Editor’s note: Commercial photographer Chris McLennan’s biography typifies the small-town boy who made it big. Growing up in the rural farming community of Riversdale (not far from Queenstown in New Zealand’s picturesque south island), Chris began his photography career in 1988 running a wedding and portrait studio out of nearby Invercargill. But it wasn’t long before his love of skiing and the magic of the southern alps pulled him to the bright lights of Queenstown, where he set up shop and pursued commercial clients in the adventure tourism sector. As his reputation grew, and the quality of his imagery began to attract notice further a field, Chris was soon regularly jumping the ditch to shoot for tourism entities throughout Australia and the South Pacific.

Fast forward 26 years and Chris now boasts big-name clients from one end of the globe to the other. He has worked on commercial shoots in more than 50 different countries to date and his stunning travel imagery has been recognized with a string of international awards.

As a passionate and dedicated photographer, Chris has also been involved in a number of highly successful personal projects, including his YouTube viral video sensation “Car-L meets the Lions” (6 million+ views), a behind-the-scenes look at a very unique photo shoot he completed in Botswana which then featured on national TV news programs and in newspapers all over the world.

Chris provides guidance and inspiration to photography enthusiasts globally by way of his Travel Photography app “PhotoTorial” released in 2012; his highly successful and annual photography competition the “Travel Photography Awards” (launched 2013) – which offers the chance not only to win photographic gear but for one lucky entrant a one-on-one private photo tour to French Polynesia with Chris; and lastly, through his range of Photo Tour workshops offered each year to locations such as Norway, Alaska, Africa and New Zealand.

We are so honored to have Chris be part of the Loweprofessionals Program. His award-winning images have been published worldwide and his photo tours sell out quickly and earn extreme praise from participants.

Here are some links to learn more about Chris and to check out more of his images.

 

cmphoto.co.nz
cmphoto.co.nz/phototours
beyondf8.com
www.photo-torial.com
travelphotographyawards.com
chrismclennan.smugmug.com

 

Katrina Neill

About Katrina Neill

Katrina was the Senior Editor & Communications Manager for Lowepro.

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