Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Lee Herod.
Hi Christopher Lee. Thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Once upon a time, I was on active duty in the Marine Corps, where I was an Avionics Technician, Quality Assurance Representative, and Aerial Observer (Door Gunner) on CH-53 helicopters. After my 10-year career and having completed 6 deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, I shortly worked in civilian aviation until deciding to go to college. I was initially studying mechanical engineering until I had to take a fine art elective which resulted in changing my degree to Theatre-Acting/Directing.
I found myself learning cameras, film, and photography between acting and teaching gigs. Having a background as an electrician, when not acting, I first found myself working a lot in Grip and Electrics (G&E). I learned a lot about lighting and was able to witness techniques that I now use. A few years later, a friend needed a hand pulling focus, and I found a passion for the camera department and ultimately made the switch out of G&E and into camera mainly as a 1AC or Cam Op. I moved back to the Nashville area in August of 2019, just before the pandemic, and since a lot of my film work had been canceled, I traded one of my Sony A7Sii cameras for a Sony A7R and started a hobby of photography. I didn’t consider taking it seriously until a Marine veteran friend, Zac Jenkins, asked me to be the event photographer for the Irreverent Warriors Silkies Hike Nashville and the feedback from the photos I took.
I’d say nothing in this line of work is necessarily smooth. One of the biggest challenges was the shutdown and pandemic, canceling a lot of work I had booked for 2020 as well as I was still technically new to the area which presents itself with the challenges of being the unknown guy in the area having to start all over in an area that already has a ton of talented people in the industry already well connected. That’s made it challenging to do projects with people and at certain places of interest until recently. Other than that, cameras and lenses are not cheap. Building a nice kit piece by piece has been my path. I’m currently rocking an arsenal of Sony cameras (Sony FS7, Sony A7Sii, Sony A7R) that are not the most expensive but certainly not cheap. Each accessory improves and increases workflow hits the wallet. The money I make from my paid gigs, film, and such, goes right back into more camera equipment so I can better serve others.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Oh my. What do I do? I do a lot, and that’s not a know-it-all type; I want to be on as many projects as possible and away from my house. Working in multiple areas and having a very diverse working background has allowed me to be on more productions. For one project, you’ll see me as a first assistant camera, another as a camera operator, directing here and there, acting, then another day as a photographer. That said, I love to work with new people as often as possible.
There are so many great artists in each area that I try to absorb what I can when working with new people to be a more well-rounded (holistic) filmmaker and photographer. I’d say I’m known as the guy that can wear many different hats, I’m most proud of what I think may set me apart from many, not all, artists in this field are my veteran work. I’m blessed to be in a position where I can network with veterans turned artists (actors, musicians, etc.) or those working towards becoming artists and offer them photography, videography, etc., without charging them. That said, I’m always looking for veterans in need of photography or videography services.
What are your plans for the future?
I’d like to stay the course of where I’m going. It’s very nice meeting new people and working with some fascinating people on each different type of project that I’m very content with what’s happening. If anything, I’d love to open an office and studio space where veterans or dependents can come in and just play with cameras and learn them in a controlled and safe environment. I want to be able to help other veterans who may be interested in film and photography and even act as a way to step outside of their homes as a way of therapy, just as I have.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.christopherleeherod.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caughtredcandidphotography
- Other: https://linktr.ee/CaughtRedCandid
