Photographer Chris Woods was born and raised in a small town outside of Toronto, Canada. He began his career shooting skateboarders and eventually his interests began shifting to the culture of skateboarding. At that point, he began assisting to learn more about the craft. Chris has been shooting professionally for the past seven years, specializing in conceptual advertising campaigns and celebrity portraits; his images are strong, striking and beautifully lit. With representatives in London, New York and Toronto, Chris's commissioned work takes him around the world from Australia, to Chile, Africa and the UK for clients that include Gatorade, Nike, Adidas, Land Rover, Cadillac, Rolling Stone and Interview magazine.
04.13.10
Lions in Range Rovers
If you have a degree in what field is it? I almost finished my degree in photography. Unfortunately, I was in the darkroom during all of the elective classes and apparently you need them to graduate—at the time, I didn’t understand what Philosophy 101 had to do with becoming a photographer.
What was your strangest assignment? They’re all kind of strange in their own way but I guess shooting a lion in the back of a Range Rover would be right up there.
Which photographer would you like to meet? Terry Richardson...not sure why. It seems like he’d be fun to hang out with.
What famous person (living or dead) would you most like to photograph? Shane MacGowan (fifteen years ago) or Shannyn Sossamon.
Aside from your camera and lighting, what item could you not work without? I don’t think there is anything else I absolutely need... A laptop I guess?
Is there anything you would not digitally retouch? The following is Joe Toreno’s answer to this question (I tried to reword it but he put it better than I could have): “I really try not to fix ‘flaws’ in people. As a portrait photographer, I like the idea of showing people how they really are, not over-stylized or retouched; I’m not a big fan of that airbrushed look, where some actress has no wrinkles but she’s 65-years-old. I know it’s required sometimes but I try to avoid it as much as possible.”
From where do your best ideas originate? That’s hard to say. I wish I knew. I think ideas come from anywhere and everywhere depending on your state of mind. A good idea at 3:00am might not be so great at noon—meaning, when ideas strike, you should shoot them right away. Being overly busy usually breeds ideas; I’m rarely inspired when I have nothing going on.
How do you overcome a creative block? I’ve learned not to force it. I used to really stress when it happened but now I accept it as part of the process.
Do you have creative pursuits other than photography? I’ve been directing commercials for a few years and would like to get into long format at some point.
What music are you listening to right now? As in, right this second? Talib Kweli.
What’s your approach to balancing work and life? Work is a huge part of my life so that line gets a little blurry. Although, they sit nicely together so I guess I’m pretty lucky that way.
What’s your favorite quote? Anything that was ever said by Paul Arden.
Do you have any advice for people just entering the profession? Do something everyday that has to do with photography and read Paul Arden’s Whatever You Think, Think The Opposite, then do exactly what he says.
What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started your career? That pro-bono doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting the next job through the door.