An exhibit of West Springfield photographer Branden Bruso’s travel photos is on display at the West Springfield Library through Feb. 28.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Whether it is far flung locales or the hidden gems of the Northeast, travel encourages people to preserve memories by photographing their experiences. The West Springfield Library has put the travel photographs and memories of resident Branden Bruso on display throughout the month of February.
Browsing through Bruso’s work, there are shots of dogs and children playing, colorful graffiti and photos of West Springfield. However, Bruso described travel photography as his “bread and butter.”
“I just enjoy photography in general. I also love adventure, so the interests just sort of came together,” he said. “I take photos everywhere I go.”
While speaking with Reminder Publishing, Bruso was on a trip to the state of Washington with his trusty Nikons — a Z9 and Z62 — in hand.
Bruso, a West Springfield employee and freelance photographer for Reminder Publishing, began teaching himself photography about seven years ago, but said he “got serious” about it in 2020. He said the coronavirus pandemic shutdown gave him plenty of time to focus on learning photography.
The library exhibit — Bruso’s third — features photos from his journeys, with shots from New York, Boston, Rhode Island and locations further afield. Much of his photography leans heavily on using light and shadows to create drama and natural framing, from alleyways to river gorges.
“I gravitated toward those kinds of styles” in the work of others, Bruso said. He learned how to use techniques to capture similar effects. “As I traveled, it was just about photographing where I was.”
Part of what Bruso likes about being featured in an exhibit is the opportunity to share more than just an image. “I love telling the stories behind them. I can tell you where I was, what I was thinking,” he said.
Photography has opened new avenues to Bruso, who is working on building a photography business. Eventually, he said he would like to pick up videography, as well. Despite having an extensive portfolio, Bruso feels there is still much to learn about photography as an art. He said he has only “scratched the surface” of what he could do with the medium. “I just find it’s endless, the things I can explore.”
The exhibit runs through Feb. 28, with a reception on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 6 p.m. in the library’s lobby.
