ABOUT

Chris is a photographer and educator based in Long Beach, CA. It is a desire to teach, love for the outdoors, and photography which resulted in his role as a landscape photographer and educator. When not sharing his photography knowledge he can be found exploring nature’s beauty in his endless search for perfect light and discovery.

HISTORY

Born and raised in Seal Beach, CA, he developed a love for the ocean and outdoors during his childhood exploration of the State of California. Chris was very active in sports and outdoor activities that took him from California's oceans, through the mountains and to the deserts. It was these formative years that sculpted his love of the beauty of the earth and the joy of exploring it.

Seeded Visions

In partnership with Chris’s exploration, he was always exposed to nature at home through books showing Ansel Adams’ work, literary journals like National Geographic, films by Warren Miller, and discussion of his parents travels. Seeing the wonders of the world changed his vision of the world, opening his eyes and mind. While these had a great effect on Chris, he wouldn’t realize how much until later in life.

Findinding His Way

After High School Chris went to college, but as many young Americans his age, he hadn’t found a path to a life of fulfillment. Jumping from major to major, Chris eventually landed in business as he developed a retail career going to school. It would be retail management with companies such as JCPenney and Ross Dress For Less that would form the direction of Chris’s early adult life. However, there was something missing, nature. Chris longed for the rays of the sun from his youth, the smell of fresh air, and the lack of routine. The days of fluorescent lights, air conditioning, working in a corporate environment where coming to a close. Change was in the air.

Discovery

After years of encouragement from his brother, Chris purchased his first DSLR in 2009 to help document his hiking expeditions and journey as he began to find his way. Like many who start out, Chris wasn’t focusing on landscapes only, but learning how to use his camera and exploring basic techniques using what surrounded him. Chris started to carry his camera everywhere and soon began exploring more and more of Greater Los Angeles. A few years later something clicked on in his mind. Something deep down reappeared reminding him of his days in nature and now important they were to him. He began to focus on landscapes and focused his attention on perfecting this craft.

“Hello World”

In April of 2015 Chris joined Instagram and created his account @CECPhotos to share his photography journey. With new found inspiration and competition, Chris began shaping his vision and discovering what photography would mean to him. It would be these early years where Chris would meet photographers, friends, road-buddies and find partnerships. Chris developed a wide-variety of photography techniques through his social connections and people began to ask for help with their own craft and Chris was happy to share what he knew as he grew himself. It was then that Chris realized that he could find a way to pursue his passion for photography by teaching others. Continuing to work on his craft, Chris received more request for teaching his methods and began teaching workshops in his free time. Once he was able to break free from his daytime job, Photography became his full-time profession in the beginning of 2018 and he hasn’t looked back.

Present Day

Chris can be found providing workshops to help others improve their craft in the Southern California Area and beyond. Sharing has always been in his blood, passed down from his mother’s teaching, which continues today through Chris. Sharing is really what life is all about. Nothing experienced is really worth it, unless shared with others. Chris is also passionate about social responsibility and good practices while experiencing our natural lands and parks. When not teaching or shooting, Chris provides professional services such as, session, weddings, real estate and content creation.

Partners