Feature Photo: Who's That Baby?

Patch readers correctly identified last week's mystery location for "Where in Royal Oak was This Photo Taken?" 

Frank Quin wrote: "Robert Bruce (Photography), on the north side of 11 Mile at Alexander."

His answer is correct, but who's that baby?

That cute baby face belongs to Avery Matt, who will turn 3 in July.

Photographer Robert Bruce said it took about 45 minutes to get the adorable shot with the cooperation of parents Jessica and Mike Matt, of Southgate, who helped pose precious Avery.

"The best time to get a photo like this is when the baby is newborn to 2 days old," Bruce said. "The baby has to be completely asleep. The older they get the more fidgety they can be. Avery was 5 days old. We got the shot on the 10th take or so."

Something just clicked

Bruce has had a studio on 11 Mile Road in Royal Oak for 10 years and the Matts have been with him since the beginning. The couple met in a photography class in Dearborn. When they got engaged in 2003 they had an educated idea about what kind of wedding pictures they wanted. They set out to find the perfect photographer and that led them to Bruce, who has won numerous Bride's Choice Awards for his work. 

Bruce took the Matts' engagement and wedding photographs and the relationship clicked. The couple continues to return to Bruce for family portraits to this day.

"I think the picture he took of Avery is perfect," said Jessica Matt, who has a copy of it on her desk at work in Livonia. "People will stop by and say 'Did you know that picture is on the side of a building in Royal Oak?' I laugh because of course I know that!"

Developing a love for Royal Oak

When Bruce isn't busy taking photographs of kids and brides, he's flying around the country doing commercial shoots. He could easily move his studio to New York, Chicago or Los Angeles, but he prefers to stay in Royal Oak.

"I have a 47-second drive to my studio," he said. "I have been here for 20 years. When you live in Royal Oak, it's like you live in a bubble. You never have to leave. Everything I want to do, I can do right here. I love travelling around the country, but I always love coming back to Royal Oak."

What's next for Bruce? He'll be photographing 32 women vying for the title of the 2013 WRIF Rock Girl. Baby!