Male

40

Before working in photography, Calvin Childs became a connoisseur in the fashion industry. He has a wide range of skills from producing fashion shows, magazines, developing artists as well as fashion designers. As a result, he developed a sophisticated sense for style, expert taste and class. Calvin Childs believes his diverse experiences in life have greatly and positively influenced how he works. Traveling the world as a student scholar athlete while in college provided him with a unique perception into the human spirit. He utilizes this heightened intuition to enhance his portrayal of the personalities of people he photographs. It is the "divine nature of each individual" that Calvin Childs strives to capture through his lens. Calvin Childs involvement in photography began in 1997 . Shooting the fashion shows that he produced, the culmination of Calvin’s personal and professional history enables him to see, bring forth, and capture the essence radiating from within each subject.



Frequently Asked Questions

What inspires You!

I'm inspired by the urban life! It's that girl that's standing on the bus stop listening to her walkman. The honey that hollering at her boyfriend on the cell phone while walking thru the hood!

It's that girl that's in the club standing up looking like wall flower, not wanting to dance because she thinks she looks to good to dance. That's what moves me! It makes me want to create and document that every day expression on the black woman. I love and respect the black woman and the beauty that she has! I truly found my passion in life. Which is to document to everyday expression of our people! This is done thru my photography.

Do you have a studio!

Yes, Check it out here is the link!



Did you go to school for photography?

My clients are still surprised when I answer no to this. I don't credit my formal education with much (I went to Cal-State Fullerton in California, 1986-1991). I learned by hiring good assistants, watching other photographers, reading books, asking questions and knowing what I want out of each assignment.

How did you build your first portfolio?

Most of what I learned technically I picked up from other photographers and from trying different approaches. I built most of my first portfolio by approaching models at fashion shows that I produced and asking them to sit for me. At that time I didn't really know what the fuck I was doing. I was just happy to have a camera in my hand. I was fortunate enough to have a friend name Mitch who use to photograph the fashion shows that I would produce for me. Mitch was a photographer he actually went to school for photography and he had the technical think down! Mitch understood what I wanted and he would set the camera's for me until I caught on. Believe or not it took about 200 photo-shoots or about two years before I had a good understanding of what I was doing. He was also nice enough to be there for me every step of the way. After a while I had to pay him just to come on shoots with me! I now wish that I went to school for Photography because my passion for photography made me want to change career paths. Mitch was humble enough to understand that I wanted to be a photographer one like him and he didn't mind helping me get my feet wet. I would like to thank Mitch for his My photography career would not be if it wasn't for Mitch! Thanks Mitch! And One Love! Mitch now deals in graphics and web design! We don't speak as often but I have the utmost respect for him!



Who put together your web site?

In 1998 my friend Orloff Phillips put together a web site for me and eventually connected it to his new web site building company, Pent Com. He always encouraged me to play with it and use the medium for all that it's worth, so when Orloff company got off the ground he took some time out to teach me web design (" like I needed another skill ") I later redesigned the site I added some new pictures, and made it a little more personal. I started with the basic structure of this site, but when it came to e-mail connections, E-commerce and java script . Now when was ready to update and expand, Orloff was overwhelmed with other projects. I now have to make the decision for this site on my own because I outgrew all of the free services that a friend can give. So now if I want something done right and in a timely fashion I either do it myself or pay top dollar to get it done. There is no other was to "play" because this is now how I do business so if I want it do right, I kick out the cash!

Do you work a full-time job!

Hell No! I don’t think nobody should. By all means you have to make a living and sometimes that means working for someone else. Name the last job that you had that said that it's ok to come in late because you had to take you kid to the hospital and the paid you for the time that you were in the hospital with your kid. Jobs just aren't me anymore. By all means I had my share of them here is the list IBM, UPS, ATT, Comcast, and many others and all of these company are still doing great even with out my black ass! Could you believe that I was busting my ass to be employee of the month just to get some dumb ass parking spot out free lunch for a week. If I new better I would of told them to just break me off with some cash. All I did for them and I can't even get free long distance of a free over night delivery! I was employee of the month several times at each of these companies.

Who are your favorite photographers?

My Uncle "Benny" He was the first person that I ever saw use a camera I was just a kid then I would watch him develop film and hand the prints on the cloth-line in the basement. I was always told to stay away for all of his equipment. But it always fascinated me on what in the hell was he doing. It just looked interesting. He died in 1979 and I miss him truly! If he was only here to see me today.

Another great photographer Sacha Dean He is Incredible



Who are the most difficult subjects you have worked with?

Anyone who falls into this category has done so because he or she has surprised me by being far more uncooperative than I expected. There are certainly people who were equally difficult or unpleasant who, I won’t mention, but I should expect it from them. They know who they are I will spare them by not mention their names. But there are those subjects who have a reputation for being difficult, whom I found pleasant and in some cases sweet. And there were a handful from which I didn't necessarily expect trouble, but were so super-helpful and cooperative. So I would like to thank them.

Who were your favorite subjects to shoot?

Women! I enjoy shooting women more than any other subject. This is not to say that I don't like to shoot other subjects it just means the I enjoy shooting women the most and they still will have to pay the full price!



Who would you most like to photograph?

My babies Mom! I think that she is so beautiful without even trying. But she won't let me I have to sneak and take a photo of her and she always covers her face before I can get the shoot off. I have hundreds of photos of her covering her face The only time that I can get her in a photo is if it a family portrait or something like that. Every time we set up a photo shoot for her something comes up with the kids. I'm just finally happy that she thinks my work is the "truth" I think that we will have a decent photo shoot this year though!

What should we look from you in the near future.

I just trying to reinvent myself I think that I've matured and I'm more into the art of photography than anything. I want to tell stories I now realize that my work can Impact peoples lives, boost self esteem and help the career of a inspiring model. I’m currently trying to get a book deal you know one of those big coffee table pictorial books and more of my photography exhibits. Look for more websites from me.

Which format do you like better digital or film.

Film however I often shoot digital.



What do you think makes a great photograph!

I've put that into what I call the seven elements of a great photograph.

1. Photographer-- A good photographer must be very creative he or she should be able to come up with ideals in seconds just as a rapper would when they freestyle. He should have accessibility to people places and things to enhance a shoot. Most of all he should have a great understanding the woman’s body, lighting and composition.

2. Location... The location plays a very important part in having a great photo I after see photo's of models shoot by amateur photographers where the photo could have been so much better if the location matched the outfit and the location. A photo without a good location misses the story line of the image.

3... Makeup.... This is such important element that often models go without it’s not good to do a shoot with out makeup artist. Just because you have good skin with no blemishes does not mean that you can go without makeup artist. A Makeup artist can make your eyes or lips look bigger or smaller if necessary. It could also make your face appear to look smaller or more round or longer if necessary and for a photographer it could help with the lighting by hiding some of the shaded areas underneath you eyebrow or lip. It could also bring out the color in you total look. Don’t short your photo shoot by not getting a skilled makeup artist and remember this just because a person has makeup that don’t make them a good makeup artist. Ask to see some of their before and after shoots. However a good photographer should have several makeup artists on staff and on call if necessary.

4. You the Model or subject! Don’t come to a shoot with a bad attitude it will show in your photos. The photographer can only do all but so much to relax you remember he is not a doctor. Other thing are of concern are grooming make sure you hair underneath you armpits is cut this is not the makeup artist job it’s yours! Lateness a photographer time is important just like your is so don't be late this starts the shoot out on the bad foot!

5...Wardrobe..... When a photographer tells you to just bring anything without consulting with you first he is just trying to get you in his studio, house or apartment just so he can see some eye candy up close. But the reality is that you need good gear to shoot in to make fantastic images.
Call me for the rest!