New in town: Hope Bruns
Age:
27.
Status:
Single.
Current location:
Charleston, SC.
Moved from:
Raleigh, NC.
Rent or own?
Rent.
What made you move to the area?
I have a lot of family, and I have always loved the area.
Was this move planned or spontaneous?
I had thought about making the move for a few years but the decision to actually resign from my job, uproot my whole life, and move to another state was pretty spontaneous. It all happened within a few weeks.
Were you able to make new friends?
Yes, I am making friends through work and family.
Cost of living here compared to your previous location:
It is definitely more expensive here than in the Raleigh, NC area. I expected that though, as Charleston is such a tourist city.
Traffic situation:
Traffic is a little worse here. I’ve noticed the worst of it is on the bridges, people drive so slowly over them! Port traffic is also something I haven’t had to deal with before.
Advice for the town mayor:
Mount Pleasant could benefit from a government-funded community art center!
What would you bring from your old town?
All of my friends that I left behind! And a few family members that hopefully won’t be too far behind me in their move here.
Do you call this place home?
I think I am starting to feel at home in Charleston. I certainly love it here, and I have been visiting family here since I was little. It still feels somewhat like a visit, since that is what I’m used to.
Favorite restaurants:
I love Lewis BBQ and any of the seafood restaurants at Shem Creek! I’d love to try more restaurants downtown.
Hobbies:
I love to hang out with family and friends, do anything in the sun like go to the pool or go for walks, and cuddling with my two cats!
What do you do for a living?
I went to Appalachian State University and received a degree in Art Education with a concentration in Fine Art Photography. I started my own photography business while also teaching art in a public school five years ago. I specialize in family and newborn photography, although I still love to have fun with alternative darkroom processes as a creative outlet.
When did you discover your artistic side?
I have been taking pictures since I was young and got my first camera, passed down from my uncle who is also a photographer. My mother is also an artist, so I also knew from a young age I wanted a career in the arts one day. In college, I started taking photography courses and fell in love with the process and I’ve been behind my camera ever since! Over the years, I have upgraded and obtained more gear, allowing me to expand my skills and creative vision.
How would you describe the art scene in Charleston?
I have been super surprised and excited to find that Charleston has such an involved art community. From galleries to guilds and community centers, as well as all the tourists who come to see and appreciate the art, Charleston is such a great place to live as an artist. Just in the couple months I’ve been here, I have come across many opportunities to grow as an artist and photographer.
Studies show kids’ creativity has dropped since the 90s. What can parents do to help?
A big part of the decline comes from kids having less unstructured time to just explore and play. Creativity thrives in those moments when there’s no “right” answer. Technology has also changed how kids spend their free time, which can be both a blessing and a distraction. One of the best things parents can do is create an environment where curiosity is valued more than perfection. That means celebrating effort and exploration, not just polished results.
What impact do you think artificial intelligence will have on art and photography?
I hear people say “AI is going to steal your job” all the time. I’m not worried about AI replacing me as a photographer because great photography is more than just producing an image, it’s about the human connection, the intuition, and the emotional eye behind the lens. I think AI can be a helpful tool, I even use it sometimes to aid in photo editing.
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