SoWal People: Chandler Williams of Modus Photography

Chandler Williams has had a camera in his hands since he was a senior in high school. It was a 35-millimeter camera and while he still loves film, he works more with digital now.

“Film is just not an option time-wise when doing production work,” he says.

Chandler didn’t plan a career in photography, but he was the one to take family photos and document travels. When he bought a house and learned he and wife Jessica were expecting twins, he realized he needed to make money.

And Modus Photography, providing South Walton’s lifestyle photos, was established.
On the website, he says, “Modus Photography is how I continue to share my years of captured moments of doing what I love to do most.”

At times, Chandler wishes he was ten years older so he could have experienced what he believes was an interesting time when photography transitioned from print to digital. He marvels at the way photographers adapted to the new technology. However, it was a sink or swim moment, and he says the majority of photographers adapted.

When someone wants to learn how to take good photos, Chandler advises they use a film camera and make notes on the settings used for every frame and then see what works and what doesn’t. It’s how you learn the elements of photography, he says.

He would love to offer classes in a private setting and is working with other photographers to look at the option of providing a darkroom as well.

Chandler taught a six-week session for eighth graders at the Seaside Neighborhood School. He hoped to provide film cameras, but that didn’t work out. Instead, the students brought cameras from home, and with all the different digital cameras, it wasn’t the learning experience he sought to provide.

While on a YOLO board photo shoot, he says, “My eyes were opened to creative video.”
So even as he ponders working more with film, Chandler looks to video to grow Modus. He is in the process of developing a creative team to allow him to expand his business for more commercial work whether film, digital or video.

Contact Chandler Williams at (850) 543-5986 or go to www.modusphotography.com.