Respect the Shooter with Christopher Carre
What's your name?
Everybody calls me Chris. Being Haitian-American most don’t get my last name right (Carré) so a select few call me Carr.
How did you get into photography/videography?
My fiancé was graduating with a Masters degree in HR, and didn’t want me using our little point and shoot camera. So off she sent me to get a upgrade. As she would say I came back with a new toy. What I really came back with was an outlet of my creative side. Up to that point me creativity was mainly pushed into my cooking skills thanks to a family of women and culinary schools.
What did you first use to take photos?
After much debating with myself my first camera was a Nikon D5200 with an 18-55mm, 55-120mm lens.
Where did you go to school? Do you have any formal training/self taught?
I have no formal training total self taught, I was lucky to find a few great guy’s and ladies on Facebook social groups: Staten Island Photography Group and The NYC Image Group, that took their time to give me pointers. Also with the amount of free information that is out in the world there is nothing that you can’t obtain information on, and that what I did - researched hours and hours of free information.
Do you have any nicknames? How did you get that name?
Nope not unless you’re one of the people using my last name.
If you could take photos of any 3 people who would it be?
Lets see, my three would be President Barak Obama, Erykah Badu & Winnie Harlow. I think by me taking the photo of Barack, it would be over shadowed by the conversation that could possibly happen during the shoot would be worth the price of admission. Winnie Harlow just to hear her story, and capture her beauty. And Erykah Badu, is Erykah Badu nothing more to say.
If you could take photos of any 3 people that are no longer living who would they be?
First would be Malcom X, Biggie, and Bruce Lee. I know the list seem random AF, but if you know me it makes sense.
If you could take photos in any 3 cities what would they be?
One would be Rome for the architecture, Morocco for the people, culture, and food, Los Angles, for the feeling.
What is your goal when you capture photos of someone?
Emotions, simply emotions. I want that person’s shot to have some of their emotions at that time of taking the shot. I think that’s missed sometimes when in the moment of shooting. I get too caught-up in the lights, camera setting, wardrobe, make-up.
What music do you listen to when you edit photos?
Lately, I have been listening to Afro Beats play list when i edit, or Kendrick. Kwesta’s ‘Spirit’, D.W.Joe\Gunz Hollewood “God Like” are great song and keeps my brian energy going, mental fatigue while editing is a big problem. If I don’t have the right mood when editing I have gone back to the images the next day and started them over from square one, mad at myself like what the hell was I doing.
What's your favorite app on your phone?
Funny question, I really didn’t, know until you asked. But the answer is Crunchyroll and Spotify, I always need my anime and music.
What is your dream as a photographer?
To create that next great image. Once I have that great image I’ll move on to create the next great new one.
What is some advice you would give to someone with a dream to be a photographer/videographer?
Practice, practice and practice never think there is nothing left to learn. Seek out a mentor, and establish assistant jobs with other photographers. Payment is more than monetary, it is the experience that is a greater goal.
Where can people find you? (social media, website, etc)