Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Kolb.
Hi Chris, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have been drawn to photography since I was a young kid. I always wanted to be a documentary film maker. When I was 10 or 11 my parents bought me a Minolta x-370 (which I still have). I would photograph mainly surfing and skateboarding pictures. I guess that started my love of shooting live action vs. posed photos. In 2012 I started a journey into sobriety. I began going out all the time to see live music. I had a lot of friends that played in the local music scene, so as a hobby I started to bring my camera out to photograph them. When I look back the photos were not that good, but it was a creative outlet that I was desperately seeking. That, combined with my love for live music, was very therapeutic. Overtime through trial and error I start to find my style and my love for concert photography became a passion. Now I am probably photographing hundreds of acts every year. I still love shooting surfing photos durning a good hurricane swell. I believe that photography is stopping a moment in time to create a portal to a memory.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
To be a freelance photographer in the live music scene is not easy. You can have many road blocks like difficulty getting a media pass, the lighting is sometimes really difficult, lots of moving around in the dark, your equipment takes a beating, contracts to sign, a good amount of beer spilled on you, the band’s tour photographer doesn’t always want you there, lots of other freelance photographers fighting for your spot, limited access. You have to be nimble and ready for change at any moment. The best live music photographers stay mostly invisible. You are there simply to document. The most important people are the fans, then the band. My number one rule is that you never get in the way of someone who paid good money to see their favorite artist.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I consider myself a freelance concert photographer. I work mainly in Charleston and shoot at various venues around town. I’ve been photographing at The Refinery since they open in 2022. I’ve photographed at Firefly since they opened in 2020. Rob Lamble (Ear for Music) launched Safe Sounds during the Pandemic where you could buy your own square to watch live music. Those were interesting times for concert photographers. I was glad to be out in some capacity as everything was shutting down. I ltry to stay humble, try to be kind to up and coming photographers, follow the rules, and most importantly have fun while meeting amazing people.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I have been sober since 2012 but continue to work in the alcohol business in my full time job. People say to me “I’m not sure how you work in the alcohol business while being sober?” I always answer ” I don’t know how I worked in it while I was drinking?” It’s better to not take yourself too seriously. I don’t have any issue being around people drinking, I just realized that it didn’t work for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Kolbimedia.com
- Instagram: @Kolbimedia
- Facebook: Kolbi Media
