Still Photographer Lifetime Achievement Award

Bruce McBroom

Bruce McBroom’s earliest memories are of taking snapshots with his Kodak. He recalls his grade school years and knowing his uncles—one owning a photography studio and the other an established actor. By the time Bruce was 13, the photography bug had bitten him. Throughout high school he enrolled in every photography class and shot untold numbers of photos for his yearbooks.

Bruce also coveted his experience of traveling to Warner Brothers with his uncle, David Bruce. Here he saw first-hand, the magic that goes into filmmaking. Bruce’s passion deepened while watching old movies his uncle had acted in with Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland.

Hearing stories about acting and working behind the scenes drove his desire to be part of the industry.

After high school, Bruce enrolled in the photography program at LA Trade Tech College. His first photography job was as assistant to celebrity photographer, Sid Avery, where he learned even more about photography. A few years later, Bruce was invited to join the US Army, where he was a still and motion picture photographer in the Signal Corps.

After his service, Bruce went out on his own, photographing the Rock ‘n’ Roll scene for magazines and the Hollywood scene for the New York Times. He freelanced for ABC TV and his film career began when he was recommended to Blake Edwards for an opportunity to provide special photography for a week on the set of The Party, starring Peter Sellers.

Bruce went on to work with many other award winning directors as still photographer on 48 Hours, Under Fire, Coming to America, Poltergeist, ET, Commando, What’s Up Doc, New York New York, Cannery Row, Godfather Part II, 10, In the Line of Fire, The Hunt for Red October, SOB, Clear and Present Danger, Flight of the Intruder, Twins, City Slickers, 6 Days 7 Nights, Mr. Saturday Night, and Sleepless in Seattle.

In 1969, Bruce joined Local 659 of the International Photographers Union and is a proud member to this day. Bruce takes extraordinary pride in creating photos that become posters that sell movies.

Blackmagic Design congratulates the 2023 Society of Camera Operators Lifetime Achievement Awards nominees and recipients!