In the latest episode of our podcast, *Photo Country*, we had the incredible opportunity to talk with Bryce Groves, a purpose-driven creative and experienced art director with more than two decades of advertising industry experience. Bryce’s career journey is a powerful testament to aligning one's work with deeply held values and passion for activism. In our conversation, we explored Bryce’s unique path from the advertising world to becoming an advocate for environmental causes through creative storytelling. Whether you’re a fellow creative, an environmental enthusiast, or someone looking to infuse more purpose into your work, this conversation with Bryce is sure to inspire you.
As we dove into the episode, Bryce explained that storytelling is a way to make complex topics, like science, accessible and understandable for people. His career has evolved into a focus on purpose-driven creativity, aiming to foster change, not just through protest but by leveraging technological advancements to help the environment.
From Advertising to Activism
I was curious about Bryce’s transition into the creative world, asking, “How did you get started in the creative world? What was the spark?”
Bryce shared his accidental journey into design and advertising. He started working for sign-writing companies, eventually pursued a design qualification, and then studied advertising. This trajectory led him to agencies where he found opportunities, clients with ambition, and budgets that enabled his growth.
Photography: A Side Hustle and a Passion
Another aspect of Bryce's multifaceted career is event photography. He recounted,
“I bought my first SLR when I was studying design and thought I'd need good photographs. Studying photography became a side hustle, allowing me to capture the energy of events and collaborate with professional photographers.”
Environmental Focus and Green Party Projects
Bryce’s focus on environmental causes came through his involvement with organizations like Greenpeace and the Green Party. He explained, “I started volunteering for the Green Party in England, motivating New Zealanders living in London to get involved in New Zealand politics.” Bryce worked on projects like “Crazy Bloody Greens,” a documentary aimed at showcasing the human stories behind political campaigns.
The Challenges of Purpose-Driven Creativity
Discussing the realities of the industry, Bryce noted the difficulty of avoiding greenwashing, the practice of companies falsely portraying themselves as environmentally friendly.
“Applying critical thinking to opportunities is essential,” he said, emphasizing the importance of staying true to one's values while navigating the complexity of the commercial world.
Creativity in Pharmaceutical Advertising
Bryce also talked about his work in pharmaceutical advertising, where creativity plays a vital role in making scientific information engaging and understandable.
One notable project involved creating whimsical, illustrative postcards for multiple sclerosis patients, providing life hacks to make their daily challenges a bit easier.
Launching Dendrophile Prints
Taking his passion for nature to another level, Bryce recently launched Dendrophile Prints, a venture where he sells his nature photography prints.
“It’ll be interesting to see if anyone wants to buy them,” he mused. His photographs not only capture the beauty of nature but aim to communicate the energy and majesty of natural places.
The Future of Purpose-Driven Creativity
Bryce remains optimistic about the future of his work and its impact.
“I love contributing to meaningful projects,” he stated, expressing his hope to work with NGOs, agencies, and companies with established purpose-driven missions.
Collaborating with like-minded individuals and teams is a cornerstone of his creative journey.
Thanks, Bryce, for coming on this podcast. It was great to chat with you. Please do leave a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever they listen to podcasts. Tune in next time for another inspiring conversation. Until then, this is Rajeev signing off.
You can explore Bryce's work and connect with him through the following links:
Bryce’s Main Website: bvg.nz
Event Photography: bvg.photography.squarespace.com
Dendrophile Prints: dendrophileprints.squarespace.com
Don’t forget to try out Magic Mind, the sponsor of this podcast. You have a limited offer you can use now, that gets you up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one-time purchases with code RAJEEV20 at checkout you can claim it at: https://www.magicmind.com/photocountry
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