Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chris Davis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Chris, thanks for joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?
I’m currently in my fourth decade of freelancing as a professional commercial photographer. This should come as no surprise, but the freelance model is not for everyone. Some people need more structure and consistency, while others desire more freedom and control. Being a business owner is basically a full time job, but you set the hours. Want to hit the gym at 10:30am, no problem. Need to reschedule the week of your vacation due to a bad weather forecast, done. But the inconsistency of income can be stressful. Exceptionally stressful sometimes. I think the older I get, the more taxing it can be to keep all the balls in the air. However, my wife and I are both self-employed and now that we’ve entered the empty nest phase of life, I see the freedom of setting our own schedules to be more of a blessing than ever before. For those considering being self-employed, I would highly suggest working closely with a financial planner. Knowing how to navigate cashflow changes and retirement as a freelancer requires solid guidance. Yeah, sometimes a simple part time job seems attractive to me, but not quite yet. :)
Chris, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I knew in the seventh grade that I wanted to be a photographer. It was (and still is) a beautiful blend of art and science. I took a risk very early in life and moved to Atlanta in order to attend a professional school for photography. Coming from a tiny town in rural North Carolina, this was a big decision. It paid off. After graduation, I found myself assisting some of the city’s best shooters and learning way more about the craft. Once I was ready, I was literally pushed out of the nest and into shooting my own assignments. Through the school’s network I became a well know name in Atlanta for commercial photography. I was given opportunities and I made several mistakes, but I grew. When our first child came along we decided to leave the city for a quieter part of the country. It was a quality of life decision, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. But maintaining relationships from a distance became quite challenging. Someone told me, “Just keep doing great work and you’ll be fine.” I’ve held onto that and have had the luxury of traveling and shooting all over the country, and recently Europe. I still get excited about delivering valuable image libraries to big (and small) brands. I mostly capture people on location and in their element, whether it be at work or play. My extensive experience allows me to step in with a very small footprint and produce a large amount of pictures in a short amount of time.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
The latest time that comes to mind with regards to a pivot was during Covid. A lot of folks had to make major adjustments in those months. I knew right away that my line of work would not only be the first to go, but also likely the last to return. I took on many odd jobs including installing hot water heaters, delivering cases of wine and working and as a weekend manager at a local venue. During that time I made a long list of things that I learned from my jobs. One such lesson was that “I am not what I do.” I think my identity had become so intertwined with my career that I forgot who I really was. I changed a line on my website bio to address this language, and changed my mindset too. It’s mostly a western thing I think. I refer to my lessons list frequently and try to apply those insights when I am able. I also created a list of actions steps from the list with words like….practice, trust and question.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a visual creator is realizing that we all have a unique way of seeing things. I’m very fortunate to have made a career of being contracted to capture people, place and things in the way I see them. A long time ago I learned that in order to shoot something, you have to see it first. Once you hone the seeing part, the rest is simply using the tools to bring that vision home, literally. The challenge is finding clients that truly appreciate your gift, and that can also afford your specialized services. I appreciate art and artists in a variety of mediums and love hearing the stories of their creative journeys. My lifelong path of being a professional photographer continues. It’s what I was built to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://cdphoto.com
- Instagram: @shootwithchris
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cdphoto22/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdavisphotography/
Image Credits
© Chris Davis