Meet Chris Crosby of Long Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Crosby.

Hi Chris, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in Seal Beach, essentially raised by the ocean and the stories of my parents’ travels. My vision was shaped early by Ansel Adams and National Geographic, but like many people, I took a detour. I spent years in corporate retail management, trading the sun for fluorescent lights. It wasn’t until 2009, when my brother encouraged me to buy a DSLR to document my hikes, that things clicked. I realized my childhood love for nature hadn’t gone anywhere—it was just waiting for a lens. By 2018, I decided to leave the corporate world behind to pursue landscape photography and education full-time. Today, I live in Long Beach and spend my time helping others find their own ‘perfect light’ through workshops across the Western US.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but the bumps have been the best teachers. When people see a finished landscape print, they see a moment of peace. What they don’t see is the ‘invisible’ work of running a photography business.

Transitioning from a creative hobbyist to a professional meant wearing a dozen hats I wasn’t trained for. I had to become my own web developer, learning the intricacies of SEO and UX to build a digital home for my portfolio. I had to become a compliance expert, navigating the complex world of federal and state permits to legally and ethically lead workshops on public lands.

Perhaps the steepest learning curve was diversifying revenue streams. In this industry, you can’t just rely on one thing. I’ve had to balance fine art sales with commercial assignments, private coaching, and large-scale workshops. It’s a constant juggle of logistics, marketing, and physical endurance, but building that foundation myself is what eventually allowed me to leave the corporate world behind for good.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a landscape and night sky photographer, an educator, and a fine art printmaker. While my portfolio covers everything from the rugged Pacific coastline to the high deserts of the Southwest, I specialize in high-dynamic-range storytelling and astrophotography. I’m probably best known for my ‘fairytale’ coastal long exposures and my ‘Milky Way Inception’ shot, images that capture the scale of the universe in a way that feels both grand and deeply personal.

My work is a blend of technical precision and emotional resonance. Because of my background in retail management, I didn’t just want to take pretty pictures; I wanted to build a sustainable ecosystem around my art. This led me to develop multiple facets of my business: I offer fine art prints for collectors, lead field workshops across the Western U.S., and provide post-processing education to help other photographers bridge the gap between what the camera sees and what the heart remembers.

What I am most proud of, however, isn’t a single award or a specific photo. It’s the community and the ‘Aha!’ moments I facilitate. Transitioning from the corporate world to a full-time creative path was a massive undertaking, from building my own website and digital infrastructure to navigating the complex legalities of commercial permits for workshops. Seeing that hard work manifest as a successful student’s first Milky Way shot or a collector’s favorite piece of home decor is incredibly rewarding.

What sets me apart is my commitment to the ‘why’ behind the lens. I was raised by a family of educators, and I carry that DNA into every workshop. I don’t just show people where to put their tripod; I teach them the science of the light, the ethics of ‘Leave No Trace’ photography, and the business grit required to turn a passion into a profession. I believe that being a great photographer is only half the job, being a great steward of the land and a mentor to the next generation is what truly defines my work.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For a long time, the world told me success was defined by a title and a steady climb up the corporate ladder. Today, my definition has shifted entirely. To me, success is alignment. It’s the ability to wake up and ensure my ‘work’ is a direct reflection of my passions and my values.

On a personal level, success is that moment of complete presence behind the camera, when the technical challenges of a long exposure or a complex Milky Way alignment melt away, and I’m just a witness to the landscape. It’s the freedom to chase the light on a Tuesday morning because I’ve built a business that allows for that autonomy.

On a professional level, success is legacy through education. It’s seeing a student’s eyes light up when they finally understand how to ‘make’ an image rather than just ‘take’ one. It’s knowing that because of my workshops, there are more photographers out there who not only have better technical skills but also a deeper respect for our public lands and ‘Leave No Trace’ ethics.

Ultimately, if I can sustain a life where I am constantly learning, sharing the beauty of the natural world with others, and providing for my family through my own creativity and grit—that is the highest form of success I can imagine.

Pricing:

• Starting at $40 for open edition archival paper prints. I offer a wide range of mediums including Gallery-Wrapped Canvas, High-Gloss Metal, and Acrylic Sub-mounts. Sizing is fully customizable to fit your space, from intimate 8×12 desk prints to large-scale, 60-inch statement pieces for homes and offices.
• In-the-Field Group Workshops: Typically range from $600 – $2,500 depending on duration and location (e.g., Eastern Sierra, Oregon Coast, or Joshua Tree). These include hands-on guiding and composition training.
• Private 1-on-1 Guiding & Coaching: Starting at $75/hour for Entry Level or $800/day for full day learning experiences. Sessions are tailored focusing on specific technical hurdles that students have, from basic capture techniques to advanced capture and post-processing.
• Commercial Licensing & Commissions: Projects are quoted on a per-case basis. I offer high-resolution licensing for digital media, editorial use, and large-scale corporate environment branding.
• Post-Processing & Editing Tutorials: Private, deep-dive editing sessions via Video Call are available to help photographers master their own files. Contact for custom hourly or project rates.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chrisewencrosby.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cecphotos
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ceccaptures
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisEwenCrosbyPhotography
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/chris-ewen-crosby-photography-long-beach-4