Photos are our autobiography.  A way of telling who we are… Jan Phillips.

I’m a portrait photographer and an aspiring fashion photographer.  And maybe its the stronger portrait side that makes me really like the work of @chrisorwig.  

His work is calm and harmonious, and he seems to photograph the most peaceful and thoughtful souls.  This is a contrast to the day to day frenetic helter skelter life around us.  So I wonder…can all the personalities in his portraits really be so serene?   In other words, are all the photos really self portraits where he has projected his disposition onto different people or are serene people the ones that attract him?  

I don’t know the answer to this and I don’t know Chris, but something in his character let’s him imbue coolness into his creations.   Why do i care?  It matters to me because he connects with the people in his portraits and ultimately I want to do that too, whether it is a headshot, portrait or fashion shoot.  

There is of course a long list of legendary portrait photographers that bring out character in their work; Peter Lindbergh, Milton Greene and Gregory Heisler to name a few out of that list.  But Chris Orwig’s photos are uncomplicated and clean, and for some reason everyone in his pictures seems likeable.  I used the word uncomplicated to describe his work, but I’ve purchased a few of his online courses and I see how much work goes into executing the shot, post production and finishing some of his pictures. 

I’m not writing this to just say nice things about Chris, I hope that by thinking critically about why I like someone’s work then it will take me closer to where I want to be.  Right now I’m all over the place in my work in an effort to get in more practice and to improve, I think that understanding why I’m drawn to certain photographers will help me understand my goals a little better.   Some styles I like a lot, but I don’t really like them for me –  I need to understand the difference and I believe that articulating that will help.  If that makes sense.

Do I want to be a replica of anyone?  Ultimately no.  I think I have my own style that hopefully can connect to various people and show them in a light that is flattering and thoughtful, but above all honest.  The honest part is a challenge, because I need to show how they honestly see themselves and not who I want them to be.  I think that with each photographer that I admire I learn a little more about myself.

See Chris Orwig web site: http://chrisorwig.com

instagram: @chrisorwig