Chris Marksbury Biography

  In the earliest part of my life I was constantly surrounded by music and photography. These two forms of art were always very important in my life. They were always connected.

  My very first exposure to photography [no pun intended] was my father photographing my brother and I constantly. I recall the old light meter, the twin lens reflex camera, an old Argus, a Kodak, a Nikon. I remember slide film, negatives, projectors, black and white prints and there was always music playing in the background. It was way back then that my bond with music and photography had been forged.

  I can recall one night watching The Beatles on Ed Sullivan and the world was different from then on. My neighbors had a band - they were a few years older but would let me listen to them rehearse. I would sit intently, intrigued. One day one of them put a guitar in my hands. Years later my father lent me his Nikon and gave me three rolls of film when I was in my early teens. The very next day I gave him the film back - I had shot it all. I was hooked - there was the music, the photography. It all made sense.

  I then joined some friends who had a band which played regularly in a club in N.Y. state. I had written a couple songs that people seemed to enjoy so I would drive down in the middle of the night to play these two songs. When I was done playing I would photograph the band and the crowd. Creating images and music. I couldn't go anywhere without the camera and when I got to where I was headed, I heard a song. I had a band for years, The Metros, who were successful playing the prestigious Bottom Line, CBGB's and Max's Kansas City in New York City, developing a very loyal following, constantly playing New Jersey clubs and colleges and I continued carrying around my Dad's old Nikon. I played guitar and sang in that band, played drums on a few songs when the drummer would come out front to sing. I have always played drums here and there [even as the drummer in a local band Square One with local singer/songwriter/guitarist Peter 'Zest ' Marks] It has helped me a lot in producing music in the studio - having a sense for various techniques, beats and tempos. Programming drum machines and working with drum loops today having that knowledge of drumming is invaluable.

  Discouraged with the direction the band was heading [I preferred writing songs and recording] I decided to move on. I figured that the obvious thing to do would be to pursue a career in photography. I started working with a portrait company and realizing all the mistakes they made and the faults they had I tried my hand at my own business in 1984. I got a job with some of the local newspapers, got some business cards made up and started CM Photos. A goodhearted photographer, Al Pagano who worked at The Record Newspaper at the time invited me to join him one day on his assignments. That day he was scheduled to photograph a farm in South Jersey and a fashion show for Michael Kors in N.Y.C. It was very educational and motivating. Master fine art photographer Melchior DiGiacomo also helped guid me by taking me into New York City galleries and once on a photo shoot for Newsweek. I was learning. Mel hooked me up to shoot a few tournaments for Tennis Week Magazine, one in The Bahamas on Paradise Island. This friendship led to a shoot with Bill Cosby and Dan Rather which then led to a photo in People Magazine. It was an inspiring time for me.

  A mutual friend, Bill Becker, allowed me use of his darkroom and showed me how to attempt to get the most of my B&W negatives and also exposed me to Irish music [Bill plays it all day long in the darkroom and you either listen or get out !] It was something fresh and new to me and I grew to really appreciate select artists. I would seek out these CDs for my ever growing collection. So there it was again - photography and music.

  I realize now that the generosity of experienced and talented people is so important in developing the minds and capabilities of fresh and eager rookies. To spread around the insight and knowledge that you have gained is so important to all of us carrying on and doing valid, meaningful work. Whether it be art, music, photography or whatever our occupation. It must be learned from someone, somewhere. There are those that are merely adequate and those that shine !! I believe there is inherent talent in most of us and we can help it grow or let it die. I was lucky to have talented people help me along the way and truly appreciate them all.

  As the years went by I photographed more and more weddings, parties and ceremonious events learning from each experience and from all my customers. I realized that the way I worked was very conducive to these types of events. I tried not to take away from my client's enjoyment of their special day but to rather capture them enjoying themselves. I learned more about portraiture, capturing something special about each subject, always trying to do just a little more than the noticeable and to give something more than is required. I constantly strive to grow. My philosophy is that each job I do, no matter how big or small is a perfect opportunity to continue the learning process. Whether it is music or photography-related there is something to learn every day from everyone and everything that comes my way. It all started with a song and then an image..... Now with the advent of digital photography and digital sound recording we have brand new creative tools to help us all realize our dreams. Let's dream on...