A smith grind kinda moment...
Active Rideshop, is my hometown spot and stomping grounds to meet some of the up and comers, caught up with photographer Brian Caissie and asked him a few questions about what the life of a Professional Skateboarding Photographer a while back. I thought it would be a neat little piece to display this week. If you have a second to peruse Project Trident, you better go check out Brian’s website as well www.briancaissie.com
Brian on how he got started and where he hails from. I’m from Halifax Nova Scotia, the East Coast of Canada. I’ve been skating and into videos and magazines since I was a kid. I was never really that good though. I was always drawing and doing art so when I got injured I would always just end up capturing my friends with cameras. It was easy and fun because they were really good. I started filming first then leaned more into photography, I still do both though. There’s a time and place for each.
He has some sick footy tagged to his name, so obviously we’re all curious about his equipment. My equipment varies a lot. When the shot needs it I like to have the right machine to capture it just right , you know? I have a nikon digi, hasselblad X-Pan, Hasselblad medium format kit, and a 4×5 rail camera. And the normal flashes and other stuff to weigh me down on the road.
A tough question for anyone, but especially a professional photographer…Brian was asked what he considers his best moment? Whoa, that’s a deep one considering that’s all I do in life. I always have my camera with me. I’d have to say any over seas trips with good friends. Argentina was great. Also I had a great time on the Flip tour this year. Just meeting Tom Penny and hanging out with those guys was great.
Every photographer has their dream model, skater, building, scenario, etc…what is Brian’s?? There are so many right now, but anyone who is just happy to be skating and full of ideas. I enjoy shooting with Chris Haslam a lot, he’s always got cool spots and different tricks on his mind. Magnus Hanson and the Decenzo brothers I shoot with the most. They can skate for ten hours a day and they never complain about the lack of spots, they just skate.
Inspiration is key, you can’t be fake with anything or people see right through you. But we all can take inspiration from others and utlize it. This is what inspires Mr. Caissie. I like photographers that when I see a photo I can tell who shot it. Just something a little different in the way they handle things. For skating I like Gaberman, Mike Omeally and Bartok are great! I look at a lot of fashion photographers too, they are the best! Patrick Demarchelier, David Lachapelle, Rankin, Platon, Norman Jean Roy, Robert Maxwell, David Bailey, there’s too many to name. Art shouldn’t be rushed.
Last Words? Every human endeavor, however singular it seems, involves the whole human race – Jean-Paul Sarte.
