Kris C.

More about Kris C....

What do you love about your job?

What I love most about this work is the constant mix of creativity and real-world impact. I still get the same rush I felt as a teenager cutting skate videos—finding the right light, timing, and framing that turns an ordinary moment into something that feels alive. Whether I’m shooting a real-estate listing that helps a family sell their home, capturing a headshot that gives someone confidence, or creating a music video or commercial piece, there’s a clear purpose behind every frame.
I also love the variety and the people. One day I’m flying a drone over a South Sound property, the next I’m in the studio for portraits or out documenting a local event or band. At the end of the day, knowing the work helps someone succeed or simply feel seen—that’s what keeps me coming back.

What types of shoots have you done and how did you make them special?

I’ve done a really wide range of shoots over the years, and that variety is actually one of my biggest strengths. Real-estate photography and video tours (including aerials, floor plans, and virtual tours), food and product photography, business headshots and creative portraits, music videos and band photography, commercial and promotional work, events, and even action-oriented shoots that go back to my skateboarding roots.What makes each of them special is that I approach every job as a unique problem to solve rather than following a rigid formula. Because I’ve worked across so many different scenarios—corporate environments, fast-paced restaurant kitchens, quiet portrait sessions, live music, and properties of every size—I’ve learned how to adapt quickly. Lighting conditions change, timelines get tight, subjects get nervous, or the weather decides not to cooperate. My experience lets me stay calm, improvise, and still deliver images or video that feel intentional and effective.I mostly shoot solo, which keeps the process personal and flexible. I focus on storytelling: making a space feel inviting, food look irresistible, a person look confident, or a performance feel energetic. The goal is always the same—create work that actually helps the client—whether that’s selling a home, filling a menu, or building a brand. That combination of broad experience and the ability to pivot in the moment is what I think sets the work apart.

Awards, honors, and recognitions received

My photography and video work has been featured in local magazines such as South Sound Magazine and 253 Lifestyle. I’ve also shown work and contributed to art events at Fulcrum Gallery in Tacoma—including video art for the Artist Mythos series and earlier group exhibitions—and at the Tacoma Art Museum. These opportunities sit alongside recognition such as the 2018 Best Event Videography award from ILEA Seattle and multiple participations in the Tacoma Film Festival.

A fun fact about this photographer

Fun fact: In addition to teaching photography and film to high school students at Annie Wright School in Tacoma from 2014–2017, I currently teach skateboard lessons to skaters of all ages. The same passion for movement, creativity, and helping people improve that started with my own skate videos as a teenager still shows up every time I’m at the skatepark.