Meet Chris Nolan | Owner at Matte Black Camera Rentals

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Nolan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I was managing a local rental company during Covid. We had laid the entire staff off in my dept. At the same time I had been trying to buy a house. After being out bid on several houses, I realized that I could use that money to start a business. While running the rental company by myself, I realized I could do this by myself. I started looking around and investigating my options and tons of research. (over 6 months) I decided to open MBCR.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Most camera users today are hybrid style shooters, meaning they shoot photography and video. Matte Black Camera will provide for both applications. We will bring back the importance of an in person rental experience. We believe in putting the equipment in the customer’s hands. Whether you are shooting a small project for school or a high end fashion shoot you can be confident you are working with the right pieces of equipment. Having state of the art equipment and decades of experience, we believe there is one way to complete a job, the right way!

We believe in the importance of speaking to a person and being able to try out equipment before you buy it. It’s so important to work with local businesses and keep it here in AZ. I believe in helping customers even if I do not have the gear that a customer is asking for. If I know where to get it, I will steer them to another “local company”.

We also offer beginner classes on Saturdays for people that want to learn more about photography and video.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m still learning AZ, I’ve only lived here 6 years. I would take visitors to Tempe, down on Mill Ave and over to the lake. I’ve been to Casa Grande to see the native ruins, that was amazing. We’ve been to Sedona, Flagstaff, Window Rock, and Bisbee. There are still places I’d like to visit. As far as places to eat, I really like Bario Queen, really good Mexican food. I’m kind of snob, I lived in Ca for 30 years and the Mexican food was amazing. I’m still trying to find my way as far as food goes.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank my local friends here in AZ for there friendship and support and my love Michelle for all the love and supporting my dream of having my own business.

Website: matteblackcamerarentals.com

Instagram: @matteblackcamerarentals

Facebook: Matte Black Camera Rentals

Other: My company email: matteblackcamerarentals@gmail.com ph: 480-687-5607