Chris Fanning grew up all over America.
Well, he mostly grew up splitting his time between California with his dad, and Florida with his mom, although he would relish telling casual passers-by that he lived with his grandparents in their traveling motor home.

Chris discovered photography as he spent endless summers travelling the length and breadth of America where his sense of adventure and story telling were nurtured by his grandparents and the interesting characters they met along the way. His father, also a major influence in Chris’s photography, (he was a member of the air force film crew during the Vietnam War) was extremely instrumental in encouraging his new found talent when he gave him his first camera: a twin lens Rolliflex and an old light meter. "That twin lens is still one of my favorite cameras!"

Photography started off as a hobby and turned into a business in college. Chris’s first shoots took place in Miami in the early 90’s during the heyday of South Beach. "I took pictures of everyone - models, musicians, surfers, skaters. It was here that I started utilizing people's talents in a set up shoot. I would ask people to do what they do naturally. I could be precise with the setup, but let people play and do their thing as I moved around them. The challenge is to make the models look natural and not perform... and to allow the real people to feel comfortable. When this happens, I can get the moment or the action - the slice of life that I want everyone to relate to."

Trading the beach for the urban jungle, Chris moved to New York in 1997, where he started assisting and pounding the pavement. By 1999 he was chosen to participate in the group show “Masterminds of Mode” - as part of the Tokyo Fashion Festival. Never stopping, Chris soon started working with major editorial clients such as Allure,Glamour and GQ. The campaigns soon followed.

Chris has worked with many of todays top personalities & athletes and regularly contributes to lifestyle & fashion magazines. He has shot campaigns for major household brands, pharmaceutical companies, cruise lines, hotels and fashion brands.

"There is no job too big or too small. I pay attention to every detail and enjoy the process from the beginning to the end. It's always nice to finish a job well done, but I'd be happy to shoot forever."

Chris still calls New York City home. "I love everything about the big city, however, it's great to get away and see the rest of the country - I love hanging out and working with all kinds of people.... I have to say tho - there's something very special about coming back to the Big Apple." He is married to Frances Janisch, a sought after food photographer. Together they have an amazing 5 year old daughter.

For more on Chris - Please take a look at the LIfestyle portfolio in the Personal section of this site !