We recently connected with Christopher McCain and have shared our conversation below.
Christopher, appreciate you joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
It’s true that our parents can be our greatest supporters. In my case, my mom recognized my potential before I even had a chance to showcase my talents to the world. At a young age, she noticed my artistic abilities and instead of brushing it off as a mere hobby, she provided me with the necessary tools such as Xerox paper, pencils, and art supplies. Additionally, she helped me enroll in various art classes. Although I didn’t believe I was the most skilled, I knew that I had something special to offer the world. This early encouragement fueled my passion for art.
One of my earliest memories is when my mother took me to an art gallery in Chicago. The impact of that visit had a profound effect on my journey and changed my life. My mother showed me that pursuing a career in art was possible if I believed in myself and my abilities. The outing exposed me to a variety of art styles and inspired me to broaden my artistic horizons. Although I wasn’t aware of art competitions when I was younger, my experiences in life and my studies in art led me to enter my first competition when I was in university. Winning gave me the confidence to participate in art shows and gain exposure to my work.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hello, my name is Chris and I am a professional photographer with a strong passion for visual storytelling. Through my work, I strive to capture life’s narrative in a unique and captivating way. I specialize in creating portraits that showcase the personality and identity of individuals, and my artistic vision sets me apart from other photographers. To me, photography is more than just taking pictures – it’s about telling a person’s story through a single frame. I am driven to capture raw and detailed images that convey human emotion and commitment to storytelling, while always paying attention to the smallest details. In my career, I have had many accomplishments, but I find the most satisfaction in the moments and experiences that photography has brought me. I am grateful to all of my clients who have worked with me and helped me discover my creative path.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
As a creative, I want to share that taking breaks from my work is important. I spent four years developing my first body of work, and now I’m on a temporary hiatus from photography to gain new experiences and avoid feeling like it’s a chore. Currently, I’m serving in the Behavioral Health field for a year to support others.
One thing that non-creatives may not understand is the emotional investment that creatives put into their work. Each piece of art is an extension of the self and tells a story. It can be difficult for non-creatives to comprehend the emotional attachment and vulnerability that comes with sharing one’s creative work.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I used to strive for perfection in my artwork, but I had to unlearn that mindset. Letting go of perfectionism had a profound impact on me. I realized that enjoying the creative process and being connected to art was more important than constantly producing flawless masterpieces. Creating art is not just about connecting with yourself, but also connecting with your audience, which takes time to build. Embracing imperfections and allowing room for experimentation in my work has allowed me to explore new themes and ideas, leading to a more fulfilling and successful artistic career. Many artists need to learn this lesson to grow personally and artistically.
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Image Credits
shot by comethrough.chris model credits annafuller_ bigsmk248 nickolas.gavin maripxga madison_aleicia bk_lambrecht annabellachirco