Chainsaws & Cameras - Ben Christie, Arborist & Wildlife Photographer
Ben Christie
He runs a local tree care business, and in his spare time takes wildlife photos. Exploring the significance of his career journey as an arborist, his evolution as a photographer, and how those two areas of his life are intertwined!
Don’t be intimidated by the big chainsaw. Ben Christie’s a really nice guy who happens to be an arborist. And what’s with the camera? Well, when he’s not busy running his local tree care company, Ben’s Trees, Ben loves to take pictures of wildlife—often in Steveston and up towards Terra Nova in Richmond.
This article is all about these two things that Ben is really passionate about—tending to the trees, and wildlife photography.
I had a lovely time interviewing Ben. And despite being a nervous wreck leading up to our meeting (he actually told me a few times beforehand about how nervous he was), Ben did great!
Squirrel, photographed by Ben Christie
Not only did this shy introvert manage not to puke during our video chat—he shared so freely about his evolution and values as an arborist and a as photographer.
Read on to discover why tending to the trees and photographing wildlife mean so much to Ben, and the beautiful connection between these two areas of his life.
After this article, head to Ben’s Wildlife Photography Show & Tell to see explore Ben’s his amazing images and wisdom from his experience in nature and behind the camera!
Owl, photographed by Ben Christie
Ben’s Story
Chainsaw or camera—which came first?
It was the camera. And here’s a bit of the backstory:
As a boy growing up in Yorkshire, England, Ben got into photography because his father had a passion for it. After high school, Ben went on to study fine art in college which also included courses in photography.
Ben: I was into photography very young. My father was a great photographer and he had a darkroom at home, so I would develop black and white photos with him when I was just a boy. That’s where my love for photography came from. After I finished high school, I did go to school to study fine art and photography. I always wanted to be an artist but I was never “good” at creating what I envisioned in my mind with mediums such as pen and paper.
After college, Ben did not end up pursuing a career in the arts. In fact, there was a good ten years when he didn’t do photography during his twenties. So what got him back into it? And how did he become the amazing wildlife photographer that he is today? Hold that thought, because we’ll circle back to that later.
What happened after art school?
If Ben didn’t become a professional artist, what did this young man at the time decide to do with his life?
Ben: I had a handful of different jobs when I was younger. It was in my early 20’s when a friend suggested I work for a local forestry company in East Yorkshire, England, close to where I lived at the time. It wasn’t long after I started there that I really enjoyed the work and kept at it for the next seven years.
I learned how to read the trees, understand their structure, and how they would react in different felling situations. I went through lots of training and picked it up instantly. Soon I was training new guys and leading a falling crew.
And then, along came Josephine
With what sounds like an exciting and fulfilling job back home in England, how did Ben end up in Canada—a country where he had never traveled to before?
Love.
Two Birdies, photographed by Ben Christie
Ben: I moved to Canada in 2014 because of Josephine. I met my wife Josephine when she was visiting England. And then within six months, I moved to Canada. I had never been to Canada before in my life. Luckily there’s a big tree care culture here, so it was easy for me to get a job with a well-known company before eventually starting up Ben’s Trees, my current tree care business.
Side note: In case anyone’s wondering what Josephine’s up to, I was nosey enough to ask. Ben who told me she’s a professional harpist. Don’t you think her name is really fitting for a harpist? I do.
Trees to climb and cats to rescue
When Ben came to Canada, he noticed how well all the trees are kept here compared to in England. They’re much bigger too. He didn’t actually do any climbing until he came to work in Canada, and the local company that he worked with put him through the training.
Ben: You can’t be afraid of heights—that’s the number one thing! Since day one of learning how to climb, I’ve been enjoying it. I know it's not for everybody, but I love it.
Sometimes my crew and I are called in to rescue animals from trees too. Last time, the Richmond fire department were unable to retrieve a cat, so I climbed the tree and got it out. The funny thing is, I got a call again a few days later—same cat in the same tree!
Attracting an audience
Do people stop to check it out when Ben and his crew are at work? Of course! Wouldn’t you want to look? Ben currently has two guys working with him. Eighty percent of the time they’re in Steveston—often attracting attention from people of all ages.
Ben: Today, I was working at a childcare place, climbing the trees, and putting branches into the wood chipper. And there was a row of about six little faces watching us all day long. They kept waving back at us.
Circling back to photography—the connection between tree care in Canada and capturing wildlife images
Even after close to twenty years in the tree care business, Ben’s passion for taking care of the natural environment continues to grow—and that passion works to foster his love for wildlife.
Black Bear, photographed by Ben Christie
Remember in the beginning I told you that Ben went through a stretch in his twenties when he didn’t do photography? Being surrounded by nature in Canada led him to start taking pictures again, this time photographing wildlife which he hadn’t tried in the past.
Ben: I love looking after the trees and making sure everything is done right. And that sort of blends in with my wildlife obsession. At work, I’m always looking out for wildlife around me. Over the years I’ve gotten to recognize all the different behaviours of animals.
The wonderful thing about wildlife is that it’s changing all the time. You never know what’s going to happen next. I know I’m making it sound quite dramatic, but I find it so fascinating—to observe and learn the habits of the animals.
Out with the rules
The style of Ben’s photographs that you see today is the result of him finding his own voice as an artist over time.
Bird, photographed by Ben Christie
Ben: I used to look at other people’s photos and follow the popular “tips”, for example the rule of thirds. There were so many rules I used to follow. And in the end, I just stopped following everything. I decided to do it the way I liked to do it. Some people might ask me, “Why is the bird on that side of the photo? It should be on the other side of the picture.” Well, that’s just how I like to do it.
When I first started doing photography again in Canada, I’d see a picture that someone else had taken and I’d try and take exactly the same picture. But after a while that just got boring!
Seagull, photographed by Ben Christie
It’s a healing thing
Finally, to wrap up this feature about Ben Christie, let’s hear about the photographer’s perspective on the restorative power doing wildlife photography.
Coyote, photographed by Ben Christie
Ben: When I’m photographing nature, I’m on my own. It’s actually a big healing thing for me because it relieves a lot of stress.
In my day to day life, there’s just too many distractions everywhere—getting from one job site to another or just driving around the city in general. Getting away from that for a while gets rid of the built up stress.
I can be out there in nature for hours and hours walking for miles, and when I come home I feel great whether I get a good picture or not.
Want to see more photos by Ben?
Check out Wildlife Photography Show & Tell
Ben presents his amazing photos, and shares wisdom from his experience in nature and behind the camera. You’ll even get to see the elusive saw-whet owl photographed right here in Steveston!
