The Who and the Why: About Christopher Barrett

As a Chicago-based photographer, I’ve been documenting architecture for over thirty years. I learned the craft at Hedrich Blessing, home to some of the most talented architectural photographers in the business, where I assisted for three years before spending fourteen more photographing for the studio. Along the way, I earned my BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

In 2008, I opened my own studio and have continued shooting buildings, interiors, and furniture in both stills and motion. As an FAA-certified Part 107 remote pilot, I love the additional perspectives that a drone can add to a project. Along with photographing countless award-winning projects over the years, I have won five Architecture MasterPrize awards for the photographs themselves.

I find this work extremely satisfying in that composing architecture allows me to make more refined and thoughtful images than I think most other subject matters would allow. When people realize what goes into perfecting the photographs, their reaction always reflects the same amazement. I love that.

Growing up with a strong interest in the arts and literature, I was always intrigued by image-making. Photography lured me from painting early on… I think it was the gadgets. Photographers need lots of gadgets. These days I enjoy passing along what I’ve learned, and have given lectures at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Southern Illinois University, University of Wisconsin, and Roosevelt University. I am always happy to take the time and enjoy speaking with students of architecture and photography alike.

Christopher Barrett Photography is based in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood, in a 1,250-square-foot studio carved out of an early 20th-century industrial loft. The space was designed by ParkFowler Plus and received a 2019 AIA Chicago Interior Architecture Award. It houses our post-production as well as an ample shooting space for product and personal work. Much of that personal work is developed in a state-of-the-art darkroom, which is easily my favorite part of the studio.