Photographer & Developer
I'm Chris O'Connell, founder of ChrisOC Digital—where photography meets code. I grew up in San Diego, California and attended a trade high school where I learned to create. When everyone took trips to Europe after graduation, I bought a Canon DSLR instead. Best decision I ever made.
That camera took me to Japan and South Korea for three years as a destination photographer. I was there during the tsunami. Life hit pause. What was supposed to be one year off turned into several—retail, breweries, warehouses, construction. The whole "find your footing" era.
In 2020, unemployed during the pandemic, I picked up HTML and automation. One line of code turned into hours of curiosity. Then I discovered AI—not the hype version, but the "this can teach me" version. It flipped everything. Visual Studio Code became my new creative workspace. The same spark photography gave me came back, but expanded.
What started as ChrisOCPhoto in 2007 evolved into ChrisOC Digital. Photography remains active—event coverage, portraits, corporate media. Now it sits alongside web development: Next.js, React, TypeScript, AI integration. Projects like PlanAI, GetEditly, URBNWX—each one a different challenge solved.
Today I'm back where it started: creating. Photography and development, working together. I like projects with purpose—whether that's capturing a moment or writing the logic that powers a product.
If you're reading this thinking "I've been stuck in jobs that don't fit" or "I learned something once but never went back to it" or "I don't know if I'm creative or technical"—I get it. You don't have to pick one path forever. Skills can hibernate and come back stronger. A camera can lead to code. Makers keep making, no matter what form it takes. Just keep building.
Capturing professional moments through event photography, corporate portraits, and media content creation with advanced editing capabilities.
Building modern, responsive web applications with cutting-edge technologies, AI integration, and seamless user experiences.
Managing projects from concept to completion with strategic planning, client communication, and creative problem-solving.
ChrisOC Digital (formerly ChrisOCPhoto), Oceanside, CA
Founded as ChrisOCPhoto in 2007, evolved into ChrisOC Digital—a full-service creative studio. ChrisOCPhoto remains an active division offering professional photography services including event coverage, corporate media content, and professional portraits. Expanded to include modern web development specializing in responsive applications with Next.js, React, and TypeScript. Manage all business operations, client relations, project coordination, and strategic planning. Deliver end-to-end creative solutions from concept to execution across both photography and digital development.
Campus Photography International, Japan & South Korea
Led comprehensive photography operations across multiple U.S. military bases throughout Japan and South Korea. Supervised and mentored team of professional photographers, coordinating schedules, quality standards, and client deliverables. Managed all aspects of client relations from initial consultations through final product delivery. Built strong relationships with military personnel and families while navigating cultural nuances and diverse shooting environments. Consistently delivered high-quality portrait and event photography under tight deadlines.
Interested in working together? Download my resume or get in touch to discuss your project.