We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chris Collado. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chris below.

Alright, Chris thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

Growing up with a dad who was a wedding photographer was an interesting experience as a child. Throughout my childhood, my dad would often take me on various wedding photography assignments. There I would watch my father in action and watched in awe how he effortlessly did what he loved. It was fascinating to observe him set up his camera, lighting equipment and simply just watch him capture moments and turn them into stunning images. As a young child, I wasn’t able to appreciate his work in its fullest extent. I was too young to understand.

He would always tell me, “Christopher, I want you to learn this because you’re much smarter than I am and one day I know you’ll be great”. I do recall not finding this to be of any interest to me. I also remember being very frustrated having to help my dad carry heavy equipment and attend what I used to call “ another new stranger’s wedding “ almost every week. I remember very well just wishing I could spend my Saturdays playing ball at the park with my friends. Throughout my childhood that is how I use to spend much of my Saturdays . As I found myself becoming older, my parents allowed me to have a say whether I wanted to go help my dad or spend it with my mom. I felt both options were not fun options for me. If I had decided to spend the day with mom, I knew this would consist of me having to wake up early and spend about 3 to 4 hours at a hair salon. During those hours waiting, I would basically sit there and listen to a crowd full of ladies having all sorts of conversations about their personal lives, about what happened in the last episode of the novela (latin soap opera) & what the new trends in fashion were. The only good part to this madness was that my mom would afterwards meet with one of her best friends and head to the New Jersey malls. I saw this as a benefit as this gave me the chance to plead with a sad puppy face for a new video game or new toys. So with these two options I would bargain how I spent my weekends.

In high school, I started commuting by train. This led me to explore and discover all the breathe taking scenery, landscape and art that New York City had to offer. By the early 2000s, I began working at Best Buy. This was when the early age of digital cameras began emerging. About a year after I started working there, I purchased a Canon Elph 100 for my Mom as a Christmas gift. I thought it would be the perfect gift for her since she was a teacher. I wanted to help her capture memories of school trips and school events. That camera ended up spending more time in a cabinet than being used until one day I decided to grab it. I went ahead and charged the battery and took it out on a stroll around my neighborhood in Washington Heights. I began capturing everything I saw. From buildings, to squirrels, to cars and people. That same year a friend of mine let me borrow a copy of Adobe Photoshop and thats when my perception of photography and art changed. My love for the craft grew and gave me a level of enthusiasm for creating beautiful and creative composites and manipulations. I kept seeking out new techniques and approaches to enhance my skills and push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of art.

Despite my growing interest in photography, I never really held it in regards to it being a career path. So for many years, I worked for some of the top Fortune 100 companies, climbing the corporate ladder and doing well financially. However, deep down inside, I knew that something was missing. I had always been passionate about photography, but I was using it more as a hobby than as employment. I felt I was too afraid to take the risk and too reluctant to step out of my comfort zone. It wasn’t until 2009, that I finally realized that I needed to take that risk and pursue what I was passionate about without any fear. This was the moment I decided to take a leap of faith and give photography all I had.

I finally bought a DSLR camera and started practicing more and sharpening my skills set and knowledge. In 2010, I obtained my first client. It was a co-worker whose family member needed a photographer. They had seen some of my photography on social media and through mutual friends. They were impressed with my work. They asked if I could do a photoshoot for their family. I was scared to do the job. It was my first paying client gig, and I didn’t want to let my co-worker down. I was nervous about everything from the lighting down to the poses. However, I knew that this was my chance to finally do what I loved and I was determined not to let my fear hold me back any longer. When the shoot was over, I was amazed at how rewarding it was to finally do what I held so much passion towards. The photos turned out amazing and the family was thrilled with the results. It was an incredible feeling to know that I had made someone happy with my photography.

It’s been almost 23 years since the first time I picked up a camera and the journey has been nothing short of amazing. Starting my own business has been challenging at times, but it has also been incredibly rewarding. I’ve had the opportunity to work with clients from all walks of life. I’ve meet amazing fellow creatives, captured important moments, and created beautiful images that will be treasured by many for years to come. Looking back, I am grateful for the years I spent working in the different top 100 fortune companies. It gave me the financial stability and skills I needed to start my own business. However, I’m even more appreciative for the courage I found to finally pursue my passion. It’s a decision that has brought me so much endless joy and fulfillment.

As human beings, we all have different passions that drive us towards achieving our goals and living a fulfilling life. While photography has always been my first love, in recent years I’ve found myself exploring other creative pursuits. I found myself focusing on the area of film making and starting a new business in the coffee industry. My journey in film making started when I realized that I could use my skills in photography to create moving images that could tell a story. I began by experimenting with short films and gradually learned the art of cinematography, script writing, and film editing. I was fascinated by how the various elements of film making come together to create a compelling narrative. As I have mentioned, aside from my passion for film making, I have also been exploring a new venture in the coffee industry. While coffee has always been a part of my daily routine, I never imagined that I would one day start my own coffee business. However, after learning about the complexities of coffee roasting and the unique flavors that different beans can offer, I became intrigued by the idea of creating my own blends.

In conclusion, photography has opened a new world of possibilities in pursuing other passions and creating a blend of so much creative possibilities. This journey has genuinely been a fulfilling experience for me. I have learned so much about myself and the world around me through photography, film making and starting a new business. My Dad is no longer physically here. He passed away in 2015, but I thank God everyday that he allowed him to see my work and the passion we both shared. I know he’s proud of me, as I am of him. While photography will always be my first love, I am excited to see where these new ventures will take me and how they will shape my future.

To my first client, Thank You

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a Wedding / Portrait Photographer & Film Maker from New York City currently living in Rhode Island. I have been professionally shooting and creating for almost 14 years. As a wedding photographer and film maker, I offer a range of services to help capture the memories of your special day or brand. I understand that weddings and shoots can be stressful, and my goal is to alleviate some of that stress by providing a seamless experience from start to finish. Whether it’s capturing the joyous moments of the ceremony or the intimate moments between the newlyweds, I am committed to providing high-quality images that will be cherished for years to come. I am also committed to providing high quality promotional video for your business, short doc, short film content that will capture your audience’s attention.

What sets me apart is my attention to detail and my ability to capture the unique personalities of each couple. I pride myself on being able to tell a story through my work, and I am dedicated to providing my clients with exceptional service and personalized attention. I want my clients to know that they can trust me to capture their special day in a way that is authentic, beautiful, and timeless.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Managing a team in the industry I am in can be challenging, but it is essential for the success of any business. It’s important to create a positive and supportive work environment that fosters collaboration and creativity. To keep morale high, it’s crucial to provide constructive feedback, recognize and reward hard work, and foster a sense of community within the team. I believe communication is also key. It helps to build trust and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

As a content creator, photographer, and film maker, I built my audience on social media & in social groups by consistently showcasing my work, engaging with my followers, and supporting fellow creatives in the industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.chriscollado.com
• Instagram: iamchrisny
• Youtube: iamchriscollado
• Other: Vimeo : www.vimeo.com/iamchriscollado