Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Garcia.
Hi Chris, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been a creative person. I remember in 7th grade when I was first able to take electives, art class was the first class I chose. I recall painting a pretty cool looking bouquet of flowers for my mom. It actually looked pretty good. I’m no Rembrandt, but I definitely saw how I wanted it lit up in my mind. Fast forward to college years. I attended the Art Institute of Dallas. I wanted to get into Animation. Pixar was the big name and that just seemed like fun. It was around that time frame where creating art with medium like chalk, oils, acrylics and so on was what I enjoyed most. It wasn’t until around 2000 when I picked up my first camera. I started working at Wolf Camera where I got to play with all the latest film cameras at that time and learn some basics. Unfortunately, life happened and I was completely away from anything art related for a good chunk of time. Fast forward to 2007, when my daughter was born. I wanted to get into photography enough to capture some great images of her as she grew up. Because I am a creative at heart, I couldn’t just snap photos, I wanted to start creating. I purchased a digital camera, I believe it was a Nikon D65. This is the genesis of my journey. I learned and learned and learned some more. To this day, thats what I do. I learn and try to become better. I focus on trying to create the best images possible. I have added cameras and lenses. I have added lights and back drops. I have added many things, but to be honest with you, the best thing I have added has been Self confidence. This has help me so much in my journey as a photographer/creative.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
A smooth road? HAHA! By far it has not been a smooth road. I remember telling myself, ok, I climbed 10 ft, but I fell 9ft. At least I am higher up than I was the day prior. You just have to keep your head up. In this industry, you have self doubt, you have others who have better work, you have people who are doing better than you, and others who don’t acknowledge you. All that is false if you just believe in yourself. That was the biggest struggle for me. My wife tells me all the time to stop being my own critic because I will always find the things that are wrong. It wasn’t until the last two years where I really started to tell myself that I am pretty good at what I do. I’m not good at what others do. I am only good at what I do. Of course there are other challenges on the business side of things, but thats just business.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a create portrait photographer. I specialize in creating portraits with dynamic lighting. Being a sports portrait photographer, I naturally fall into the category of action sports as well. Although I am pretty good at that, I love creating a great creative sports, senior, or family portrait. There are many other portrait photographers in the area. Many of them have work I admire. Where I differ is when it comes to the session itself. I enjoy taking the time to know my clientele. Hearing about their lives and learning about what they love, helps me capture who they are in their portrait. Yeah, that sounds artsy and all, but in all honesty, if you just see a lens pointed at you and you have no idea who I am, it’s kind of odd. In our conversation, we get to know one another. We build a trust. A friendship in a way. Sure, they have seen my work prior and know I will bring a great product in the end, but how I get it is my method. Many of my clients have returned. Not just for great photos, but because I do make an effort to be a part of the photo session. I like to know we walked away as friends.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chrisgarciaphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisgarciaphotographydfw/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CGPhotographyDFW
