Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Robbins.
Hi Christopher, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In 1980 when I was going into 7th grade in High School, we had to pick one vocational course. Driving home from that orientation, my mother suggested photography. I remember it as if a light bulb was turned on at that moment, I wanted to be a photographer. My father bought me my first camera and taught me how to use it.
Luckily for me, Chantilly High School in Chantilly, VA, had a a great program. We had a lab, studio lighting area, and an amazing instructor, Mr. Kelleher. I took Photography from 7 grade through 12th grade, then enrolled in The Rhode Island School of Photography in 1984-86. In photo school I learned to understand and control light from teachers that were true Masters in the field. We had hours of time in the studio and available models to practice lighting techniques. This is where I realized I had a special love for fashion photography. After graduating, I got a job as a photo assistant to fashion photographers in Georgetown, Washington, DC. This is where I learned more about the business, and began traveling with these photographers who shot catalogs. I assisted for two years, saving money, and began shooting models for my portfolio. I remember reading my favorite magazine, American Photographer, that had a story of how young photogs were going to Milan, Italy, to get their start in photography. Apparently at the time the Italian magazines liked working with young Americans. With the support of my parents, I decided to go there for a couple years. It was hard at first to get any work, so I just photographed models and worked on my portfolio. At times I would come home to save more money and then return. Eventually it lead to a couple of breaks, as I landed a few jobs with magazines. My time there was where I learned more about fashion and developed my style of photography. Returning to the states was hard because many clients thought my work was to edgy and editorial, not what they were looking for. At this time, I married my high school sweetheart, Bethany, a school teacher, who stood by me, patiently while I tried to my career off the ground.
I worked part time at a retail store, the Gap, as I continued on portfolio appointments with fashion clients. Over a couple of years I began to work for all the Washington DC/Virginia fashion magazines and catalog clients. I opened up a studio in Baltimore for many years, until I felt like NYC was calling my name. One day I got a call from a NYC Photography Agent who had heard about me, and then signed me on to represent me. I moved out of Baltimore and began shooting as an advertising photographer in NYC. My agent, Bruce Levin, bought me countless opportunities as my career flourished. At this time, Bethany and I had four children. I wanted us to move to NY, but they did not like it. I don’t think we could have afforded to move there anyways. So began my commuting back and forth for the last 30 years to this present day. Along the way, there were crucial opportunities that I didn’t pass up. One was a day when a stock company asked me if I would shoot photos of models at a college, just doing college stuff. I thought this sounded strange, nothing like my other jobs. They were offering a lowered rate with many days involved. Thankfully I decided to do it because it began a 10 year relationship with stock company, Getty, Corbis, and many others. I received assignments in France, Spain, England, South Africa, Argentina, Australia, Hawaii, & most of the Caribbean Islands. These assignment were all for lifestyle photography. The stock companies would send me to these places to photograph models doing business, tourists, couples, etc. This is where I learned to generate sellable images for clients throughout the world to use for their advertising purposes. This is where I learned to make quick photography decisions on approach and lighting, to produce as many sellable images as possible on a tight schedule. Later this experience had me well trained for events, weddings, and family portraits. The Stock photography created a great portfolio for me to receive bigger advertising jobs.
Later, I started to realize I loved shooting portraits more than anything. I began to be less interested in selling clients products. As I am still shooting in NYC, I had began building a portrait business in Virginia. Over five years it started to grow to the point where it was overtaking my work in NYC. Today I spend one week a month shooting in NY, the rest of the time I am shooting in Washington DC metro area for many business clients, as well as weddings, events, headshots, and families. I opened up an office/studio in my hometown, Gainesville, Virginia, where I continue to shoot every day. I know I have been blessed with this talent and career, so I volunteer regularly to shoot for charitable companies, Churches, and Missionaries.
I have always just had a love for photographing people. I will do so as long as someone asks me to take there picture.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.christophermichaelphoto.com
- Instagram: christopherrobbins_photo
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/christorobbins
