Today we’d like to introduce you to Craig Chandler Jr.
Hi Craig, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I think like a lot of people now, my photography journey started with my iPhone. I’d take photos when I went on different trips, like my first big trip to the Mediterranean or out west, and I just wanted to save those moments. The more I used my phone, the more I became interested in capturing things with a more artistic and intentional lens.
After years of learning my eye with the iPhone, I started experimenting with film photography. Film is the complete opposite of digital—it forces you to slow down, look closer, and be really intentional because you have limited exposures. That was an invaluable lesson that I carried forward when I got my first professional camera. Now, I can combine the intentionality of film with the flexibility of digital to capture both grand landscapes and the artistic moments in my everyday life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say the overall journey itself has been pretty smooth, but the initial obstacle that a lot of people face—myself included—is the expectation that your photos are going to look great immediately. And that’s just not always the case!
The real challenge is learning to be patient with yourself. It takes time to learn to translate what was interesting to your eye in a moment into a great photograph. You have to figure out why you wanted to take that picture and then showcase that in your work.
I actually like looking back at my older photos now. I can clearly see that I’ve progressed and gotten better over time, but I can still look at those old photos and appreciate the memories. They remind me that I’ve always had a good eye, I just wasn’t as consistent yet.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’d say my main focus is Landscape and Travel photography. I love capturing those big, dramatic scenes, especially desert landscapes. But my practice has broadened to include finding the something in the everyday like taking a walk at my local park. It’s really just whatever strikes my eye. I think the best advice for any photographer is to be a dedicated observer: stay curious and look for what’s visually interesting around you.
In terms of what sets me apart, I don’t really worry about that too much. I figure if I take photos that are authentic to my artistic sensibility, then I’m bound to capture something unique to me. Instead of comparing, I focus on capturing my personal experience of a place and trust that something unique will come out of that.
I’m honestly most proud of the work I’ve made in the last two years. There’s one photo that sticks out: a sunset shot of a lake outside Park City, Utah. The conditions were awful—freezing cold with crazy winds—and I didn’t even have my tripod. I literally just held the camera as steady as humanly possible to get a long exposure to smooth out the waters. I love that photo because it was a battle against the elements, and I got the shot anyway. It’s one of my favorite photos I’ve taken and I’m glad I was able to make it happen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.craigchandlerphotos.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigchandlerphotos?igsh=MTJqanMwNnRyZjNpcQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@craigchandlerphotos?_t=ZT-90xZCAKzRrp&_r=1
