Chris-Baldwin-1

UNFLINCHING FOCUS

Photographer Chris Baldwin captures lasting impressions of grit and grace

Chris Baldwin was smitten the moment he got his first camera at 15, and immediately began relentlessly documenting his love of nature. Following college, he worked as a field biologist before returning to his first love. Based in L.A., Baldwin has established a reputation for capturing striking images in the world of sports, lifestyle and music (like the above shot of Snoop Dogg and the Game in L.A.). A graduate degree in spiritual psychology also figures into his craft. “It’s about capturing moments that are organic—not contrived, but real and raw,” he says. Here’s a sampling of Baldwin’s work—for more, go to chrisbaldwinphoto.com.

EMINEM, 2009 This was taken at a warehouse in a dilapidated part of Detroit—a publicity shot for the “Beautiful” video. We also went to the old Detroit Tigers stadium. Eminem is always focused and gives me time and space to capture iconic images.

EMINEM, 2009
This was taken at a warehouse in a dilapidated part of Detroit—a publicity shot for the “Beautiful” video. We also went to the old Detroit Tigers stadium. Eminem is always focused and gives me time and space to capture iconic images.

JAY-Z, 2009 They were shooting the “D.O.A.” video. During a break, Jay-Z gave me some quality time. He’s on the Brooklyn side of the East River, sitting on the rocks, smoking a cigar. He’s serious but can also be easygoing. We had some laughs.

JAY-Z, 2009
They were shooting the “D.O.A.” video. During a break, Jay-Z gave me some quality time. He’s on the Brooklyn side of the East River, sitting on the rocks, smoking a cigar. He’s serious but can also be easygoing. We had some laughs.

PRINCE CHARLEZ, 2010 We were driving around East L.A. doing run-and-gun, guerilla-style photography. This location got our attention, the way the fence and sidewalks form a triangle. There’s a cul-de-sac in front of Prince Charlez, a circle that you can’t see.

PRINCE CHARLEZ, 2010
We were driving around East L.A. doing run-and-gun, guerilla-style photography. This location got our attention, the way the fence and sidewalks form a triangle. There’s a cul-de-sac in front of Prince Charlez, a circle that you can’t see.

HOT DOLLAR, 2007 Another run-and-gun shot, taken in Compton. That torched house got my attention—that, and the mailbox with the flag up. The creative director was blowing through cash, paying off people who said we were shooting on their street.

HOT DOLLAR, 2007
Another run-and-gun shot, taken in Compton. That torched house got my attention—that, and the mailbox with the flag up. The creative director was blowing through cash, paying off people who said we were shooting on their street.

FERGIE, 2007 Fergie’s gearing up to shoot the “Big Girls Don’t Cry” video in L.A. She was lost in herself, dancing and rehearsing what she was going to do. I’d noticed the beautiful light coming through the window and clicked. I love a backlit shot.

FERGIE, 2007
Fergie’s gearing up to shoot the “Big Girls Don’t Cry” video in L.A. She was lost in herself, dancing and rehearsing what she was going to do. I’d noticed the beautiful light coming through the window and clicked. I love a backlit shot.

RIHANNA, 2009 Shooting had just wrapped for her “Russian Roulette” video, which they were doing at a Hollywood film studio. I had a few a

RIHANNA, 2009
Shooting had just wrapped for her “Russian Roulette” video, which they were doing at a Hollywood film studio. I had a few a

KING LOUIE, 2012 King Louie had come out to Long Beach from Chicago, and it was a beautiful, classic California day. We shot toward the ocean—an inspiring, fresh location that had a relaxed, cool vibe. That’s a vintage car, a prop car that we rented.

KING LOUIE, 2012
King Louie had come out to Long Beach from Chicago, and it was a beautiful, classic California day. We shot toward the ocean—an inspiring, fresh location that had a relaxed, cool vibe. That’s a vintage car, a prop car that we rented.

LIL TWIST, 2011 We rented a hotel room in Miami Beach with a great view, and this was taken on the balcony. I was inspired by Lil Twist’s haircut and by his character. I love how the ocean meets the horizon. To this day it’s one of my favorite shots.

LIL TWIST, 2011
We rented a hotel room in Miami Beach with a great view, and this was taken on the balcony. I was inspired by Lil Twist’s haircut and by his character. I love how the ocean meets the horizon. To this day it’s one of my favorite shots.

 

 

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