A MILLION SMILES AND COUNTING
To the grateful attendees of Creation's SPN (and more) conventions, Chris Schmelke is more than a photographer - he’s a collector of our happiest moments, turning fleeting fandom encounters into lasting memories to take away.
As Supernatural approaches its 20th anniversary, we look back on a million smiles and counting.
First off, congratulations on the TV Guide covers! I wondered whether you can talk a little about that experience. How did that come about?
First off from me, love you guys and everything you do for the fandom.
Lynn from Creation brought up the idea that TV Guide had planned a retrospective issue on SPN and they wanted me to shoot the cover. Happened quickly, and we had marked a small amount of time during the NJ show to shoot it. I had 2 setups that could be quickly used by just switching one set of lights.. Many shots have yet to be seen, so hopefully that changes soon!
Something that newer con-goers might not know is that you are the longest serving member of the Creation Entertainment Supernatural con team – you’ve attended more shows than any of the cast, even. What keeps you passionate about these events, and this cast, after all these years?
I say it often, but it isn’t one specific thing that makes SPN shows as special as they are. The collective of it all is what makes them magical. My relationship with the actors, fans, Shelley & the staff will never happen again for me.
There are moments during every show, when the music is playing, the staff is dancing to music and fans are smiling like they received the greatest birthday present ever. That would never get old and if it does, I shouldn’t be doing it.
Side note, it never gets old.
And how did you get involved with convention photography to start with?
After my band broke up, I started doing photos for friends’ bands in NYC in the early 2000’s.That led into covering the Independent Music awards for 5 years which entailed portraits of the bands for online articles. That led me into looking into better lighting for portraits.
Around 2004, I started doing photos at Creation shows on the East Coast. Based on feedback from fans, Creation had me take over all photos for all of their shows.
My experience with lighting portraits took off from there.
I had always approached it as portrait sessions as opposed to having someone screaming “next” which kills the magic of what it could be. It could be the most hellish experience of the weekend. The atmosphere is what I would want it to be.
A celebration to be whoever you want and in that short period of time, not worrying about anything. That short moment should be treated with love and care.
I cannot leave my mother out as well. She started working for Creation in the 80’s. I started working in their comic book store when I was 16. That was how far back I go with Adam and Gary from Creation. That was the start.
Anyone who’s attended cons, and had photo ops will confirm that there is a very special energy in your studio, versus other events’ photo rooms, fans walk in terrified and are bopping along to your tunes by the time they reach the front of the line. Do you curate the playlists yourself, and are they tailored to the cast member in the studio at that time, or to your whim at that moment? What makes a tune good to shoot to?
Being that no one is screaming next, the music is key to everything. It dictates the tempo.
My playlists have grown over the years into thousands of songs and yes, they are sometimes geared towards the talent in the room.
Some are more eclectic. I used to make mixtapes for friends and it’s just a different version of that. It’s a fine list of what works and some songs last one time and are deleted as it doesn’t “hit" like it should.
You’ve shot thousands of fans over the years, seen some truly inspired poses, and probably taken a lot of fans’ favourite image of themselves. For those of us who still agonise over our ops, do you have any tips or tricks for being a better subject?
For sure, practice with a friend and a camera. In that short time, I try my best to catch blinks and derp faces etc; I can’t make sure everyone is exactly what they envisioned but if you know in advance what you want, it helps. Sometimes, spontaneous shots end up being someone’s fav so everyone is different. Personally, I wouldn’t overthink it, but that’s just me lol.
I have taken over a million photos btw!
And staying with fans, we’ve seen some incredibly talented fandom photographers coming up on the con circuit over the years. Given there’s a huge influx of new fans attending cons now, do you have any advice for a beginner who might be tempted to give it a go? What should they invest in to begin?
Invest in the love of it first.
Don’t worry about camera bodies and lenses. Social media isn’t what it was and the love of photography should come first. Shoot what you love. Worry about what the next camera should be after. I was self taught. I practiced with a ventriloquist dummy for lighting.
Also, I am weird.
Borrow a friend’s camera at first to get a feel for it. Many fans do rent cameras which is a good option before committing to a full set up.
I sometimes lament that we’re in a time where everyone is carrying a camera in their pocket on a daily basis, and taking photos that can be instantly viewed and edited. What are your thoughts on phone photography? Is there still a place for traditional darkroom skills?
Traditional Darkroom skills are sadly a thing of the past. When I started, there were still film photographers refusing to ever switch and if they wanted to continue they needed to embrace technology.
Like anything in history, the old is sadly swallowed up eventually in regards to tech. People are used to immediate gratification now, imagine waiting 2 weeks for developing to see your Misha photo? :)
There is always a place for anything I think, but it depends on what the purpose is.
Personally, I am not a huge fan of editing photos, but it is literally half of the photo. I was forced to get somewhat decent at it Lol.
There is something magical about film and the mystery of what it looks like, slowly becoming a photo while hanging in a creepy room with a red light. Sadly, that is lost somewhat now. Maybe for the better as I used to get slightly elevated in my dad’s darkroom from his chemicals.
What, if push comes to shove, is your favourite camera?
My Leica Monochrome (Black and White Only)
And can you tell us a little about your first?
My dad was a photographer during Vietnam while in the navy. He gave me a Pentax film camera when I was a tot. My first pic was a closeup of my cat’s booty.
That’s everything, other than to thank you for your kindness and patience with fans over the years, and for making me look better than I had any right to, at times.
The SPN fandom has my heart for life. They deserve it.
Interview by Rain Trower
