Pendle Retro Photo
About Me
My name is Chris McKie, and I’ve spent my life surrounded by photography, teaching, and the joy of sharing knowledge.
I trained as a teacher in England before moving to Toronto, Canada, where I taught in the elementary school system for many years. Alongside teaching, I pursued my lifelong passion for photography and studied Applied Photography at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario—one of Canada’s top photography schools—graduating with honours. During that time, I worked across every format, from 35mm and medium format to large format 4x5 cameras, and mastered both black & white and colour printing.
Over the years, I worked in a variety of photography roles: freelancing, weddings, children’s portraits, commercial work, and operating a mini lab. I later returned to teaching, where I built a school darkroom and introduced children to the magic of black & white photography and pinhole cameras. Eventually, I worked with one of Toronto’s leading real estate photography companies, photographing high-end homes and condominiums.
When digital photography began to dominate the industry, I noticed many professionals selling their beloved Hasselblads, Rolleiflexes, and other film cameras. That’s when I began collecting—and today, I’ve built a unique collection of more than 100 film cameras, covering every major format.
Now retired from teaching, I’ve returned to my first love: traditional film photography and the darkroom. With decades of hands-on experience and a teacher’s instinct, I’m passionate about passing on the knowledge, skills, and excitement of film photography to others. Whether it’s handling a classic camera, working with studio lighting, or developing film by hand, I want to give people a chance to experience photography the way it was meant to be—tactile, creative, and timeless.
I also share my love of cameras and photography on my YouTube channel, Chris McKie – The Camera Guy, where I explore the stories behind my collection and offer insights into traditional photography.
Photography for me has always been more than just pictures—it’s about craft, history, and the joy of discovery. I’m excited to welcome you into my studio and darkroom to experience it for yourself.