chris chambers, photographer, firefighter, lover of ribs, lets plain wrap get to know him better. this is the fiftieth installment of plain wrap’s interview series in which plain wrap interviews all its facebook friends. thank you, chris chambers.

1. Tell us about yourself?

1. This is a tough question. My passion is photography, chasing that one image, fighting with light in hopes of mastering it. Darryl Jones and Ansel Adams are my heroes of the lens. I have also self-published 3 books of my photography. I absolutely love the arts and creativity that goes into every image. I am also a trained firefighter, EMT, dive rescue and IPMBA (Bicycle EMS). I was a firefighter for Knight Township Fire for 7 years until we were forced to close due to financial reasons. I am now involved with emergency services in Columbus, Indiana and surrounding areas. I am a smoke heavily too. No, not tobacco but ribs. Slow cooked full of flavor. I have a couple sauces that I bottle as well. My main smoker is a bit of a monster – rehab6.com tells a bit about that. It is a 20 foot trailer that looks like a fire truck and has 2 keg systems as well as other goodies. Almost a year ago I was injured and forced to rethink a lot of things, which I think has been a blessing in disguise, along with all kinds of other emotions.

2. Have you read any good books lately?

2. I just finished reading Firehouse by David Halberstam. It is about Engine 40 Ladder 35 that lost 12 of its 13 responders on 9-11. It has a very deep meaning for me because of one simple word: Brotherhood. I recently lost a brother firefighter that I had trained, and is now honored in memorial at the National Fire Academy in Emmetsburg, Maryland. The book firehouse seems to help explain it to others that are not involved in the fire service, in an easy read way.

3. Why did you leave your last job?

3. Sadly it was not by choice. Due to injuries I had to slow down a bit, and close down my studio. The plus side is I have opted to go a different route for career so I can do photography simply for enjoyment when I am back on my feet.

4. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?

4. That is somewhat a funny story. With an injury about a year and 3surgeries ago, I have been forced to rethink my life, and decided to start a new career in locksmithing. I have been going thru various trainings and I am now a certified locksmith. When I am back on my feet, I will be using that as a day to day job while still enjoying the lens as
it should be.

5. Tell us about the most fun you have had in life?

5. There are two things come to mind right away. The first is riding in Engine 6 in the officers seat, pulling up to a structure fire, calling in a scene size up, packing up, and making an interior fire attack with the best brothers I could ever have. The other is a bit
different, hopping off the City Train (Number 59) in New Orleans, getting a cup of coffee and having an order of beignets while listening to some great jazz from a local musician at the Café.