Capturing Chromat | Q+A with Photographer Christine Hahn
We fell in love with Christine's photography after she shot incredible behind-the-scenes images at the Chromat AW14 Runway Show at Milk Made. Christine's crisp, vivid imagery has carved out a space for her in the world of fashion photography and her sharp eye is adept in creating a lush visual landscape for viewers.
You're one of the few female, Korean-American fashion photographers in the field. Who did you look up to when you started your career?
I was blessed to have Steven Silverstein as one of my first mentors. Silverstein assisted Guy Bourdin and Sarah Moon. It still resonates and inspires me till this day.
How does your background and relationship with the west coast influence your work?
I love using natural light and or mimicking natural light, I think the light is prettier and more diverse on the west coast. In Santa Barbara there’s perfect blue skies “Sunny 16” and where I’m from in Washington State it’s very pretty overcast light. I live for that Twin Peaks and X Files light + vibes~
How would you explain your point of view as an artist and how did you develop your signature style?
Developing my perspective has been a lot of dedication, persistence, discipline, and humility. Most of my friends growing up were quite creative and till this day they influence my point of view!
Do you dabble in other genres of photography/creative platforms?
Making a reel this year!
The Sprinter Sleeve Top and Double Stripe Running Pant
Is it a challenge having to balance between meeting a client's needs and maintaining artistic integrity?
Absolutely! It can be a compromise though collaborating can be an amazing opportunity to push ones boundaries.
You've put in several years and a lot of hard work to get to where you are in your career. Was there a turning point for you in which you decided to go hard or go home? Or have you always been going hard?
Yes hard baby! No otha way!! Go big or go home! Also what my Tinder profile says.
What has been your favorite project you've worked on so far and why?
It’s impossible to choose just one project so I’ll share one of my favorite shoots of 2015. I shot a series of portraits for The Coven Mag, one subject was JD Samson of Le Tigre. I’m still a huge fan of Le Tigre (in high school I snuck out to see them live). Another subject was AmyCakes who is one of my favorite subjects. I was literally crying behind the camera from laughing so hard and had to stop to wipe tears off my face.
The Neoprene Cutout Top and Half Radial Column Skirt
Whats your dream project?
Pirelli Calendar. I have a lot of dream projects. I’d love to shoot Tilda Swinton, Bjork, Carmen Dell'Orefice, Veruschka, and to continue collaborating with great teams, artists, and designers.
What are you currently inspired by?
Robert Durst. Just kidding!! I’ve been obsessed with Teena Marie.. She is so underrated... She is so damn feisty, and has true fervor and tenacity!
How has your experience been like working with Chromat?
Amazing, fun, inspirational, empowering..it’s incredible to work with young women who are equally as passionate and hardworking. It’s also awesome to join forces with a wide range of artists (Max Wittert, Rodan Tekle, Kyunghee Jwa and many thanks to Alex Strohmeier).
What is your favorite Chromat piece and why?
I’m a HUGE Paco Rabanne fan as well as the film “Who Are You, Polly Magoo?” so I love all the metal pieces from the AW14 collection. I also love the ‘original’ cages from the AW13 collection, to me it’s quintessential Chromat, and I’m a sucker for anything referential to 1960s futurism!
