Client Profile

Owen Bruce

Who is he?
A 21-year-old photographer from Penticton, B.C., who began photography as a hobby in his hometown during high school, who quickly migrated to Toronto to begin working with Chantale Nadeau Model Placement (whom Owen credits with his 'discovery'); as well as Sutherland, Elmer Olsen, Elite and Next - relationships he credits as building a solid start in the industry.

Now based in New York, where he is in his 4th year studying photography at the School of Visual Arts, he currently shoots editorial, advertising and creatives with models from Marilyn, Supreme, Women, DNA and Ford. After completing a 9 month internship at world renowned photo agency Art+Commerce, Owen moved to Management&Production to work as a production assistant.

Among his idols and inspirations he lists Inez & Vinoodh, Mikael Janson, Alasdair McLellan, Daniel Jackson, Hedi Slimane, Claudia Knoepfel & Stefan Indlekofer and Camilla Akrans.

"If I had to describe my style, it would be summarized as a muted, unkempt elegance. My girls are generally quiet, always beautiful, a bit dark. Everything is generally clean (in terms of makeup, hair, light) but a little off. Beautiful, sensual, self aware girls in beautiful clothes, looking beautiful. I prefer to shoot on location, with natural light, and natural light in studio as well. If that can't be had, I'll do my best to replicate."

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Kate Somers (Ford), by Owen Bruce
styling: Tasha Cain; hair: Ryan Taniguchi; makeup: Mary Douglas

Casts Models for:
"Editorial, advertising (lookbooks, etc), creatives. Always building my portfolio. I avoid paid tests like the plague."

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Jessiann (Montage), by Owen Bruce
styling: Rene LeBlanc; hair & makeup: Marco Marsolais

What you look for when you cast models?
"I generally book a model off of their polaroids or from a face to face meeting, and almost always work with new faces-- not necessarily by choice, but by circumstance. I try to always work with girls who have a runway presence on the international scene. Shoots are often built around an inspiring model, or around a model who fits the clothing concept."

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Addison Gill (Sutherland), by Owen Bruce
styling: Juliana Schiavinatto; hair & makeup Susana Hong

What turns you off to a model?
"Being late, being rude. Time constraints like having to leave a shoot early always makes everything more rushed, though sometimes can't be avoided. Being uncomfortable in your skin can make things a bit of a challenge at times. The best girls are the models who move without inhibitions, try new things on their own and push me to be a better photographer."


Zuzana Straska (DNA), by Owen Bruce
styling: Tasha Cain; hair: Ryan Taniguchi; makeup: Mary Douglas