Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Avila Christman
Hi Michael, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Back In 2012, I found myself newly divorced and trying to put a new life together for myself. Part of that led me to think “What would I be doing now if I had never gotten married?” When I met my wife, I was into photography and I had dreams of being a fashion photographer. So, I thought to myself: “Why don’t I pick up where I left off with that, and see where it goes?”
So I did some research into cameras, and since I had some interest in cinematography as well, went with a Canon DSLR so I could explore both photography and cinematography. Canon had just revolutionized the industry a few years before with their 5D MkII which for the first time, allowed you to shoot amazing cinematic video on a still camera using existing canon EF glass, and was also easily adaptable to to use other full frame lenses. I had a collection of manual Nikon F mount lenses from my previous photography adventures, so I was able to hit the ground running.
I started out taking pictures of still life subjects or animals, but found myself quickly drawn back to one of my long-time loves – taking pictures of amazing faces. I started walking around downtown doing street photography, taking pictures of interesting people, and interesting things going happening on the street. At first, it was a little nerve wracking – for no reason at all, honestly – dealing with “Imposter syndrome.” I felt weird walking around with a camera like I was some kind of photographer. I felt self conscious just walking around with a camera out. But pushing through it, I really began to love taking real life in the moment shots, “documentary” style.
At the same time, I was pursuing my interests in cinematography, and I worked on indie film crews learning the ropes, and I was able to meet amazing creative people and at the same time began collaborating on “themed” photo shoots, 50’s Audrey Hepburn inspired look for instance, or fairy/fantasy which now days would be called fairy-core or cottage core, this kind of lead to a Boho/Nature aesthetic which I really loved. This was a great way to feed my creative drive, and also build my technical skills in all kinds of lighting conditions and situations.
Over time as I honed these skills, people started asking me to take pictures like this for THEM. I realized that knowing these locations, knowing the process, knowing the hair and makeup artists that I knew – I had everything I needed to deliver these kinds of shoots for paid clients, and that is exactly what I began to do.
As time went on, these two “loves” kind of joined, and I found my true passion, which is Docu-style City Fashion/Lifestyle. Really what I try to do in every shot, is to convey some kind of emotion that feels candid, or a high fashion aesthetic that while posed, is also dynamic. That’s kinda my thing.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As I touched on before, “imposter syndrome” is real – where you don’t feel confident enough to consider yourself a “real ” photographer. The other big challenge is occasionally feeling creatively like you are doing the same thing, and alternately that if you quit doing that thing, no one would even notice. Probably true. Doing it for the love of it is enough. People see that or feel that and they want that for themselves in pictures.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Delivering high fashion/high aesthetic images for regular people, offering the same experience that I offer fashion models is both what I am known for, and what I am proud of. Being able to coach regular people without posing skills to put them into position in pretty locations and making them look and feel good about themselves. Helping them find confidence in themselves and how they look at themselves.
Most of all making it fun, and delivering amazing images at the end.
What’s next?
I think I am going to keep doing this as long as it fuels my passion, I think there may be a time when this runs it’s course and I want to turn my eye to abstract or architecture or some other type of photography, but i think I will always love an amazing interesting face that conveys something to the viewer.
Pricing:
- City Vibe Fashion/Lifestyle – basic shoot $400
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darkhorsephotographysa?igsh=MXZtd3VnM3k2YWpsOA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Xh4hakfe2/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@darkhorsesoundsa?si=UtyHcNvX5xcCxgof
