Christopher was one of my portrait subjects back in November 2009 (Unfortunately, due to finishing this portrait at the last minute, I only have this crappy cell phone photo of the still in-progress piece.)
Fitz: What inspires your work?
Christopher: I am inspired by the idea that my work asks questions - I am a social person, almost too easily influenced by others... and I like to take some of that power back and throw it out there in the form of images. Lately I'm doing portraits based on iconic imagery, both spiritual and religious... sometimes people that I don't know see these photographs and wonder who the man is behind the curtain, almost like "Who the fuck does he think he is?" messing with these idols' image, making them more modernized and fashionable. Some people just find them appealing and interesting and that is fine, too - I would like to say that I don't care what people think but then why would I have shows?
F:What/who is totally hot right now?
C:I think the Baltimore music scene is hot right now. I really want to start photographing more local bands in provocative or original ways - because Baltimore itself is unique and wonderful and right now the music we are throwing out there as a city is rockin'. I want to jump in on that - when I lived in LA I photographed bands exclusively and I miss it.
F: You've been NY and LA. Do you think you'll stay in Baltimore?
C: If I say I'm definitely staying in Baltimore, I'll move within a month. I'm a brat like that so I'm just rolling with it. Right now I'm really happy and I have a great setup, and I LOVE my friends. Also, I'm in love with someone here.
F: Tell me something glamorous.
C:I'm about to get on a 40 foot yacht that is owned by the woman who used to babysit me when I was born. We are gonna drink champagne and eat takeout from the Charleston and possibly do some nudes in the middle of the bay even if it's raining. I don't consider myself to be a 'glamorous' person generally, but you asked this question at the perfect time!
F: What's coming up for you this summer?
C: I just started doing forensic light source photography for Domestic Violence Victims at Northwest Hospital. I had to learn how to use this crazy light source that has different wavelengths that can document bruises and injuries before they develop to the plain eye. These photos can be shown in court as evidence before these women return to their abusive boyfriends or husbands and are too scared shitless to testify in court.
I have also started doing product photography, starting with a local vegan mineral cosmetics company.
On the Fine Art front, I think I will be having a show at Brewers Art sometime this summer, but it hasn't been confirmed. I was also asked to be one of the featured artists at City Paper's Illuminate Party in October, but that hasn't really been confirmed either. I have a bunch of shoots lined up to continue with my iconic portraiture series, so hopefully I get a really good body of work together. PS will you model for me? Historically, prejudice and suspicion has always greeted the redhead, along with the belief that they were fiery and hot-tempered. I could get a seriously good couple of shots of you with that in mind.
Thanks for the interview, Christopher. Check out more of his work at Charm City Photography
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