Rising Stars: Meet Chris “Barnsey” Barnes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris “Barnsey” Barnes.

Chris “Barnsey”, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am from Cincinnati, Ohio. When I was younger, around nine, I joined a photography class to try to get closer to this girl. Come to find out, I actually enjoyed the class with the adventures of exploring new parts of the city and developing film. When I moved to the suburbs when I was around 16, my neighbors were into shooting skate videos and they pulled me into learning video and photo even more. I soon began to work at a shop back home called Corporate, where I began to help shoot the weekly newsletter and for a sneaker site called TheShoeGame. Afterwards, I began to shoot more of my friends around the city, helping them with brand look books, food menus, and detailed pictures for merchandise. I began to feel like I hit the wall creatively so I decided to move somewhere where I can work with more of the people I looked up too creatively. In 2017, I sold a bunch of my clothes and cameras to move across the country. Me and my dad packed up my Sonata and began our road trip to LA. Seeing these views of the country really gave me the inspiration that there is so much more to just shooting in Cincinnati, I couldn’t WAIT until we arrived in LA to get started on what I can do with photography. My number one goal was to work with my favorite rapper, Dom Kennedy. 2017 was a fire year but also very disappointing. I will never forget Flog Gnaw 2017, I was watching Mac Miller and he brought out Thundercat.

And while I was trying to record Thundercat, my Instagram was blowing up from someone named Tasha Bleu. I get a DM saying something like “We have to work together, your friend was right, we need to work ASAP!” Again, since I was at Flog Gnaw, I was very slow at responding and to see who it even was. After my roommate at the time texted me what he did and who she was, I damn near started to cry. She was a photographer at Complex at the time and wanted to book me to shoot at Complexcon! Later that night, we called each other and she said she will try her best to add myself to the team for the weekend and to stay tuned. I couldn’t believe it! But, sadly, she was not able to add me in time and I was not able to shoot there. The good thing is that I was thankful for the opportunity and showed great character which eventually got me into the doors to shoot Agenda that very next year! I can go on forever about my stories, but 2018 until now was great! I have been turned down from opportunities but I never let it affect who I am behind the lens. I continued to work my ass off and learn as much as I could to become a better artist. With that attitude, I was able to land gigs that lead me to meet great people and some best friends.

In 2018, I helped PA on a video of my favorite artist. That’s right, I have a scene in a Dom Kennedy video and it was amazing. “Brenda’s Baby” was one of first videos I helped with and there were more to come! With a good relationship with his cousin, Jason Madison, I was able to continue to get booked to help with his videos. One of Dom Kennedy’s latest videos, “Bootleg Cable”, I was able to do BTS. Which again, is a MAJOR milestone for me. Never what I have I thought getting to work with him once, but more? Come on, a dream come true is an understatement. After that, I was booked to shoot for Big Sean’s “Detroit 2” album release dinner. (Not a party, because Covid.) My boy Zeno texted me the opportunity and I legit left work because who the hell would say no to Zeno? This is an opportunity I’ve always wanted to be thrown my way.

Man, I got some dope shots of Hit Boy, Big Sean, Dom, and a very, very, very rare photo of Jhene and Sean that sadly only I can enjoy to see on my phone every now and at this point, it’s just for bragging rights to myself, lol. (Hopefully, one day I can drop it!) Those are my favorite moments of a photographer that I will enjoy, and aside of that I was able to start my own merch, “ARTCLASS bybarnsey.” First, release in June, and every month I dropped things such as tees, biker shorts, keychains, hoodies, hats and necklaces. Some still on my site, bybarnsey.com. The recognition that began to receive was great, I was able to gain new fans of my photography and designs with clothes. 2020 to me personally was the best year for me creatively. I feel as if I finally began to get the recognition and opportunities I have always prayed for. I can sit here and make a huge thank you list, but it definitely goes out to God, my family, and my Artclass and Heem Team family, Be soon for more merch!

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 has not been a smooth road at all. Being a photographer is a constant challenge and you are in competition with really really dope artists. The moment you think you figured it out, you come across an Instagram of someone even more talented. In this art, and in this city, there will always be someone better, someone more known, but that can someday be you. The best thing that I have learned was to continue to practice, meet new people, and say yes to opportunities even if it scares the hell out of you. You can never know what you’re capable of unless you try!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a photographer, and I specialize in taking dope photos for my friends, brands, and artists small and large. I am a cool guy from the Midwest that loves to capture the moment and relive it as much as I can. The most proud thing I have done is shoot for Dom Kennedy, Big Sean and Hit-Boy. What sets me apart from others is that I enjoy taking pictures of any and everything. There isn’t anything I can’t make into a dope photo. It’s just that eye, I can take a picture perfectly in the center without even looking through the viewfinder. It’s just a second nature at this point, I always have a camera on me.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love best about LA is the aesthetic and the opportunity. There isn’t anywhere in this city you can’t shoot. From the city to beach, trails, tunnels, houses, the range is crazy. The opportunity to get booked for almost anything is great. It can go from shooting BTS to helping a girl with her Only Fans to shooting a video. You never know what your day has in store so I keep my cameras charged and ready to go!

Pricing:

• Leica Photo Sessions – $100 per hour/No Min
• Canon Photo Sessions – $125 per hour/No Min.
• Creative Consulting – $100 per hour
• Design Work – $150 Per design

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: bybarnsey.com
• Instagram: barnsey.la

Image Credits:
ByBarnsey