Chrystofer Davis, is a documentary film street photographer in Newark New Jersey. His work has been shared in the Metropolitan Museum, the Schomburg, and the Newark Museum. Hes able to connect with his subjects quickly have them relax and then take a portrait of them. In this interview Chrystofer shares how he got started in photography at a young age. Through a memorable experience with his parents on a trip to Nassau, Chrystofer was given a Fujifilm disposable camera and taken a picture of a stairway that was perfectly composed with the sun shining through the windows. This visually striking moment motivated him to pursue photography professionally.
The Big Ideas:
Capture meaningful memories on film.
Film photography pushed career forward.
Film for archival purposes.
Print your photos for longevity.
Impact one person at a time.
Honor your cities culture and people.
Connect with people through photography.
Learn from rejection and move on.
Build rapport with subjects.
Find the camera that fits you.
Care for people and your city.
Timestamps:
00:09:01 Shoot with intention and passion.
00:16:04 Film photography for archival purposes.
00:22:45 Print photos for lasting memories.
00:25:53 Impact one person at a time.
00:30:07 Honor the past to build the future.
00:38:59 Connect with kindness and enthusiasm.
00:44:43 Be respectful and apologetic.
00:46:10 Build rapport before photographing.
00:56:57 Find a camera that fits you.
00:58:13 Document people's stories.
Resources:
Capture meaningful memories on film.
Photography has the power to capture meaningful memories and tell stories that can last a lifetime. For many, the journey of becoming a photographer begins with a single moment that sparks an interest in the craft. For documentary street photographer Chrystofer Davis, that moment happened when he was eight or nine years old. On a family vacation in Nassau, Bahamas, Chrystofer asked his mom for her Fujifilm disposable camera and took a photo of a stairway with the sun in the middle. In that moment, Chrystofer knew that he wanted to pursue photography.
Years later, when Chrystofer was in high school, his social studies teacher gave him a Canon 5d to take photos of the students and staff for the yearbook. This experience further solidified Christopher’s interest in photography and eventually led him to pursue it professionally.
Chrystofer’s photos are more than just street photography; they are a way of capturing who the community is and preserving meaningful memories. His photos are about people and connection, rather than light and lines. Chrystofer achieves this by building relationships with the people he photographs and getting to know them on a deeper level. He also chooses to shoot on film, which gives his photos a timeless quality and allows him to capture moments that are more meaningful and authentic.
By capturing meaningful memories on film, Chrystofer is able to preserve stories and moments that may otherwise be forgotten. His photos become a way of documenting history and creating a lasting legacy. Through his work, Chrystofer is able to capture the beauty of the world and share it with others.
Film photography pushed career forward.
Chrystofer's journey into film photography began in 2009, when he was attending Bluefield College. At the time, the college was canceling its photography program, so Chrystofer decided to pursue video instead. During his time at the college, Christopher would often take photos of his friends and the people he encountered on campus. He even organized a day where he invited people to come and take photos. This was a great way for him to introduce himself and his work to the public.
In 2016, Chrystofer decided to try out film photography with a fisheye camera. This was a turning point in his career, as he was now able to capture moments in a way that was more meaningful and personal. He was able to create a unique style of photography that was unlike anything else.
Chrystofer's film photography has pushed his career forward in a big way. He has been able to collaborate with graphic designers and has even had the opportunity to work on an internship with Damon John. Chrystofer's work has been featured in commercials, music videos, and even on his own blog.
Chrystofer has found a way to use film photography to capture the beauty of the world and share it with others. His work has allowed him to create a lasting legacy and document history. Through his passion for film photography, Chrystofer has been able to push his career forward and create a unique style of photography that is all his own.
Film for archival purposes.
Chrystofer’s journey began when he decided to go back to the origins of photography and shoot on celluloid film. He went to CVS to have his film developed, only to find out that there was nothing on the film. This setback was disheartening, but Chrystofer was determined to not let it stop him. He decided to pick up a Canon rangefinder and take his time to write down the notes of his shots, such as the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
By taking his time and writing down his notes, Chrystofer was able to capture moments in the city of Newark that would otherwise be lost to time. He was able to document the changes in the city and capture moments that would otherwise be forgotten. He was also able to break through his fear of the unknown and take portraits of strangers on the street.
Chrystofer’s work has allowed him to create a lasting legacy and document history. He has been able to use film photography to capture the beauty of the world and share it with others. Through his passion for film photography, Chrystofer has been able to push his career forward and create a unique style of photography that is all his own.
Chrystofer’s use of film photography is not only for aesthetic purposes, but also for archival purposes. He is aware that digital media can become outdated and can be lost due to software updates. Chrystofer wants his work to outlive him, and so he chooses to use film photography to ensure that his work will last.
Chrystofer’s use of film photography is an inspiring example of how one can use photography to document and preserve history. By taking his time and writing down his notes, Chrystofer has been able to capture moments in the city of Newark that would otherwise be lost to time. His passion for film photography has allowed him to create a lasting legacy and document history. Chrystofer’s use of film photography for archival purposes is an inspiring example of how one can use photography to create a lasting legacy and preserve history.
Print your photos for longevity.
In today’s digital age, it is easy to take photos and share them with the world. However, it is also easy to forget about the photos we take and the memories that they capture. Digital photos can easily be lost or forgotten due to hard drive crashes, computer viruses, or simply not backing up our photos. This is why it is important to print our photos for longevity.
Printing our photos allows us to create tangible memories that will last for years. We can store them in albums or frames, or even keep them in a safe place. This allows us to look back on our memories and relive them. We can also share our memories with others, as physical photos are easier to share than digital ones.
Printing our photos also ensures that our photos will be preserved for future generations. We can pass down our photos to our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. This way, they can look back on our memories and learn more about who we were.
Vivian Meyer is an inspiring example of the longevity of printed photos. Meyer was a nanny who loved to take photos on the street, but her closest friends didn’t even know she was a photographer. It wasn’t until 2006 that someone found a case of her rolls of film and went through them. This discovery revealed a treasure trove of photos from the 1950s and 60s that showed life in Chicago, New York, and other places Meyer had traveled. This discovery shows how powerful printed photos can be.
Chrystofer’s use of film photography is an inspiring example of how one can use photography to document and preserve history. By printing our photos, we can ensure that our memories will be preserved for future generations and that our photos will last for years to come. So, let’s make sure to print our photos for longevity and create a lasting legacy.
Impact one person at a time.
Chrystofer’s approach to photography is to “impact one person at a time”. He believes in the power of photography to document and tell stories of people’s lives, and he has seen firsthand the impact that his photos have had on the people he has photographed. Chrystofer has taken portraits of people in his community of Newark, New Jersey, and he takes the time to sit with them and learn their stories. He then prints the photos and frames them for the people he has photographed, which has brought them joy and made them feel seen and appreciated.
Chrystofer’s approach is an inspiring example of how we can use photography to make a difference. We can use our photos to document and tell stories of people’s lives, and to make them feel seen and appreciated. We can also use our photos to spread positivity and show the beauty of the people and places around us. By taking the time to get to know people and document their stories, we can make a lasting impact on the people in our communities.
Chrystofer’s approach to photography is an inspiring example of how we can use our photos to make a difference. By taking the time to get to know people and document their stories, we can make a lasting impact on the people in our communities. We can use our photos to document and tell stories of people’s lives, to make them feel seen and appreciated, and to spread positivity and show the beauty of the people and places around us. Let’s make sure to print our photos for longevity and create a lasting legacy.
Honor your cities culture and people.
Chrystofer’s story is a great example of how we can honor Newark’s culture and people. He has taken the time to get to know the people in his community, such as Sydney, a vendor who has been around since the 90s. Chrystofer has been able to capture the essence of his story and the culture of Newark by taking the time to learn about him and tell his story.
In addition to honoring the people of Newark, Chrystofer has also been able to honor the city’s history. He has been able to document the origins of film in Newark, which was birthed in an attic by Reverend Hannibal Goodwin. Chrystofer is also teaching people of all ages how to shoot film, develop film, and make silver gelatin prints at the Newark Print Shop. By teaching others how to use film, Chrystofer is not only honoring the history of the city, but also helping to create a lasting legacy.
We can all learn from Chrystofer’s example and take the time to honor Newark’s culture and people. Let’s take the time to get to know the people in our communities, document their stories, and create a lasting legacy. By honoring the people and culture of Newark, we can create a positive and lasting impact on our city.
Connect with people through photography.
Chrystofer, a documentary photographer, is a great example of how to connect with people through photography. He has a passion for connecting with people and telling their stories. He approaches each person he meets with a smile and a compliment, and then introduces himself as a documentary photographer. He has a physical copy of his work to show them, and he makes sure to explain that he is not there to exploit them, but to show them that they are beautiful and a great person.
Chrystofer also makes sure to bring extra copies of his book and even an Instax or Polaroid camera to give to the people he photographs. This is a great way to show his appreciation for their time and willingness to be photographed. He also makes sure to get their Instagram, social media, or email address so he can send them the photos.
Chrystofer’s approach to photography is a great reminder that we should take the time to get to know the people in our communities and document their stories. We should be conscious of how we are representing them and make sure that our photos are not weaponized to shame them. We should also make sure to show our appreciation for their time and willingness to be photographed.
By connecting with people through photography, we can create a lasting legacy that honors the culture and people of our city. We can also learn from the stories of the people in our communities and use photography to create a positive and lasting impact on our city.
Learn from rejection and move on.
However, it is not always easy to take photos of strangers. It requires a lot of courage to approach someone, ask them to take a photo, and then take the photo. It can be intimidating and even scary to do this, especially if you are a beginner photographer. But, it is important to understand that it is a part of the process and that rejection is a part of life.
When you approach someone to take their photo, you may be met with a hard no or a negative reaction. This can be discouraging, but it is important to remember that it is not personal. It is important to understand that people may feel uncomfortable or threatened when they are approached by a stranger with a camera. It is important to be respectful and understanding and to not take it personally.
It is also important to remember that rejection is a part of life. Rejection can be a learning experience and can help us grow as photographers. It can help us understand the power of our images and the impact they can have on people. It can also help us understand how to approach people more respectfully and how to create a positive and lasting impact with our photos.
Rejection can be a difficult experience, but it is important to learn from it and move on. We should use it as an opportunity to grow, to understand our craft better, and to create a lasting legacy with our photos.
Build rapport with subjects.
Building rapport with subjects is an essential part of the photography process. It is not only important to create a positive environment for the subject, but it also helps the photographer capture the best possible images. It is important to remember that the subjects of our photographs are human beings, not objects. We should take the time to get to know them, to understand their story, and to create a connection with them.
When approaching a subject, it is important to be aware of the situation and to be respectful. We should be aware of the environment and the subject's feelings, and adjust our approach accordingly. We should also be aware of the potential reactions we may get from the subject, and be prepared to handle them.
It is also important to be understanding and patient with the subject. We should be willing to take the time to listen to their story and to answer any questions they may have. We should also make sure to explain our purpose for taking the photo, and why we think it is important. It is important to create a safe and comfortable environment for the subject, and to make sure that they are comfortable with the process.
Finally, it is important to be open and honest with the subject. We should be honest about our intentions and our goals, and make sure that the subject is aware of our intentions. We should also be honest about our expectations, and make sure that the subject is aware of what we are looking for in the photo.
Building rapport with subjects is an essential part of the photography process. It is important to be respectful, understanding, and honest. It is also important to take the time to get to know the subject, to understand their story, and to create a connection with them. By doing so, we can create better images and create a lasting legacy with our photos.
Find the camera that fits you.
This is something that photographer, Leica user, and Newark native, Antonio, has taken to heart. Antonio had the chance to assist a photographer on a shoot in Newark for a veterans project. While working, the photographer lamented his regret of not getting to know the people he was photographing and their stories. This experience stuck with Antonio and he has since tried to take lessons from the older photographers and apply them to his own work.
When it comes to his own photography, Chrystofer has chosen to use the Leica M6 camera. While there are other cameras that are more technologically advanced and much cheaper, Antonio chose to invest in the Leica. He believes that it is more than just a fashion statement, but rather a well-versed camera that works with him, rather than against him. He appreciates that it is a quiet camera, allowing him to be non-intrusive, and that it is well made. He also appreciates the fact that it has a shutter speed, focus, and aperture control all in one place.
The lesson that Chrystofer has learned is that it is important to find the camera that fits you. Whether it is the Leica M6 or another camera, it is important to find the camera that works best for you and your style of photography. As Chrystofer has experienced, it is not always the most expensive or most advanced camera that will be the best fit. It is important to take the time to try out different cameras, to understand their features, and to find the one that works best for you.
By finding the camera that fits you, you can create better images and build better relationships with your subjects. You will be able to focus more on capturing the moment, rather than worrying about the technical aspects of the camera. This will help you to create a lasting legacy with your photos and to tell the stories of those you photograph.
Care for people and your city.
Chrystofer Davis is a photographer from Newark, New Jersey, and he has dedicated his life to capturing the stories of the people of Newark. He has been able to do this by finding the camera that fits him best. A camera allows him to be less intrusive and to capture the moment without drawing too much attention. He has been able to capture the beauty of the city and its people and has been able to archive his work in highly regarded institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum, the Schomburg, and the Newark Museum.
Davis wants to be remembered for caring for the city of Newark and its people. He wants to show that there are important figures in the city, and that everyone he has put in front of his camera is important. He wants to be remembered for caring for the city when so many others don't and for showing that there is beauty in the city. He wants to be remembered for caring for the people of Newark and for caring for the city in general.
Caring for people and city is an important part of photography. It is not just about taking pictures, but about connecting with people and creating a lasting legacy. It is about capturing the beauty of a city and its people and showing that there is beauty in the world. Christopher Davis has dedicated his life to capturing the stories of the people of Newark, and he wants to be remembered for caring for the people and city of Newark.
