Interview With Photographer Chris Owen

November 17th, 2008 Posted in Interviews

Chris Owen is a professional photographer and Oregon native. A lifelong skateboarder, he spent a few years as a professional snowboarder and then ran marketing for some of the industry’s biggest brands. For many years now he has been a snowboard photographer and has taken that into other sports and beyond. He is also an avid road cyclist and spends a great deal of his time traveling the world.

RF: Where did you grow up?
Chris:  Portland, OR U.S.A.

RF: What were you into growing up?
Chris:  Basketball, Soccer, Skateboarding and Snowboarding as far as sports go. Hot wheels, Finger paints, Legos, Pine Cone fights, Just regular kid stuff.

RF: What do you worry about?
Chris:  Athletes foot, digital workflow, other things that are too big to wrap my head around.

RF: Do you like everything you do?
Chris:  No, but I do realize that I have the best job in the world.

RF: How did you know you wanted to be a photographer?
Chris:  I wanted to be a painter, but I don’t have the skill set or ego required to make it in that field.

RF: Are you easy to work with?
Chris:  Some would say yes, most would say no. I’ve never had any problems working with me.

RF: What’s your favorite place?
Chris:  Portland, OR or Melbourne, Australia.

RF: Ideal photographic subjects?
Chris:  I’ve always only wanted to photograph people, but I’m starting to get away from it a bit.

RF: Who or what inspires you?
Chris:  Soccer teams, sports movies, old men who play chess in the park, Michael Jordan highlight reels, and black-and-white film.

RF: What, if any, other photographers do you like?
Chris:  Anton Corbijn, a guy named Ben Ingham, Walter Iooss

RF: Favorite brands?
Chris:  Audi and BMW, Apple, Supreme, Ben Davis, UNIV, Pendleton woolen mills and the Golden Gate Hat Company.

RF: Outside of work, what do you do for fun?
Chris:  Ride bikes, skateboard, work around my house, play golf from time to time.

RF: Is there a 2008 style?
Chris:  I think it is just some whacky combination of every style that’s hit since the 70’s. Miles Davis never goes out of style.

RF: What’s next for your photography?
Chris:  Continue to Harness the digital beast; More sports, maybe motion pictures.

RF: Shout outs?
Chris:  Amber Owen, Tim Swart, Billy Anderson, Dave Sypniewski, Ultimate
Phil and Dan Connor. If you think you should be on here you are probably right.