Roots

Christopher Cornell is a fine art candid street photographer whose lens captures the intimate pulse of urban life. Born into a lineage of artists, musicians, writers, and a rodeo cowboy father who rode bulls and bareback broncos, his creative spark ignited early. At six, his stepdad—a skilled guitarist, hobbyist photographer, and former hippy who played in a college rock band—entered his life, nurturing a childhood love for photography through a vast album collection and musical inspiration. Inspired by his Great Aunt, a painter whose vivid canvases fueled his passion for fine art, and her son, a world-famous commercial illustrator and designer, Christopher’s roots run deep. A graduate of the prestigious Texas Creative program at the University of Texas at Austin’s Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations, he honed his eye for visual storytelling.

Based in Austin, Texas since 1994, Christopher sharpened his visual design skills in the corporate world, working with clients from mom & pop shops to Fortune 50 giants. His passion for street photography took hold during early 2000s visits to New York City, where the city’s vibrant energy captivated him. In 2011, while on a long-term assignment there, he bought a Ricoh GR Digital III from B&H Photo, ensuring a camera was always at hand for the streets.

Now, with a Fuji X-T50 he picked up in the summer of 2024, Christopher roams Austin’s streets and beyond, reveling in the spontaneity of hip-shot photography. Drawn to street fashion through Bill Cunningham’s iconic influence, he’s most passionate about capturing rare, tender moments of intimacy—friends embracing or couples sharing quiet connection. With 15 years of crafting a striking portfolio, he shares his work to spark thought and connection, believing art can bring people closer and deepen understanding.