Meet Curtis Baker | Motion Picture Stills Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Curtis Baker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Curtis, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
My career in the film industry has had tons of ups and downs. Like any artistic freelance career, you face challenges of all types from financial decisions, mental hardships and beyond. My advice to new photographer, or any artist attempting to make a job from their passion, is to keep a goal in mind, “Eyes on the Prize” if you will. I have a personal goal that I think about anytime business gets slow or a certain job is extremely tough. Giving up just isn’t an option in my mind.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My position as an on-set photographers has a few different jobs within the classification. Mainly, I’m on set with the actors and crew documenting the making of the show or movie throughout each day. I shoot the scenes while the cameras are rolling, and behind the scenes after the camera cuts. My eyes are constantly scanning the set, looking for any opportunity that I feel would make a good photo. I’m shooting with the objective of capturing the best frame that tells a small story of what each scene might entail or even a shot that encapsulates the main idea or theme of the entire movie or show. Sometime we just photoshoots for photos used by the props or set decorating departments, to use in a set on camera. For example, anytime you see family photos on a mantle or desk, or maybe mugshots or crime scene photos in a court room scene.
For some projects I’ll have a larger shoot with hair, makeup and costumes, to make the Key Art for a poster or any time of promotional advertising.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I grew up in Atlanta, and love being home or outside running, but when i do go out socially, you can usually find me at a coffeeshop on the east side of town. Nothing better then being with friends with their cameras and COFFEE. Im a fan of the Chattahoochee Works food hall on the westside for beers and food. Atlanta is full of history and art and good food. Plan a visit to the High Museum of Art or the Atlanta History Center. Sometimes I’ll take MARTA downtown with friends with cameras to shoot the city and its people. Peachtree Road through the city has lots to show you.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There’s too many people to mention if I were to thank everyone who played a roll in helping me get to where i am today. There are multiple photographers that taught me essential skills, opened my eyes to the craft, (on-set and other types.) My family has always encouraged me to get after the work life i wanted especially my wife Angela, who has been there when business got started and when things got slow during covid or any other slows times in the film industry.

Website: www.curtisbaker.com

Instagram: @curtyphotog

Image Credits
Curtis Bonds Baker