Good Neighbor Podcast: North Shore
Bringing together local businesses and neighbors of North Shore
Good Neighbor Podcast: North Shore
EP #71 - From iPhone to I Do's: The Journey of Chris Arson Photography
Chris Arson unveils the artistry and effort behind wedding photography, proving it's far more than just clicking a button. From shooting with an iPhone to building a full-time career on both coasts, his 12-year journey highlights the extensive planning and coordination that ensure seamless wedding days. Through candid insights, he dispels pricing misconceptions and emphasizes that successful photography involves intricate logistics, not just beautiful images.
What sets Chris apart is his highly personal approach. Unlike large firms that assign photographers, Chris works directly with couples, offering coffee meetings to align visions and accommodate unique requests. His resilience in relocating from the West Coast to New England underscores his commitment to connection, making him more than just a photographer—he’s a trusted partner in capturing unforgettable moments. Connect with him at chrisarsonphotography.com or on social media @chrisarsonphotography to experience the difference.
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Yuan.
Speaker 2:Godfrey, welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast. Today we have the pleasure of sharing Chris Arson of Chris Arson Photography to our listeners. Chris, how are you this morning?
Speaker 3:I'm great. Thank you so much for having me on Yuan.
Speaker 2:Oh, we're excited to learn more about your service and we just can't wait to hear the details. So, Chris, can you share with our listeners your company?
Speaker 3:Sure, I'm a full-time wedding photographer. I came from San Francisco two years ago. I now live in Melrose, massachusetts, which is just north of Boston, and I serve the entire New England area, and I also still work on the West Coast. So basically anywhere in the United States I'm available to photograph weddings.
Speaker 2:How did you get into this business, Chris?
Speaker 3:I started about 12 years ago doing photography and I actually started out shooting photos with an iPhone and then two years later I got asked to do a friend's wedding and it went great, and I've been doing weddings full time for 10 years.
Speaker 2:Beautiful. So what are some myths or misconception that you have seen in your industry?
Speaker 3:I think a big one is that wedding photography is overpriced and a lot of people see the photos and they don't comprehend how much back-end work is involved with scheduling planning. It's very logistical, it's not just taking photos to ensure that a couple's wedding goes according to plan, stays on time and they have a wonderful experience throughout the day without any stress. It's very, very involved and it's not just taking photos.
Speaker 2:Okay, and outside of work, chris, what do you do for fun?
Speaker 3:I like to hike a lot, I camp a lot, I snowboard. I just got into backcountry skiing and hanging out with my family and my dog is my favorite time.
Speaker 2:Love it is my favorite time. Love it. So changing gears. Chris, can you describe one hardship or one of life's challenge that you rose above and can now say because of it you're better and stronger? What comes to your mind?
Speaker 3:I think that was moving my business across country two years ago. I'm originally from San Francisco. I've shot weddings from alaska down to mexico, all along the west coast, and I have a good reputation out there. But moving to the other side of the country definitely was the hurdle and through targeted marketing, a lot of networking with amazing photographers and planners on the east coast, I was able to hit the ground running and my business is thriving already out here and I look forward to a bright future out here in New England.
Speaker 2:Beautiful. We're happy to hear that. So, chris, please tell our listeners one thing they should remember about Chris Arson Photography.
Speaker 3:I would say it's that I'm the business owner. When you contact me, you get me. It's not one of these umbrella companies that hire novice photographers who may have only shot two weddings and you don't know who your photographer is until a week out. When someone hires me, I work hand in hand. I love to go grab coffee for the first meeting. Those are totally free, just to make sure we all are on the same vibe and we want the same outcome.
Speaker 3:And if you have small requests, like this time of year, I get a lot of holiday card requests for weddings that I might not be finished editing in time and I absolutely do stuff like that. And that's the joy of being the owner is that I have the freedom to fulfill any requests you might have, whereas the bigger umbrella companies you're going through almost a tech person that doesn't even know the photographer and it's more big business corporation than you want to deal with on your wedding. On your wedding, you want to deal with the person who's handling everything and that's kind of the shining quality of hiring a small business like myself.
Speaker 2:So, chris, how can our listeners learn more about your business? Do you have a website?
Speaker 3:Do you have an email address? Yeah, absolutelycom. My email is chrisarsonphotography at gmailcom. Social on Instagram is at chrisarsonphotography, Same on Facebook and you can check me out on zolacom. Z-o-l-acom. That's a great place where couples can plan their entire wedding. Gnpnorthshorelacom. That's a great place where couples can plan their entire wedding.
Speaker 2:Beautiful, beautiful Chris, we really appreciate you being on the show with us today. We wish you and your business going forward all the very best.
Speaker 3:Thank you so much. It's a pleasure.
Speaker 2:Thank you.
Speaker 1:Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to GNPNorthshorecom. That's GNPNorthshorecom, or call 857-703-9406. Thank you.