Conversations with Chris Velasco

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Velasco

Hi Chris, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Honolulu Hawaii moved to Del Mar California when I was 8 years old. I grew up in San Diego and graduated high school from torrey pines. Theres was a an English teacher who gave us 1 project for our entire senior year of high school. It was to choose from a writing assignment that would cover your entire year as a senior OR make a scrap book of photos of your senior year. I chose to take photos. The whole senior year I carried around a camera and made an amazing documentary of highschool in 2003. Fast forward I got into the arts program at Cal state university Long beach. I moved to long beach and started my BFA in photography. While in college I worked with a party photographer named Ronny Alwin where we would take photos in the club scene of Los Angeles and hollywood. We would take polroids of celebrities, musicians, and people at the clubs and would document the popular DJ’s every week. I then just finished my college degree with a BA and didnt pursue the BFA. I wanted to go down the commercial route. I then started taking photos for a famous Dj named Stever Aoki where I would have a photo residency for his music label called Dim Mak records. I was then hired by a popular mens skateboarding jean brand called KREW denim and footwear company called Supra footwear. I put in about 3 years in house and then went freelance where I would work with brands like billabong, LRG, Yeezy, and assisted popular photographers and other popular brands.Since going freelance I got most of my work through word of mouth. Working mostly in the music world and clothing. In 2019 I got my biggest gig working with the Marriott hotel by doing photos and directing their global commercial.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road. A lot of ups and downs. A lot of mistakes. Timing wasnt right at alot of times. Either I wasnt prepared with the right equipment or I wasnt skilled in a certain way of shooting. The pandemic really hurt my business, ego, drive, and motivation.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an artist and photographer. I work with clothing brands, and companys to help create the image of the brand and sell a product. I specialize in photographing work thats very contrasty and vivid color. I like imagery thats fun and energetic and youthful. I think that sets me apart from others. I like photographing people that have energy. with my background in the nightlife club world I feel like I still hang on to that aesthetic where its a harsf flash with saturated colors and high contrast. Im honestly most proud of the fact that im still pursuing photography. The industry is saturated with tons of talented people. Im just trying to be me and create work that other people can appreciate.

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me trust. In photography it is a very intimate art form. As a photographer with a camera and lens you can really break through boundaries and personal space with your subject. Its like a dance when you take photos. Both photographer and talent have to trust each other to move smoothly so we dont step on each others shoes. When done properly the outcome is like magic. so I think trust is something that matters most to me in photography.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://christophervelasco.com
• Instagram: @iamchrisvelasco

Image Credits
all shot by me.