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Chris Dirker

@chrisdirkercreative

23

posts

872

followers

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Photographer 📸 People, Places & Things | Texas • Phase One Certified Professional • Adventures and Travel

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Some stories are stitched together over generations.

When I met Clint Wilkinson, I wasn’t just photographing a leather craftsman, I was photographing a legacy.

One of the things I love most about portraiture has very little to do with the camera. Before I start taking pictures, I want to understand who someone is. How they work. Why they do what they do. The best portraits come from conversation long before the shutter is pressed.

As Clint shared his story, I learned about a family legacy that dates back to 1957, when his grandfather opened Weldon’s Saddle Shop in Denton, Texas. Clint spent his childhood under the dusty lights of that shop, learning leatherwork, listening to stories, and discovering the value of treating customers like family. Though he eventually pursued a different creative path in digital media and design, something kept pulling him back to the workbench where it all began.

The more we talked, the more we realized just how small the world can be. I spent nearly a decade working in the motorsports industry, and it turns out Clint did as well. He was one of the co-creators of Vurbmoto, a publication I read for years and often found myself shooting alongside throughout my career. There’s a good chance we crossed paths dozens of times without ever knowing it.

Years later, two creatives with similar roots found themselves sitting inside the same saddle shop, talking about craftsmanship, storytelling, and the pursuit of creating meaningful work.

Today, Clint is carrying forward a legacy that spans generations, creating heirloom-quality leather goods from the very place where his grandfather built a North Texas institution. What struck me most wasn’t just the quality of the craftsmanship, though every detail reflects decades of knowledge and tradition, but the purpose behind it. In a world obsessed with what’s next, Clint is dedicated to preserving something timeless.

These are the stories I love to tell. The ones where the hands creating the work are just as interesting as the work itself.

Thanks for sharing your story, Clint.

#portraitphotography #environmentalportrait #leathercraftsman #texasmade #americancraftsman taken in Denton, Texas by @chrisdirkercreative

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2 months ago

What started as a simple conversation turned into a really meaningful collaboration.

After my first conversation with @evablanton, it was clear this project needed to bridge two worlds — the one she grew up in, and the one she continues to be rooted in. Spending time in Highland Park and on her family’s ranch, we built the concept around that contrast and connection.

I worked closely with my talented director @jklopping and my magician DP @connorharbenphoto to shape the vision, and everything just seemed to fall into place from there.

The Highland Park portion brought a ton of energy — even the locals and everyone involved in the shoot were fully bought in, which made it that much more special. Huge thanks to the Highland Park Police Department for helping us safely pull that off.

When we transitioned to the ranch, the conditions couldn’t have been more different. Cold, rain, and mud — but Eva and @dillonk08 didn’t complain once. Total pros the entire time.

Projects like this remind me why I love what I do — getting to tell stories that are rooted in real people, real places, and a culture that runs deep. Western culture is truly second to none.

Big thank you to everyone who helped bring this to life.

Director: @jklopping
Motion: @connorharbenphoto
1st AC: @andywhalencam
Talent: @evablanton @dillonk08 by @chrisdirkercreative

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4 months ago

This weekend’s shoot at @dawsonstriplecreekranch was one for the books.
Texas surprised us with a serious snowfall, @maddiefergusonn and I knew instantly we had to take advantage of it.

We had already been talking about doing a shoot together, and with that landscape covered in snow, there was no way we were saying no. It was freezing — at one point my left eye literally froze shut while shooting and I had to pry it open with my hand. Totally worth it.

I threw together a vision for the shoot pretty quickly, and somehow Maddie executed it like she had read my mind. Huge thanks to @jklopping for the awesome layout and helping bring the final images together.

Cold fingers, frozen eyelashes, and a Texas ranch that looked like Wyoming — can’t ask for more than that.

#photoshoot #behindthescenes #cowgirl #texasphotographer #westernstyle taken in Nocona, Texas by @chrisdirkercreative

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6 months ago

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7 months ago

Coming off his 26th consecutive NSCA National Championship, I had the pleasure of spending the morning training with—and photographing—Defender Outdoors Clay Sports Ranch President @travismears .
Travis’s list of accolades is incredibly long and impressive. He isn’t just a competition sporting clay shooter; he has competed in nearly every shotgun discipline and is also an avid hunter. He’s widely known as an exceptional shooter and instructor. On top of that, Travis has performed 200+ Shooting Exhibition Shows nationwide, where he can be seen breaking targets over his head, from the hip, behind his back—you name it.
I spent less than an hour behind the camera capturing some stills, and I’m super pumped about what we were able to create. Beyond the awards, Travis is an incredibly kind guy and a truly outstanding instructor. @fiocchiusa @gueriniusa @defenderoutdoorsclaysports taken in Defender Outdoors Clay Sports Ranch by @chrisdirkercreative

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8 months ago

Texas artist @marisa_jean_art finishing up one of her unique texture paintings in her home studio. She’s taken her background in sculpting to canvas, creating work that feels alive and seen.
#environmentlportrait #texasphotographer #texasartist by @chrisdirkercreative

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0

a year ago

Precision Driver, Stunt Coordinator, Master Fabricator, and Harley Extraordinaire @jeffmilburnautofab

Photographed at his home shop in Dallas, TX. At the time Jeff was coming off wrapping up his work on The Bikeriders with Austin Butler and Tom Hardy.
#thebikeriders #thebikeridersmovie #harleydavidson #environmentalportrait taken in Dallas Texas by @chrisdirkercreative

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a year ago

I’m honored to have been featured in the top 100 for the APA Something Personal Show. Thanks to the incredible judging panel and all the hard work from the APA board members and volunteers. It was great seeing everyone last night, so much talent under one roof. Also a huge shoutout to @mediocrepilot and @wildwomanonthefly for being such incredible helicopter pilots and providing me the opportunity to capture this image @apasanfrancisco @leftspace by @chrisdirkercreative

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2 years ago

One of my favorite shoots to this day. I had the pleasure of working on this @jackeryusa commercial a few months ago with @lyfewithed and his amazing team down in LA. We spent several days traveling all around the Los Angeles area to get the shots that were needed to bring his vision to life. After watching the video, swipe right to take a look at the images I shot for the Campaign.

#repost @lyfewithed
・・・
Sorry if this is a repost, I’m not much for posting etiquette so I hope this is not redundant because it was in my IGTV.

This was a project we worked on for @jackeryusa that was close to my heart. It was written as my own dedication to my mom who was always there for me, listened to my crazy made up adventures and never stopped me from going out to explore nor stop my imagination. I miss her everyday of my life and beyond, hope you enjoy.

Thank you to the wonderful cast and crew who endured a lot to make this possible. Special thanks to @garyrosephotography for the support and guidance along with @cjvanston for composing this wonderful music and @roastnpost_oakland for the beautiful color and sound.

Client: @jackeryusa

Agency: red_cube_studio
Account manager: @eeddaa.zz
Producer: @yuan_old

Cast: @lucianaelisaq
          @sunnythevampireslayer
          @qnami
          @haleybabula

Production: Be Media
Producers: @alrikbursell
                   @garyrosephotography
Production Coordinator: @thatgirlerrrica
1st AD: @kwesgxd
Director: @lyfewithed

DP: @mariocontini
1st AC: @stephenbrangan
2nd AC: @kenchan

Gaffer: @krazikutz
Best: @playingwithlights
Key Grip: @jakecrumley
Best: @freddy.fred.fredster

Production Design: @elledelcampo
Set Dresser: @by_samtaylor

Drone Pilots: @artlafilms
                      @chrisdirkerphoto

Jib: @gabekimpson

Production assistants: @ellisroy4
                          @kushmanfilms
                                     @_ariellemarie

Wardrobe Stylist: @le.kimberly
Hair and Make up: @nicoleperezbeauty

Composer: @cjvanston
Sound mix: @matthewtammariello
Sound: @holdforplane

Post House: @roastnpost_oakland
Colorist: @roastnpost_oakland
Additional Editors: @kaicuikai

BTS: @chrisdirkerphoto taken in Los Angeles, California by @chrisdirkercreative

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5 years ago