Interview with Chris Nicholls
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Please give us a peek into your background. At what age did you hop the pond? Where and how did you get started with your photography?
I came to Canada when I was six years old. My grandfather and my father were both photographers for periods of time in their lives. I went to college and then assisted some photographers.
You primarily shoot highly stylized fashion, beauty and advertising - why? What is it that sparks your creative vision in these genres?
I enjoy photographing people now, though in the beginning I found it very uncomfortable. They move and change in ways that objects and scenery do not. I started shooting fashion because it scared me and challenged me.
What difficulties were you faced with in breaking through and catching that wave as a professional photographer?
It's just hard work and more than anything, it is important to acknowledge the talents of your peers and rise to the level of the work that you admire the most.
What do you think about education in photography and its equipment, does it exceed the importance of concept?
Everyone needs to be educated in technique and creative art history, but you do not need to go to school for that.
A lot of photographers have great ideas but do not know how to effectively express them. You need to know your technique inside out and respect the work that has come before you.
Do you experiment a lot with various lighting setups and techniques? If so, is it during an assignment or toward personal projects?
I am always experimenting with new ideas on assignments. I don't do personal projects. I should, but I don't.
How does a client approach you? Have they done their research into photographers with similar styles and ask for a bid? Or have you been able to pick and choose your clients?
Clients call or email me. I quote the job. I pretty much decide who to work for based on either how much money they have or how creative the project is.
Sometimes I do freebie's for good causes like Fashion Cares.
What are some things you like to do outside of photography? And how much time do you spend on photography?
I have a family with three kids. The kids take up most of my free time, which is perfect!. I snowboard and wakeboard. I have a summer home on a lake in the woods that is only accessible by boat...
What's in your camera bag? And what preferences do you have for studio lighting vs on-location lighting?
I use a Canon Mark II. I like Profoto and Speedotron.
How do you feel about the large amount of photographers emerging on the scene on a daily basis and more workshops being readily available? Are you worried about competition or do you embrace it?
I am not worried about the competition. I enjoy good photography and wish their was more of it.
Are stylists and makeup artists running through your scene to adjust frequently together with people looking over your shoulder or do you tend to work primarily in closed sets?
It is always a team effort with lots of people on set running in and out and offering their opinions.
When working with Creative Directors and Art Directors, do they ask for your view toward a certain concept? Do they give you creative freedom or do they tend to put large amounts of constrain on your talent/vision?
I am always asked for my view. However if the client is paying, then the client gets their way in the end. My editorial work has a lot more of "me" in it.
During conceptualizing stages of a project, do you envision hard/soft shadows in detail together with the location, style of clothing, lights and gear or do you mainly create theme based concepts and let the magic happen on set?
The lighting is well thought out and discussed with my crew and the client up front . Everything is planned... but then often changed on set.
You've shot a fair amount of celebrities and supermodels. When you get the opportunity to shoot them, can you share with our readers how that opportunity presents itself?
Always in the form of a booking, just like any other job.
Photography tends to be a fair amount about making subjects look their best, do you take the time to get to know the people you shoot to incorporate their best sides or does it really depend on the assignment? For instance, your celebrity shoot with Christina Ricci, are you able to sit down to discuss your vision and get to know her which in turn adjusts your vision, or is it very pre-determined?
I always start with an idea and a lighting style, if only to make myself more calm going into it. Then I accept that I will alter everything as I assess the situation.
I always make an effort to talk to my subject and get to know them a little bit first whether it be a model or a celebrity. This really just makes my subject (hopefully) more relaxed and assures them that I know what I am doing and that I am going to make them look good. This initial conversation can very often be an indication as to the willingness of the person to participate in the type of photographs that I have in mind. Ultimately, my object is to make my subjects as comfortable as possible to get the most from them.
Do you direct your models a lot? Or do they usually hit the sweet spot on their own?
It is a mistake to direct too much. First I allow the models to do their thing and see what happens. They do their job and I do mine. Then it is just a matter of encouraging the good parts as much as possible. Having said that, some very inexperienced models need to be pushed.
What are your plans for the future? Can we expect to see you on television shows like Canadian Next Top Model as guest photographer more often?
I will just keep taking good photos I guess. As for CNTM, it's up to them.
When you're shooting on-location in a foreign city, how do you organize casting, assistants, and gear?
When budgets allow, we use local producers in those cities.
On that note, what's your favorite city to shoot in and why?
I like New York. It has the best studios, support and assistants. Also Bar Pitti is the best place to have a beer and a meal after a shoot!
Please give us a peek into your background. At what age did you hop the pond? Where and how did you get started with your photography?
I came to Canada when I was six years old. My grandfather and my father were both photographers for periods of time in their lives. I went to college and then assisted some photographers.
You primarily shoot highly stylized fashion, beauty and advertising - why? What is it that sparks your creative vision in these genres?I enjoy photographing people now, though in the beginning I found it very uncomfortable. They move and change in ways that objects and scenery do not. I started shooting fashion because it scared me and challenged me.
What difficulties were you faced with in breaking through and catching that wave as a professional photographer?
It's just hard work and more than anything, it is important to acknowledge the talents of your peers and rise to the level of the work that you admire the most.
What do you think about education in photography and its equipment, does it exceed the importance of concept?
Everyone needs to be educated in technique and creative art history, but you do not need to go to school for that.
A lot of photographers have great ideas but do not know how to effectively express them. You need to know your technique inside out and respect the work that has come before you.
Do you experiment a lot with various lighting setups and techniques? If so, is it during an assignment or toward personal projects? I am always experimenting with new ideas on assignments. I don't do personal projects. I should, but I don't.
How does a client approach you? Have they done their research into photographers with similar styles and ask for a bid? Or have you been able to pick and choose your clients?
Clients call or email me. I quote the job. I pretty much decide who to work for based on either how much money they have or how creative the project is.
Sometimes I do freebie's for good causes like Fashion Cares.
What are some things you like to do outside of photography? And how much time do you spend on photography?
I have a family with three kids. The kids take up most of my free time, which is perfect!. I snowboard and wakeboard. I have a summer home on a lake in the woods that is only accessible by boat...
What's in your camera bag? And what preferences do you have for studio lighting vs on-location lighting?
I use a Canon Mark II. I like Profoto and Speedotron.
How do you feel about the large amount of photographers emerging on the scene on a daily basis and more workshops being readily available? Are you worried about competition or do you embrace it?
I am not worried about the competition. I enjoy good photography and wish their was more of it.
Are stylists and makeup artists running through your scene to adjust frequently together with people looking over your shoulder or do you tend to work primarily in closed sets?
It is always a team effort with lots of people on set running in and out and offering their opinions.
When working with Creative Directors and Art Directors, do they ask for your view toward a certain concept? Do they give you creative freedom or do they tend to put large amounts of constrain on your talent/vision?
I am always asked for my view. However if the client is paying, then the client gets their way in the end. My editorial work has a lot more of "me" in it.
During conceptualizing stages of a project, do you envision hard/soft shadows in detail together with the location, style of clothing, lights and gear or do you mainly create theme based concepts and let the magic happen on set?
The lighting is well thought out and discussed with my crew and the client up front . Everything is planned... but then often changed on set.
You've shot a fair amount of celebrities and supermodels. When you get the opportunity to shoot them, can you share with our readers how that opportunity presents itself?
Always in the form of a booking, just like any other job.
Photography tends to be a fair amount about making subjects look their best, do you take the time to get to know the people you shoot to incorporate their best sides or does it really depend on the assignment? For instance, your celebrity shoot with Christina Ricci, are you able to sit down to discuss your vision and get to know her which in turn adjusts your vision, or is it very pre-determined? I always start with an idea and a lighting style, if only to make myself more calm going into it. Then I accept that I will alter everything as I assess the situation.
I always make an effort to talk to my subject and get to know them a little bit first whether it be a model or a celebrity. This really just makes my subject (hopefully) more relaxed and assures them that I know what I am doing and that I am going to make them look good. This initial conversation can very often be an indication as to the willingness of the person to participate in the type of photographs that I have in mind. Ultimately, my object is to make my subjects as comfortable as possible to get the most from them.
Do you direct your models a lot? Or do they usually hit the sweet spot on their own?
It is a mistake to direct too much. First I allow the models to do their thing and see what happens. They do their job and I do mine. Then it is just a matter of encouraging the good parts as much as possible. Having said that, some very inexperienced models need to be pushed.
What are your plans for the future? Can we expect to see you on television shows like Canadian Next Top Model as guest photographer more often?
I will just keep taking good photos I guess. As for CNTM, it's up to them.
When you're shooting on-location in a foreign city, how do you organize casting, assistants, and gear?
When budgets allow, we use local producers in those cities.
On that note, what's your favorite city to shoot in and why?
I like New York. It has the best studios, support and assistants. Also Bar Pitti is the best place to have a beer and a meal after a shoot!