As promised, I’m going to introduce some new faces behind the scenes. We’ll start with Chris, one of our Associate Photographers. I met Chris about 6 years ago in California. He’s an avid outdoor nut and also one of the funniest people I know — and both these qualities wind up in his photographs. When he’s not shooting weddings, he’s working as a mountain guide and taking pictures of climbing and outdoor sports. He spent January guiding Aconcagua, an Argentinian peak that rises up to almost 23,000 feet, and then toured south shooting the mountains of Patagonia. Check out his portfolio by visiting Dreamtime Images, clicking on the ABOUT tab, and scrolling down to his link.
What follows is a brief introductory bio and some of his favorite shots.
First, his self portrait. A few months ago in New Zealand I checked my email and found this ridiculous photo in my inbox. The big winter surf swells were just hitting California, and Chris wasn’t there to partake. I guess he got a little jealous, so he swept a few feet of snow off a rickety hand rail 15 feet off the deck and had at it. I couldn’t stop laughing.
Chris writes:
Stepping into photography as a full-time professional has been a process that started when I was 14. Black and white photography classes in school opened my eyes to a world of technique, timing and creativity. I remember watching chemical mysteries unfold in tubs of smelly fluids. Some pictures I eagerly waited for, watching for the first signs of shadow and highlights. But every so often I would watch an amazing image unfold that I didn’t recognize, a picture that I hardly remembered taking. The joy of taking pictures didn’t end when the camera went back into the bag.
A camera was within reach during all of my life-changing adventures. The first time I went rock climbing. A year studying music in Kathmandu. A sojourn in Sweden studying international human rights law. Travels in Africa, the Mediterranean and Scandanavia were all documented. Whether I am hanging from the side of a cliff waiting for a climber to lean a little to the left, setting up a tripod moments before a sunset turns orange, or holding my breath in anticipation of a bride and groom’s first kiss, the excitement of capturing life’s moments is nothing short of an adventure.
As I’ve said many times before, Jeremy and Johanna’s wedding (above) was a highlight of my summer. From campfires with marshmallows to side-cramping laughter fests, these two threw a party that reminded me of what it means to find your soul-mate. Jeremy’s smile is that of someone truly in love. What could be better than that?
This picture reminds me that some photographs can move. Sarah and Mark had a wedding in a category of its own. The reception started with an improv show and ended with some of the most hilarious dancing I’ve seen. And right before it all began, I caught the two of them realizing that their lives had just changed in a big, wonderful way.
The thing about weddings is that there’s just crazy love flying around everywhere. When Lizzy and her Dad had their moment on the dance floor, it was clear that they share a father-daughter bond unlike any other.
I never planned on taking this picture. I got together with Megan and Peter to do an engagement shoot, and we laughed more in those few hours than I ever expected. Peter got an idea, Megan refined it and I shot it. I still crack up every time I look at this picture. These two are awesome!
I want to make a mega-huge-monster-sized print of this and hang it on the wall. When I’m not taking pictures of weddings, I go ice climbing. Not only do I love the cool colors and tree textures in this, it also happens to be a picture of the best ice climber in the world.
This picture was taken right before I was attacked by an angry elk. Must have been something I said. Sometimes you have to remember that no matter what happens… keep taking pictures!
On Christmas Day I offered to document a holiday meal for the homeless at the Rock Bottom Foundation. Admittedly, I wasn’t sure who would want their picture taken and who would not. As it turned out, most people didn’t mind. In fact, one man in particular wanted his photo taken as much as possible. He introduced himself as “Disco Willie” and told me that he was going to do a headstand. I’d just arrived, and I wasn’t expecting to have people doing gymnastics — but the next thing I know, I’m looking at an upside down Disco Willie, arms outstretched, no hat. A definite favorite.