CHRISTOPHER TESTANI
Chris was born and raised in upstate New York and studied Cinema & Photography at Ithaca College. Being an outdoor enthusiast and an avid cook, Chris grew up fishing and camping and traveling the world. His work draws inspiration from the things he loves - good food, great people, rich locations and the stories that bring them all together.
His career has included a variety of experiences and years of paying dues. “I worked as an assistant in nearly every genre of photography out there and learned from them all. In general, I try not to adhere too much to one particular style or look. I like to use both natural and artificial lighting, sometimes mixing both, when necessary. In general, I’m trying to take into account all the elements in place—the art direction, the props, the food, recipes, etc.—and then I try to figure out how lighting can create that mood that brings it all together.
In 2012, he was selected as one of PDN magazine's 30 photographers to watch, and he has gone on to work regularly for a wide range of top editorial and commercial clients around the globe. “My current assignments are generally focused in the culinary world—particular locations, restaurants, chefs, and still-life food. It feels like a natural fit.”
Chris currently lives in Brooklyn, NY, with his wife, prop stylist, Carla Gonzalez-Hart. He has a new kitchen studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn that is put to use for assignments and personal projects. He can regularly be found shooting in his studio, traveling wherever the job takes him or daydreaming about that perfect remote cabin in the woods.
His clients include Johnsonville, Copenhagen, Walmart, Campbell’s - Swanson’s, Cracker Barrel, Havas, Crispin Porter, Leo Burnett, Droga5, BBDO, Publicis- Kaplan Thaler, AMC Networks, BMW, Bon Appetit, Conde Nast Traveler, Cooking Light, Cosmopolitan, Country Living, Esquire, Everyday with Rachel Ray, Ford Motors, Toyota, InStyle, Macallan, Rolex, Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple, Splenda, Travel + Leisure, Women's Health & Whole Foods.