Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Holmes.
Hi Chris, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My name is Chris Holmes and I’ve been a professional photographer since 1979 when I joined the US Navy as a photographer. While stationed in Southern California, I applied for a part-time wedding photographer job locally to earn extra income and to learn more about photographing weddings. While at the studio, my mentor was Rocky Gunn, a very successful wedding photographer who built his own wedding chapel on his property. That was an inspiration and became a lifelong goal, one I would realize in 2005 when we purchased a beautiful, historic church in our small town of Grand Ledge, Mi. and after much restoration became our photography studio (Holmes Photography Studio) and our new wedding chapel (Bridge Street Wedding Chapel). We perform 40-60 weddings each year and photograph just as many, at the chapel and on location throughout Michigan and destination weddings at locations including Jamaica.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As an entrepreneur, you can expect a number of challenges along the way and we definitely had ours. From starting a new business that required finding clients, customers, and at times contractors to help with the physical building of our chapel and studio/office spaces to a total crash of the economy short after opening. After hosting our first wedding in 2006, the economy took a nosedive at the worst possible time, forcing us to adapt to every aspect of our business. Brides were choosing less expensive alternatives to formal settings – such as their parents’ back yards and they were also choosing to have their relatives and friends photograph them. A lot of workers who were laid off decided to become “wedding photographers” due to the new digital cameras and even iPhone cameras. It took about a year of horror stories due to these amateur photographers to help couples realize hiring an amateur to photograph their wedding was a very bad idea and weddings are built on memories that can be best created in an amazing ceremony venue such as ours.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Becoming a professional photographer (inspired by National Geographic as a child) has been a lifelong goal and passion of mine. To capture and evoke an emotion using all the tools of photography, from light, composition, subject matter, timing, and equipment choices (lens and lights) with the end result being a photograph that captures the attention of the viewer. I studied photography and traveled the world as a Navy photographer for 9 years and then as a photojournalist working for newspapers and magazines. I’ve had literally decades to hone my creative and technical skills. As primarily a wedding and portrait photographer now, I use all of this experience to create magazine-quality images that tell a story to capture the wedding day and the essence of our subjects. My goal is to capture those amazing candid moments at weddings that make the couples laugh, cry, or both! For my portrait subjects, I use technical techniques, including off-camera flash, along with all the other creative aspects of composition, posing, and lighting to create photos worthy of your wall for years to come.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
The luckiest thing I can think of is having a dad who recognized my love of photography from a young age and encouraged it every step of the way. I also learned that “Luck favors the prepared”. It’s an expression I learned long ago and was reinforced while attending Syracuse University’s Military Photojournalism program. The 5 Ps were a core value we learned and adhered to. Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Photojournalism (or substituted photography in general). I find the more I prepare the luckier I get. When things don’t go as well as desired – I see if there was a chance to be better prepared. “Bad luck” is a time to learn and grow. If it was out of our control – don’t dwell on it – weather, pandemics, market crashes, etc. If it could have been better with more preparation, we make sure to do even more prep work next time.
Pricing:
- High School Senior Sessions $295
- Weddings Photography Varies Depending on Options Chosen
- Chapel Wedding Ceremony Rentals Vary on Options and Time
Contact Info:
- Email: HolmesPhotoStudio200@gmail.com / WeddChapel@gmail.com
- Website: www.HolmesPhotography.biz / www.BridgeStreetWeddingChapel.com
Image Credits
Holmes Photography Studio
