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.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place
where local businesses andneighbors come together.
Here's your host, Yuan.

Speaker 2 (00:08):
Godfrey, welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast.
Today we have the pleasure ofsharing Chris Arson of Chris
Arson Photography to ourlisteners.
Chris, how are you this morning?

Speaker 3 (00:23):
I'm great.
Thank you so much for having meon Yuan.

Speaker 2 (00:25):
Oh, we're excited to learn more about your service
and we just can't wait to hearthe details.
So, Chris, can you share withour listeners your company?

Speaker 3 (00:34):
Sure, I'm a full-time wedding photographer.
I came from San Francisco twoyears ago.
I now live in Melrose,massachusetts, which is just
north of Boston, and I serve theentire New England area, and I
also still work on the WestCoast.
So basically anywhere in theUnited States I'm available to

(00:56):
photograph weddings.

Speaker 2 (00:58):
How did you get into this business, Chris?

Speaker 3 (01:01):
I started about 12 years ago doing photography and
I actually started out shootingphotos with an iPhone and then
two years later I got asked todo a friend's wedding and it
went great, and I've been doingweddings full time for 10 years.

Speaker 2 (01:16):
Beautiful.
So what are some myths ormisconception that you have seen
in your industry?

Speaker 3 (01:24):
I think a big one is that wedding photography is
overpriced and a lot of peoplesee the photos and they don't
comprehend how much back-endwork is involved with scheduling
planning.
It's very logistical, it's notjust taking photos to ensure

(01:44):
that a couple's wedding goesaccording to plan, stays on time
and they have a wonderfulexperience throughout the day
without any stress.
It's very, very involved andit's not just taking photos.

Speaker 2 (02:00):
Okay, and outside of work, chris, what do you do for
fun?

Speaker 3 (02:05):
I like to hike a lot, I camp a lot, I snowboard.
I just got into backcountryskiing and hanging out with my
family and my dog is my favoritetime.

Speaker 2 (02:15):
Love it is my favorite time.
Love it.
So changing gears.
Chris, can you describe onehardship or one of life's
challenge that you rose aboveand can now say because of it
you're better and stronger?
What comes to your mind?

Speaker 3 (02:28):
I think that was moving my business across
country two years ago.
I'm originally from SanFrancisco.
I've shot weddings from alaskadown to mexico, all along the
west coast, and I have a goodreputation out there.
But moving to the other side ofthe country definitely was the
hurdle and through targetedmarketing, a lot of networking

(02:49):
with amazing photographers andplanners on the east coast, I
was able to hit the groundrunning and my business is
thriving already out here and Ilook forward to a bright future
out here in New England.

Speaker 2 (03:02):
Beautiful.
We're happy to hear that.
So, chris, please tell ourlisteners one thing they should
remember about Chris ArsonPhotography.

Speaker 3 (03:11):
I would say it's that I'm the business owner.
When you contact me, you get me.
It's not one of these umbrellacompanies that hire novice
photographers who may have onlyshot two weddings and you don't
know who your photographer isuntil a week out.
When someone hires me, I workhand in hand.
I love to go grab coffee forthe first meeting.

(03:35):
Those are totally free, just tomake sure we all are on the
same vibe and we want the sameoutcome.
And if you have small requests,like this time of year, I get a
lot of holiday card requests forweddings that I might not be
finished editing in time and Iabsolutely do stuff like that.
And that's the joy of being theowner is that I have the

(03:56):
freedom to fulfill any requestsyou might have, whereas the
bigger umbrella companies you'regoing through almost a tech
person that doesn't even knowthe photographer and it's more
big business corporation thanyou want to deal with on your
wedding.
On your wedding, you want todeal with the person who's
handling everything and that'skind of the shining quality of

(04:17):
hiring a small business likemyself.

Speaker 2 (04:22):
So, chris, how can our listeners learn more about
your business?
Do you have a website?

Speaker 3 (04:35):
Do you have an email address?
Yeah, absolutelycom.
My email ischrisarsonphotography at
gmailcom.
Social on Instagram is atchrisarsonphotography, Same on
Facebook and you can check meout on zolacom.
Z-o-l-acom.
That's a great place wherecouples can plan their entire
wedding.
Gnpnorthshorelacom.

(04:55):
That's a great place wherecouples can plan their entire
wedding.

Speaker 2 (04:59):
Beautiful, beautiful Chris, we really appreciate you
being on the show with us today.
We wish you and your businessgoing forward all the very best.

Speaker 3 (05:11):
Thank you so much.
It's a pleasure.

Speaker 2 (05:13):
Thank you.

Speaker 1 (05:17):
Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor
Podcast.
To nominate your favorite localbusinesses to be featured on
the show, go to GNPNorthshorecom.
That's GNPNorthshorecom, orcall 857-703-9406.
Thank you.