By Matthew Holcomb

Amidst boxes of bed springs and powers cords, peculiar metal structures and old furniture, photographer Bruce Bettis conceptualizes his next set design. It is this passion for design and location scouting that has sent Bettis seeking eroded warehouse locales and scrap yard props throughout New England.

Despite years of experience, it was only a short time ago that Bettis made the jump to professional photographer. “I was an IT Network Manager for about ten years until I was laid off three years ago,” said Bettis. “I had been shooting photography as a hobby for many years and making money at it. So I decided to just jump into professional photography. I feel like I should‘ve been doing this 20 years ago.”

A self-educated photographer, Bettis began shooting live music shows and band promo shots, developing the hard-edge industrial aesthetic that permeates through much of his work.

It was this strong connection with the local music community that provided a perfect canvas to polish and refine his talent. “I would ask friends for photo passes to get into a show and take pictures just to give away at first,” said Bettis. “I got the photo bug and I couldn’t stop shooting.”

Bettis matured from shooting small venues for free to covering large events for local magazines. “I spent a lot of time shooting shows through Central Massachusetts. I shot events at Tammany Hall and The Palladium. I would shoot as many bands as I could. It was an incredible learning experience.”

After a lengthy tour shoulder-to-shoulder with frenzied crowds and navigating quick duct tape camera repairs during particularly boisterous affairs, Bettis began to drift from his live show roots. “I started to get burnt out,” said Bettis. “Magazines were not paying so I stopped shooting live shows except for friends’ bands.”

As one door began to close, others began to open. Bettis began shooting behind-the-scene shots of hair and makeup sessions for local fashion shows. Eventually, these shoots lead to headshot photography, and it was here that Bettis discovered a new passion. “I was shooting more lifestyle and model images, which allowed me to become more creative with light and sets,” said Bettis. “I realized I liked creating sets and diving into the design of the sets more than that actual shooting. Seeing the sets I built and the model together.”

In the span of only a handful of years, Bettis’ portfolio has grown immensely and now includes professional headshots, restaurants, food and drink photography, family portraits, event photography, and weddings ~ and he’s also embraced a new part-time gig shooting fan events and pre-game ceremonies for the Red Sox and Celtics.

Bettis’ plans for the future include exploring new mediums outside photography~ including pursuing his interest in set design ~ as well working with video. It seems, however, that the foundation of his artistic endeavors remain focused on digital photography, “No matter what the subject of the shoot is I give it my best and do it with passion.”

Those interested in contacting Bettis can reach him through email at bruce@zeroflesh.com. Bettis welcomes and encourages interested parties to offer creative input and collaborate with him on envisioning a shoot. You can catch a glimpse of Bettis’ work at www.zeroflesh.com while he works on launching his new page at www.brucebettis.com.