Today we’d like to introduce you to Colin Murray.
Colin, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I was born in Zimbabwe at the time of the war at independence that saw the colony of Rhodesia become modern day Zimbabwe. Growing up in Africa, especially during a war I was exposed to both the beauty of the continent and the savage nature of war and suffering. Both of these things have undoubtedly colored my photography. Yes, there are stories to be told in the suffering and hardships in Africa, but there is also so much beauty, in the cultures, the people, the art and music. It’s the beauty in the world I want to capture and I will leave to others to document the other side.
I was educated in South Africa, England and the USA and started a very successful career in banking and later technology that took me to 53 countries and every continent except Antarctica (I don’t too cold well…I’m an African after all.) In all this time I look photographs and always knew that this was the career I would eventually pursuit.
In 2011 I had a life changing illness and I decided that it was now or never to pursue my photographic dreams and I look the plunge and entered the profession full-time.
It’s taken some time to find my niche, but now we (I have a fabulous partner who is a master stylist) are established as a leading studio in beauty and stylized fashion. We are well known for our Hollywood re-creations and we are the got to studio for anyone who wants a real red carpet, magazine or Hollywood experience and some fabulous images to remember.
In 2018 its all go, we are about to move into a new and exciting space in LA’s hottest area, The Arts District and I look forward to all the amazing experiences we can shoot in our new home.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
We shoot beautiful, simple and colorful beauty and fashion images. Our inspiration is classical and vintage beauty from around the world. We draw on our world travels, our African heritage and our adopted home, Los Angeles, to combine the best of old work glamor with the modern photography technique to create unique beautiful images.
We believe that beauty isn’t a based on a size, or a color or a number and real beauty needs no make-up. All people are beautiful and if you hate having you photo taken, it’s because you haven’t been photographed my me. I’m always amazed when someone comes into my studio, tells me they hate the way they look, and then can’t believe what they look like afterwards. Tears of joy are often shed in my studio when they see the final images, but we know the images will be great, we start from the position our subject are beautiful and all we do is capture it.
What do you know now that you wished you had learned earlier?
Art and photography is a business, I was lucky to have a business background. I always tell aspiring photographers at there is no such thing as a full time professional photographer, we are salesmen, accountants, marketers, promoters who take photos. Professional implies you are being paid for your services, no customers, no pay, no professional.
Also learn to say NO. It’s tempting as a new photographer to take anything that pays. Don’t, stick to your niche, be the best it. Nothing will hurt you more than a bad job in a genre you know nothing about. If someone offer to pay you to shoot a wedding and you haven’t done it before, and have interest in wedding photography, don’t do it. Hell has no fury like a pissed off bride with a social media account.
Lastly, find a mentor. Someone you can assist and learn from is an invaluable resource.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Our work is on www.cbm.photgraphy and on IG @colinmurrayphotography.com
Contact Info:
- Address: 107 S. Fairs Oaks Ave, Studio 210, Pasadena,CA, 91105
- Website: www.cbm.photography
- Phone: 13057538901
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @colinmurrayphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colinmurrayphoto/
- Twitter: @cbm_photo
Image Credit:
All images you Colin Murray Photography LLC
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