April Spotlight Artist: Christie Cunningham

Congratulations to April's Spotlight Artist, the lovely Christie Cunningham! A gifted photographer with incredible skill for using reflections in fun and creative ways as she documents her sweet boys.

Tell us a little bit about your photographic journey.

I really started getting into photography when I received a dlsr camera as a wedding gift. I brought it with me on my honeymoon and thought I was hot shit taking pictures of the scenery with this amazing depth of field. I had no experience and no idea where I wanted to go with it, but I knew I loved it already. I started a photography business a couple of years in and was working with backdrops, light and airy edits and photo props. It's what I saw, so it's what I did. I started not chasing that dream because I didn't find the joy in that type of photography, but I wouldn't know that until I had my oldest and really fell in love with more of a lifestyle approach to photography. Over his first couple of years, I worked at honing in on the lifestyle and documentary side of photography with my son being the main subject. The business end fell to the back burner (still taking photography requests) during this time and while I had my second son. My editing style started changing as well as my storytelling and I think the best thing I did for my photography was to join Facebook communities and get on IG. I am still, mostly a momtographer, but my hope is to really start ramping up business as my kiddos get into school full time.

Tell us a bit about your style.

My photography style is lifestyle and documentary mostly, but I have my "I need to create a styled portrait" days. I love the way I am able to capture all of the moments in between and look back at those images to remember all of the things that my terrible memory will forget (or probably already did). I think this type of photography really helps capture the essence of a person and with tiny people who don't listen to their parents when they say "don't grow up," capturing those fleeting moments is a must. I love looking at our photo books and seeing how my oldest's love of cars has changed and developed and I love seeing my boys brotherhood grow and have it's ups and downs. I'm a bit biased, but I don't think there is another style quite like it.

What gear do you use?

I use a Nikon d750 and have a rotation of lenses. I use a 35mm 1.8, 105mm 2.8, 50mm 1.8 (for free-lensing) and a Lensbaby sol 45. That's about it, no flash or light from me. I edit, mostly, with Lightroom and will take my black and white edits into PS. I'm a pretty simple editor and don't do a lot of editing work.

What’s your go to lens and why?

I have two- is that allowed? I use my 35mm 1.8 for EVERYTHING. It's probably on my camera 85% of the time. I use it for all of my indoor shots and some of my outdoor. However, I use my 105mm 2.8 for a lot of my images outside when we are able to get out. I love the dreamy look of it and that blur isn't something I can achieve as well with my 35. So I think, even though, my 35 is on more, they fill in the gaps where the other one lacks.

Who and what inspires you?

I am constantly inspired by photographers on social media (Michelle McKay, Bri Viglianco, Jenn Bartel and Jess Buttermore to name a few), and I could get lost in their work for hours. But as far as what drives me to photograph, it's my kids. Yeah, yeah, it's cliche, but I photograph for them. Other than my boys, this is my legacy and I want them to always be able to remember their childhood because so many people forget the mundane moments. And those mundane moments are what really shape a person and help create the person they are. So little (and big) moments which make up our life together as a family are the main sources of inspiration.

What tips do you have for shooting for reflections?

Always look for the reflections with intention. Know you want to have a reflection picture and look for the best one. Water pictures are easiest because there isn't much searching and your subject will usually be in the puddle. But with these, put your focus on the reflection and play with crops and flipping the image in processing. Other reflections can be found on accident, but used with intention. Mirrors or countertops are the second most common places for a reflection shot. Once again, fairly easy to keep your subject within the reflection. Focus on the reflection again and play around with crops and composition. Last one would be to create your own reflection. You can do this by taking the case off of your phone or tablet and holding it up to the middle of your lens, hot dog style, with the reflective part facing up. Then play with moving it around until you get your reflection exactly where you'd like it.

What reflection image are you most proud of &/or love the most and why? There is a spot we always go for images that has a lake and a small dock. My boys love to throw rocks in the water and it's at least 30 mins worth of entertainment for them. I love the image when we went and it was foggy and I was able to get the tree reflection on the lake because it the painterly vibe it gave to the image. I thought it brought another level of interest and texture.