You should keep on learning and keep on developing new techniques… if I didn’t enjoy doing what I was doing and just left it there, it’d be very difficult to shoot hotel room after hotel room.
Bruce Vincentiis
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Bruce Vincentiis didn’t set out to become a luxury hotel photographer. In fact, it all started with a four-megapixel point-and-shoot camera and a curiosity for the world around him. From wandering around Southeast Asia with a backpack to building Two Keys Media in Cambodia, Bruce’s journey is anything but conventional.
In this episode, Bruce walks us through that winding path, starting in a high school darkroom, detouring through landscape photography and urban exploration, and eventually landing in the world of high-end hospitality photography. And yes, it all somehow ties back to an exhibit of steam locomotives (you’ll have to hear that part to believe it).
We talk about what it really takes to shoot luxury hotels. Think unpredictable weather, tight spaces, demanding brand guidelines, and endless post-processing. Bruce shares how he taught himself everything from scratch (shoutout to YouTube and stubborn curiosity), and how he now leads a team producing everything from sweeping drone visuals to intimate food shots.
Despite the polish of his final images, Bruce opens up about the not-so-glamorous parts of the job and why personal projects still matter to him, even when creativity gets boxed in by commercial needs. We also touch on his dream assignment (hint: white sand and overwater bungalows), and how staying hungry to learn keeps him moving forward.
In this conversation, we cover:
- How Bruce accidentally turned a passion into a full-time gig through some gutsy networking and a bit of luck.
- The tricky parts of hotel photography that nobody tells you about (small rooms + moody weather = stress).
- Why side projects and drone flying are his secret to staying creatively energized.
- Tips for anyone looking to break into this niche, and why relationships matter just as much as your portfolio.
Bruce brings a lot of honesty, warmth, and practical advice to the table, and whether you’re a photographer or just someone curious about the craft, this one’s full of gems. Hope you enjoy the chat!
Q: How did you get into photography? Does it run in your family or was it just a hobby you picked up?
Bruce: I got into photography during high school, like many photographers do. My parents signed me up for an after-school photography club, probably to keep me busy a bit longer. They got me a second-hand Yashica camera, and with it, I photographed school events. We set up a photography club, complete with a darkroom where we developed negatives and made prints, which was an exciting hands-on experience.
Q: What are some of the challenges that you have come across with photographing hotels and how have you overcome them?
Bruce: The biggest challenge in hotel photography is the weather, as we can never rely on ideal conditions. We’re often constrained by fixed schedules, with specific times and dates for shooting certain areas due to room bookings, so we must adapt creatively to whatever weather we face. Another significant challenge is working in tight spaces, particularly small guest rooms, where hotels want the spaces to appear larger. This requires careful composition to create the illusion of more space.
Q: How do you continue to evolve creatively when you’re working in such a specialized niche where you are potentially limited in your creativity?
Bruce: I think the thing there is be very careful not to become stagnant in your style. You should keep on learning and keep on developing new techniques that you can use that still adhere to what you’ve got to produce. So whether it’s the lighting or the post-production techniques and just change it, changes slightly, your style of photography.
🔗 Connect with Bruce
- 📸 Instagram: @brucevincentiis
- 🏨 Website: Two Keys Media
- 🌏 Portfolio focus: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos — and a dream to shoot in the Maldives
🧭 Highlights from the Episode
📷 Bruce’s Journey
- Started with landscape and urban exploration photography in Cambodia
- Rediscovered photography on solo travels through Southeast Asia with a 4MP point-and-shoot
- Self-taught through YouTube, internet cafés, and trial & error
- First paid job came after an exhibition of steam locomotives led to a hotel purchasing his pool shot—for $20
- Built a business by solving real client needs: merging video, food, lifestyle, and interior photography under one roof
🔍 Behind the Lens
- Biggest challenge: Unpredictable weather and small spaces—often has just 5 minutes between rain bursts to get the shot
- Post-processing: Often takes 30 minutes to 3 hours per image, using exposure bracketing, flashed ambient, and luminosity masks in Photoshop
- Brand guidelines from hotel chains like Marriott can restrict creativity—but smaller boutique hotels allow more artistic freedom
- Personal projects help him test lighting and composition while keeping his passion alive
🛠️ Gear & Tools
- Nikon Z7II – Bruce’s main camera for high-res details
- Laowa 20mm f/4 Zero-D Shift – Used for 98% of his shots to minimize distortion
- Manfrotto Geared Tripod Head – Critical for stable bracketed exposures
- CamRanger 2 – Wireless tethering with live iPad view for remote flash work
- Drone Photography – Adds a creative layer with negative space and geometric framing; Bruce operates drones in Cambodia and Thailand himself
- Software: Adobe Photoshop with luminosity masks, careful layering, and selective lighting adjustments
🧠 Creative Strategy
- Embraces genre fusion: landscape, architecture, urbex, and interior styles
- Prioritizes composition through feel, especially when strict rules (e.g. rule of thirds) aren’t practical
- Believes in continuous learning—no formal training, but constantly evolving techniques
- Uses free shoots to build relationships with hotels, experiment without pressure, and grow his portfolio
- Finds artistic freedom in drone work, where restrictions are fewer and the sky really is the limit
🌍 Locations & Standouts
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Bruce’s home base and where his career launched
- Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach – A favorite property to shoot for its beauty and incredible team
- Maldives – The dream destination he’s working toward
🔮 What’s Next for Bruce & Two Keys Media
- Exploring more natural lighting styles and creative evolution in commercial work
- Recently approved by Marriott and ACCO brands
- Expanding services into Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Maldives
- Building a team: looking to add a food photographer and stylist
