Meet Photographer & Studio Owner Robert Bradshaw

We’re ending the not only the year, but the DECADE right with Robert Bradshaw. Robert is many things. A photographer, studio owner, and a wood-fired pizza chef just to name a few! Robert is also a former professor at the Brooks Institute of Photography where he taught for many years. Currently, Robert owns and runs Photogroup, a photo studio here in Austin, Texas.

Robert’s passion for photography started in West Texas and led him to California in his early years. He earned his Masters Degree at the Brooks Institute where he later taught for 11 years out in Ventura, California. Robert’s idea for Photogroup was several years in the making. When Robert eventually made the move back to Texas he knew he’d see his idea grow into what it has become today! Not only is Photogroup a studio space, but its a collective of creatives that Robert has brought together through his passion for photographic art and the community behind it.

We cannot end this introduction without mentioning Fire & Slice, Robert’s wood-fired pizza company. When Robert isn’t behind a camera or at the studio, you can find him in front of a mobile 900º brick pizza oven cooking up some delicious pizza! We are so pleased to have Austin local Robert Bradshaw answer a few questions for us this week. Come see why Robert is an irreplaceable staple in the Austin creative community!

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?

 I started photography in college out in West Texas. I loved that you had to go through critiques. There is nothing like being excited for someone to see your work and then give it feedback. That feedback made me feel like I was progressing. I found it so much more rewarding than sitting through a PoliSci class. I miss those critiques, but not PoliSci. I then decided to attend the Brooks Institute of Photography. I was very fortunate to grab a couple of Masters Degrees and 11 years of teaching experience while I was there.

WHAT WAS A PIVOTAL MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER?

I was at the right “light table” at the right time. I was offered a graduate position at Brooks that allowed me to continue my education. I was out of money at the time. Turns out California is expensive. That led to teaching and then gave me the idea for Photogroup. I miss teaching but it guided me to create something that I’m very proud of today. 

WHAT IS ONE OF THE PROUDEST MOMENTS IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?

I love seeing Photogroup Studios work! I had this idea long before I implemented it. Photogroup Studios at its base is a support system for emerging photographers. So every time a photographer enjoys the space is one of my proudest moments. I’m not much of a salesperson, but Photogroup is one cool place for photographers looking for honest and affordable support. Come by anytime. However, my fondest moment (looking back) was a tough decision I had to make. It took Photogroup about two years to gain traction. About a year and a half in, we were one month away from closing. I rented every room in my house so that I could live as cheap as possible. After that, Photogroup slowly started to support itself. Seven years later and we are still here. I’m proud of that.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE SHOOT TO WORK ON?

We have had some amazing shoots come through here so I don’t really have a favorite. They are all so different and seem to require unique solutions.  The band Kaleo was shot here before they broke. That was very cool. We had a Teen Vogue cover shot here with Lorde. It’s always fascinating to see the production value when it comes to celebrities. We’ve had an entire A&E reality show filmed here. I got to meet photographer Danny Clinch, the Marley Brothers, and John Varvatos on the same day. That blew my mind. One day Rodney Crowell and Emmylou Harris jammed in the studio. I haven’t had chills like that since. I even got to sit on Steve McQueen’s motorcycle one day. The hardest set build was for REI. The set we put together and lit was one of the most challenging things we’ve had here. However, it was one of the most unique things I’ve ever seen.

WHAT ARE SOME OTHER THINGS YOU ENJOY WHEN YOU AREN’T SHOOTING OR RUNNING PHOTOGROUP?

I own a catering company with my brother. It’s a wood fired pizza oven called Fire & Slice. So I guess I really like pizza and smelling like a campfire. :) Thanks to Photogroup I met Kirk Weddle. He took an iconic photograph for the band Nirvana and now we grab a beer once a week and talk about photography. It’s great to have a friend in the photographic trenches with you. So when I’m not shooting, cooking pizza or running Photogroup, I like to grab a beer and talk about photography. :) It’s called the “3:30 Club”. Give me a shout if you want to join us!

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU THINK EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU?

It’s strange to say, but I love photography even more than making photographs. There are so many moving parts, so many talented people, so much inspiration. I don’t even need a camera to love this thing. Take it away and I’m still in.  Maybe it’s that I taught at Brooks for 11 or so years. Just being around creative people keeps me happy. 

 WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO AN ASPIRING PHOTOGRAPHER?

I’d say to stick with it. Everyone says that though. Unfortunately, what I’ve seen is that it takes a while to establish yourself as a strong commercial/advertising or editorial shooter.  However, there are so many ways to live in the industry. From assisting, digital teching, gaffing, etc. There are lots of ways to live a creative life. Hit me up and we can sit down and talk about things anytime. That’s why I started Photogroup. 

WHAT FILMS, BOOKS, ARTISTS, PLACES, OPPORTUNITIES, ECT., HAVE BEEN THE MOST INFLUENTIAL IN SHAPING YOU?

My favorite photographer is Keith Carter. He’s such a creative person and he’s had a wonderful and successful artistic career.  Book 1: On Photography by Susan Sontag. My favorite quote paraphrased, “Photographs furnish evidence that we existed at all”. Book 2: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. It’s a wonderful teaching tool for how to handle some of life’s larger problems. 

WHAT CURRENT PROJECTS ARE YOU WORKING ON?

 I’ve got a series called “Fallen”. It’s a study on animal skeletons. That sounds a little strange, right? However, I am very pleased with the results.

Check out Robert in action:

Website: Photogroup Studios

Website: Fire & Slice

Instagram: @photogroup_austin_studios