The Models Club
Feature Photographer
    Name: Martin Christie  
    Based: Brighton, East Sussex  
    Style:   Commercial, Portrait, Beauty & Glamour  
    Status: Professional  
    Experience:   20 years, photography and graphic design  
    Format: Digital and 35mm  
    Camera:   Nikon  
    Portfolios:   Yes  
    Paid work:   Yes  
    Tests:   Yes  
    TFP:   Maybe  
    Film:   Brazil (Terry Gillam fantasy)  
    Author:   Raymond Chandler (The Big Sleep etc)  
    Destination:   Provence  
 
 
  How did you get into photography?      
         
  I started as a hobby when I was a student, taking pictures of friends      
  and learning to process my own film in the bathroom, that sort of      
  thing, making lots of mistakes.      
         
         
      Do you have fond memories for your first camera?  
         
      The first one I really remember was a Zenit E, which was an old  
      russian made 35mm, very cheap and built like a tank. the wind on  
      mechanism would tear the film in half. My first pro camera was a  
      second hand Nikon F I acquired from a sports photographer. I was  
      doing a lot of motorsports at the time, and it seemed the best choice.  
  A lot of your work is with new models, where do you find them?      
         
  Behind bars usually! Barmaids are often students or looking for      
  temp work, and if they can be attractive, personable and reliable      
  putting up with the stress and abuse of pub work, modelling will be a      
  doddle. I also like to get to know them and vice versa before I even      
  mention photography, which makes the initial approach easier.      
      I can't not mention Francesca, :o) was she a Christie discovery?  
         
      No she was a models club posting. I liked the look of her and  
      emailed her not really expecting an answer because I was only able  
      to offer her a test shoot rather than paid work at first. I think the  
      offer of a 4x4 lesson swung it more than my photography !  
         
  Have you always photographed girls?    
       
  Well I like girls, that's important. I'd always shot a few for fun. I'd    
  spent most of my time trying to catch bikes and cars going at 100    
  mph in the rain & generally dashing around europe and the states to    
  meet deadlines, the prospect of a nice cosy studio & an attractive    
  model happy to shed most of her clothes seemed like a better idea!    
      How did your first model shoot go, nervous at all?  
         
      Actually it was really easy because I'd sat in on some shoots with
 
      other professionals who specialised in studio work, and showed me  
      the ropes technically. I just naturally find it easy working with new  
      models, most models want to be there, and want to perform, you just  
      have to coax the best out of them.  
  Now you shoot digital ?    
       
  Yes, I still keep my old Nikons in the cupboard for special occasions
   
  but it's so much easier shooting digital, especially for web use, but    
  also for magazine adverts and brochures. It's good for the models    
  too, because they can get the feedback of seeing how they look, and    
  that always boosts their confidence.    
 
 
 
All images are the copyright of Martin Christie
  
 
 
 
links
  
   
 
 
 
 
Past Feature Photographers
  
 
Past Feature Photographers
  
website designed by Nick
best viewed @ 1024 x 768 and in 24 bit colour
email Nick@themodelsclub.co.uk