Christopher M

Location: New York, NY, United States

Available for hire: Yes

Rate: $225.00/hour

About:
As you've probably seen, I shoot everything, and in a rather uniquely modern, detailed, structured, and stylized way. Weddings, portraits, landscapes, architecture, industrial decay, abstracts, nudes (though that last category of images isn't for public view). I enjoy it all! So long as I can visualize ahead of time the set of images that I'd like an assignment or project to yield, I feel it's just a matter of creative problem solving. I just have to figure out how to get the hunk of glass and metal I bring to the job to translate what exists into what I see in my head. Of course I don't pre-visualize every image I end up publishing - on the contrary, the majority of the images in my portfolio have come from wandering around a general idea and letting instincts take over. To kickstart the creative process and ensure a successful shoot, however, I feel it's critical to have at least part of the final portfolio images in my head before the job even begins. So before you hire me, I'll probably ask if you have a vision for the photographs you're commissioning from me. If not, that's okay - but I'll want to try to craft one that we're both equally excited about prior to commencement of the job.

For weddings and events - jobs where a story unfolds - my approach is primarily photojournalistic. The goal is to help people remember the story by capturing it in a stylized, artistic way with an emphasis on the all the details and moments that build to the day's climax. I prefer to be as unintrusive as possible, only commanding attention during formals or bride & groom sessions. Having a talent for staying out of the way goes hand in hand with having a knack for shooting great candids. I can work exclusively in color or B&W, but I prefer to be able to mix both. Always running in the back of my mind - like itunes behind the web browser - is my unyielding desire to create fine art, so in addition to the documentary images you expect from the evening, you may also find that your proofs include some images worthy of gallery display. You can find an example of what I'm talking about under the "commercial > yankee stadium" section of my portfolio at www.perspectiveworks.com . There you'll find images that were shot at a wedding in the few free minutes I had away from the events. The bride and groom have huge prints of them in their living room, and the strength of them has yielded me other Yankee-related work.

Portraits and fashion I like to structure similarly. A concept meeting between us will help define what we're looking to achieve visually. Whatever that is, we'll be sure to nail it during the shoot - but time always needs to be set aside for playful improvisation as well.

Regarding architectural and interior work: this is perhaps my greatest love. Asking if I'd like to shoot a building or space is like asking if I'd like some chocolate. Uh, let me think about that... yes. Crafting the interesting and dynamic out of the otherwise mundane, or finding and framing the most telling details of a structure I pursue with the same fervor as my grandmother in search of a puzzle's corner pieces.

Always included in my fee is processing and retouching of all images. Whereas the creative process in the past ended with a click of the shutter, now it just begins. The mainstreaming of digital has now given photographers the use of a palate that historically has only been available to painters. The same click can now yield a grainy, gritty B&W expose of your dark side, or a hyper-real, super-saturated interpretation of you and your intellectual veracity. Depending on your requirements I can provide just a DVD of the final images, or fine art prints, albums, magnets, keychains, t-shirts... you get the idea. Drop me a line and tell me what you're thinking. Tell me a bit about what you're looking for and I'll reply with the vision your words inspire.

Best,

Chris

Specialties:
Corporate Events, Sports, Objects and Still Life, Parties, Architecture, Events, Portraits, Kids, Beauty and Fashion, Animals and Wildlife, Weddings, Artistic, Food and Drink, Nature

More Info Link: http://www.perspectiveworks.com

Christopher is a Snapm power user