Check Out Bri Bunker’s Story

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Bri Bunker.

Hi Bri, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been in love with film and photography. I remember spending my free time in the computer room, and my dad even made me a fake website page like I was on iCarly. It has been amazing to have parents who support your dreams from a young age. They bought me my first video camera and later my first DSLR. When it was time to decide which school I was going to for college, it was clear I would go for film.

Despite my dad finding out I took after him in maths and science, he hoped I’d wanna be an engineer like him. I graduated from Stephens College with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in Digital Filmmaking. After graduating, I didn’t want to return to Texas, where I had spent the last 11 years prior to college. It never felt like home to me, so much so that in the pamphlet for all the graduating students’ hometowns, I wrote Petoskey, Michigan instead. Growing up, I would spend every summer up north. I never missed a summer. Even when COVID hit, I managed to get up there somehow. And no shame, but every script I wrote for school was located in Michigan.

Last May, I decided to quit my retail job, pack my life up, live at my lake house in Petoskey, and completely focus on my film and photography career. I knew where I was living wouldn’t be long-term, but I was determined to meet other creatives and make as much art as possible. These past months, I’ve been experimenting with my craft and leaning toward strengths I already knew I had. I moved to Grand Rapids this past October and have met many incredible people. I’ve been enjoying this evolution I’m going through.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have been ups and downs for sure. Being an artist, there will always be a struggle. I noticed the battles I was facing early on were personal. I had to deal with family members and loved ones that obstructed my progress. I’ve become extremely assertive with my boundaries as an artist and person. This path has felt extremely spiritual and healing, which has left me insecure at times, but I’ve noticed that others respond to vulnerability.

I’m learning to be more open and communicate my thoughts more. I have always depended on myself and been very guarded, which has created a divide in bonding with others. A career is all about creating a community, finding others who are passionate about everything that you are, and learning with them. As I’m growing as a person, I can see the evolution in my work. I have always admired emotion in art and I can see it oozing from some of my pieces.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve been into film from an early age, particularly creating and visualizing. I have a background in art direction and production design. When people ask me what kind of photography I do, I always feel reluctant to say portrait photographer, but they feel so much more than that. The term doesn’t feel like it captures enough, but I think that’s because my background is in film.

It is more than just a photo, it is a story, I am just capturing a moment of it. What I’ve been leaning into right now is these video modeling shoots where I’ve been calling it “fluid modeling”. I can create an aesthetic video where no matter where you pause it, it’s a photo.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I take inspiration from song lyrics, TV shows, or emotions that feel too big to put into words.

Pricing:

• Mini Film Shoots $135
• Headshots $125
• Lifestyle $200
• Standard Videography $200
• Branding $250

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bribunkerartistry.squarespace.com
• Instagram: @bribunker.artistry
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KristinaFerrisTV/featured

Image Credits
Bri Bunker, Bailey Lohrer, Ashley Hans, Addisen Cook, Katherine Marquart, and Victoria Robinson