman, and more.

—Are you photogenic?

—I think everyone is photogenic, including ourselves. That being said, I think I do better on the other side of the camera.

—How did you get in the photography industry?

—Initially through our love of travel and that led to photographing live events. One of the first major events we photographed was the David Foster charity fundraiser where we got to spend several days following Grammy award-winning composer David Foster around with our cameras to document the event.

—What are the most important components of a good photo in your opinion?

—Emotion, story and good lighting

—Do you love traveling?

—Who doesn't? It's one of our favourite things to do as a couple.

—What do you like most about your profession?

—The variety and opportunity to meet people from different walks of life.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—Never having a Saturday to ourselves during the summer

—What will be the future of photography?

—Drones, robots and AI

—What is special in the photography genre you specialise at?

—It's always changing and technology keeps pushing us to innovate

—How do you handle criticism?

—It depends on how it's delivered but generally pretty well.

—Are there any trends in photography?

—There are always trends just like there are in fashion, music, design, etc. I could name a few trends today but by next week they likely wouldn't be trends anymore.

—What should be the criteria for a customer to choose a photographer?

—Love their work, enjoy their personalities and trust that they are a professional and allow them the freedom to create.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—Making the shoot only about what the photographer wants or needs.

—What details that usually pass unnoticed can a photographer notice?

—So many things. Posing, hand positions, lighting, color balance.

—What influences the value of a photo? What are its elements?

—How difficult was it to achieve the photograph? For example, some wildlife or landscape photos might take several years of visiting the same location at the same time just to get that right mix of lighting, weather, etc to get the shot. It could add up to hundreds and hundreds of hours for just that one magic second.

—What person can be the symbol of the 21st century in your opinion?

—Steve Jobs

—Who do you want to take photos of?

—Taylor Swift

—Do you have any professional taboos?

—Not that I can think of

—Who would you like to shoot with?

—Joe McNally

—What do you worry about, and why?

—The future of our industry and whether people still value photography.

—What is the most impressive moment in your life?

—The moment I married Sarah. Or the time we jumped off a perfectly good mountain in Nepal

—If you were a cartoon, book or movie character, who would you be and why?

—Goofy because I always tend to be silly and joke around

—Who inspires you in your life and why?

—Bill Gates. He could easily retire and sit back enjoying his fortune but he's working hard every day to make the world a better place.

—How do you define success? How do you measure it?

—By how fulfilled and happy you are.

—Would you rather be liked or respected?

—Respected

—When you're going to travel, what do you take with you and why?

—Comfortable shoes because we love to walk everywhere when we travel. Also, my camera to capture the moments and my iPad for entertainment and staying in touch.

—Is there anything among your gadgets that you wish you haven't bought? Why?

—Fish-eye lens. I thought it was cool when I first got it but the thing never comes out of my camera bag.

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—Studying other people's photos. Online classes. Practice shoots

—Whose work has influenced you most as a photographer?

—Joe McNally

—What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?

—How hard it would be owning a business and how little time you actually get to spend behind the camera when you turn your passion into a career.

—What do you want to say with your photographs?

—I don't really have anything to say but I want people to be able to look back on their photos and feel the moment.

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—Knowing that we are capturing moments in time that will never happen again.

—Should your parents have been more or less strict?

—Neither. I think they did a pretty good job considering the material they had to work with.

—If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

—Spend more time travelling when I was younger.

—What about life on other planets?

—I have no doubt that we are not the only planet in the universe with life on it.

—Who are your heroes?

—Teachers. Doctors. Nurses. Police. Firefighters

—Who do you have no respect for?

—Donald Trump

—What do you do in your spare time?

—We love to build puzzles. I've recently gotten back into reading again.

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—When the clients are happy.

—Do you believe in the traditional roles for men and women?

—Nope

—Do you make friends easily?

—I'm fairly outgoing so I suppose I can make friends easily but I'm still careful about who I choose to become friends with.

—Where would you like to live?

—Either in a cabin in the mountains or in a house on an island near the water

—What's the stupidest thing you've ever agreed to do?

—Sing in front of an audience while living in Japan

—Is there life after marriage?

—Of course. Marriage is only the first of many steps.

—Do you have a favourite joke? Tell us.

—Why did the blonde get fired from the M&M factory? She kept throwing out all the Ws.

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—Dogs

—Who or what do you hate?

—Politics

—The best thing in life is:

—The smell of a campfire or when you open a new bag of coffee beans

—The most annoying thing in life is:

—Taxes

—Is there anything around you that you would like to change?

—I'd love to redo my office space

—What would you like to change in yourself?

—I'd love to have more motivation

—What would you like to change in the world?

—Eliminate poverty and hunger

—Can you give a few tips for photographers who are just starting out?

—Learn your camera and learn how to shoot in all conditions before you ever start to think about starting a photography business. Understand business and research things like market rates, cost of doing business, etc.

—If aliens come to the Earth and you are the first person they meet, what will you tell them?

—I'm not very tasty?

—If you are called to shoot a movie, what genre will it be?

—Comedy

—Tomorrow I will go and do...

—something that makes me feel happy