| |
 |
| © Christopher McLallen |
| click photo to launch gallery |
Age: 34
Based in: New York City
Has assisted for: Chris Callis, Michael O’Neill, Bruce Weber, Albert Watson, Mary Ellen Mark, Platon, Robert Maxwell
Nominated by: Matthew Rolston
Website: www.eyemotor.com
You could take a look at Christopher McLallen’s résumé and wonder if there is a big-name photographer he has not worked with. Originally from Detroit, McLallen studied cinematography at the University of Denver, then moved back to his hometown to study photography at the College for Creative Studies. After an internship at a local studio, he moved to New York in 1995 and "began assisting every photographer I’d ever dreamed of meeting."
At one point he put together a book of his own work, but, he says, "it turns out I didn’t know as much as I thought I did." He ended up assisting again, this time with celebrated editorial photographer Michael O’Neill, who became a mentor. "I’ve always wanted to be around photographers who were encouraging," says McLallen. "I didn’t want to spend my time with the ones who are always negative and complaining about the industry." Now branching out again, McLallen recently shot his first commercial assignment (a job for Kraft Nabisco). "You have to be careful to absorb wisdom from the people you work with," he says, "but not to imitate them when you go out on your own. That can be a difficult lesson."
|
