ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Chris Gutierrez

Written By luis aguilera

As we move through the season, we are spotlighting Chris Gutierrez, a photographer whose work sits at the intersection of nostalgia and forward motion. Chris has spent years shooting BMW vehicles in his professional life, but his personal practice is rooted in film. He carries the rhythm of someone who enjoys the slower, more intentional process of analog photography and the honesty that comes with it.

Outside of the camera, Chris explores a wide range of creative expressions from sketching and painting to graphic design, 3D modeling and even animations made on a Nintendo 3DS. His style comes from a genuine love for understanding the fundamentals, honoring the craft and blending past and future into something that feels timeless.

Chris Gutierrez
IG: @est1984inc

Who are you and what do you do? 

My name is Chris Gutierrez and I'm a photographer. In my professional life, I shoot digitally and for the past 5 years have been primarily shooting BMW vehicles. However, I do prefer to shoot on film for my personal creative endeavors.

If I'm going to a destination out of state, an interesting event or a location worth taking photos of, I will always choose and prioritize bringing a film setup over digital. 

Tell us about your work and what inspires your artistic style?

I've always had this love, respect and balance for things both of the future and the past. When it comes to the world of photography, I am old enough to have started shooting on film cameras in the 80's for family gatherings, progressing over the years and upgrading to more sophisticated digital cameras in the early 2000's to now.

In relation to things like drawing, sketching, and painting, I've always been into the more "analog" approach of using pencil, ink, marker, and paint applied to paper or canvas. Yet, I have utilized digital tools for aspects like graphic design, 3D modeling, and painting. Lately, I've actually been making mini animations with an old-school app on a Nintendo 3DS.

I think it's fundamentally important to understand how the basics of something work before using the advanced version of it. It helps not only build an appreciation for it over time, but also allows you to understand the simpler inner workings without the filler and gadgetry.

Dimensional

Is there any work you're particularly proud of or want to highlight?

That's always a hard choice to make, but after sifting through all my photos, sorting, categorizing, and ranking them, I was able to narrow it down to my favorites. This photo, named Dimensional, has always been one of my top picks.

I love the composition and the lighting, the framing and the space, the shapes and the angles. I was relieved, proud, and overjoyed when this photo was developed and turned out as such.

There are times when I shoot on film and worry about how the photo will turn out, but I don’t develop the film right away. Usually I wait several months, which actually helps me not think about it as much over time. It can be either a crushing disappointment or an overwhelming high depending on how the photos develop sometimes.

How has IMPRESO contributed to your journey as an artist? 

I love that IMPRESO gives me this feeling of chill security when running my print projects. Their commitment to completing jobs is amazing, but so is their attention to the details.

Are there any tips or advice you want to give other artists out there?

Make art for yourself, make what you like, make what you enjoy.

Follow Chris on the following platforms:

Website: https://est1984inc.com/

Instagram: @est1984inc

We’re grateful to share Chris’s work and process, and we can’t wait to keep highlighting more artists from our community. Stay tuned for the next Artist Spotlight!

luis aguilera

Luis Aguilera was born Caracas, Venezuela and then moved to Miami, Florida as a teenager. A street artist by nature, Aguilera has always been intrigued by the innovative ways that photography can capture a moment, especially shots near water. With the use of various DJI drones, Aguilera has been able to capture moments that were only available to those who had access to a helicopter. With his drone photography, Aguilera has been able to capture stunning photos of the oceans in different parts of the world. His series, “Thalassophile”, which means lover of the oceans, has explored the beaches of Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale in Florida as well as Ocho Rios, Jamaica. He’s also captured the exotic beaches in Waipo’o Valley, Waimea Beach, and Two Step in Hawaii. Mesmerized by the beachside scene and its ocean-adjacent atmosphere, this series focuses on the immensity and power of the ocean and how small people are in comparison. Capturing moments that feel authentic and true to the experience of being by the ocean, Aguilera’s series shows how no matter how different humans are, we are all captured the same 400 ft. in the air. The series also highlights how all people end up doing the same things when they see and interact with the water – whether that is sun bathing, lying in an inflatable tube, or enjoying the weather with friends, drinks and some food. The collectiveness of the aerial shots emphasize how people not only react to the ocean in similar ways, they also all love to do the same things at the beach. As Aguilera continues to focus on his drone photography and his “Thalassophile” series, he is looking to explore other regions as well. His next photos will be of the tulip fields and city of Amsterdam, Holland. He will also continue to explore the sands of Miami Beach and this summer the Caribbean beaches of the Dominican Republic. If you’re interested in working or collaborating with Luis Aguilera, please contact him at luisaguileraphoto@gmail.com.

 

http://www.luisaguilera.me
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