Doug Bruns on Dry Spells, Discipline, and the Long Game

In this episode of the Street Photography Magazine podcast, Bob and I had the chance to sit down with photographer Doug Bruns. And the conversation we had was the kind that sticks with you long after it’s over. We talked about how growing up around cameras and photographers shaped his path, and how a formative trip abroad set him on a lifelong journey of travel and image-making. But this episode goes way beyond origin stories. We talked about what it means to photograph for yourself instead of for validation, how stepping away from social media impacted Doug’s creativity, and why committing fully to black and white photography gave him a surprising sense of freedom. We also got into the realities of creative dry spells, discipline, and the long, often nonlinear relationship we have with our work. Doug shared a few stories that really stayed with me too, especially one about discovering a sculpture deep in the Maine wilderness that reshaped how he thinks about creativity and purpose. This isn’t just a conversation about photography. It’s about identity, intention, and figuring out how to stay connected to your creative voice over time. If you’ve ever questioned why you make photos, or if you’ve ever felt stuck, distracted, or disconnected from your work, I think you’ll find something meaningful in this one. Links from the show Doug’s Website Doug on PixelFed Doug on Glass The photography of Alison Wright A Selection of Doug’s Photos P.S. You can also watch our conversation on YouTube.