Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Barker.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in Rockdale, Texas, in 1990, and from a young age, I was surrounded by machines, motors, and hands-on work. Dirt bikes, three-wheelers, and go-karts were a regular part of life, and I spent countless hours tinkering, taking things apart, and figuring out how they worked. I also have an uncle who raced trucks and cars, which gave me an early look into motorsports and reinforced my fascination with mechanics. On top of that, I grew up around a family of electricians, helping with home remodels and electrical repairs, which gave me a solid foundation in electrical work from observation and hands-on learning.
I left high school in 2007 and earned my GED in 2008. I dove into the world of heavy equipment and hydraulic mechanics, learning on the job and refining my skills over more than a decade. During that time, I even ran my own mobile mechanic business, which gave me a taste of entrepreneurship and running operations independently. Today, I still work full-time as a heavy equipment field mechanic. That role keeps me grounded, constantly learning, and connected to the hands-on work I love.
In 2011, I got married, and my wife and I have three children. They are my biggest motivation. I want to show them firsthand that with focus, dedication, and the right mindset, you really can do anything you set your mind to.
In late 2024, my curiosity led me to the drone industry. I earned my Part 107 license and started Barker Imaging, a hobby-based business that allows me to explore commercial drone services like real estate media, inspections, orthomosaic mapping, videography, photography, and live streaming events. While it’s still a learning process, running Barker Imaging has given me the opportunity to combine my technical expertise with creativity and entrepreneurship. Balancing full-time work with building the business is challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.
Looking back, my journey has been about learning by doing, seizing opportunities, and always staying curious. Moving forward, my goal is to continue growing Barker Imaging, expanding my skills, and showing my children that perseverance and determination can turn passion into something real—no matter how unconventional the path may be.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all—it’s been far from smooth. Growing up, I had to figure a lot out on my own, leaving high school in 2007 and earning my GED in 2008. I’ve never attended college, so almost everything I’ve done—mechanics, drones, live streaming—has been self-taught. That meant a lot of trial and error, figuring out complex systems without formal guidance.
Running my own mobile mechanic business had its challenges too—managing clients, cash flow, and unexpected breakdowns all taught me resilience. Transitioning into drone services was another learning curve: getting licensed, understanding aerial photography, mapping, inspections, and now live streaming, which comes with technical hurdles like multi-camera setups, internet connectivity, and software workflows.
There have definitely been setbacks, mistakes, and moments where I questioned whether I could make it work. But each struggle has pushed me to learn faster, problem-solve better, and keep building something that reflects my skills, curiosity, and determination.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a full-time heavy equipment and hydraulic mechanic, and I run Barker Imaging on the side as a hobby-based business. Barker Imaging specializes in licensed commercial drone services, including real estate media, inspections, orthomosaic mapping, and selected videography and photography projects. Recently, I’ve also been expanding into live streaming, covering events with multi-camera setups and managing the technical challenges of real-time broadcasts, even in areas with limited connectivity.
What sets me apart is that I’m largely self-taught and hands-on. I approach every project by figuring things out as I go, learning from each challenge, and adapting solutions that work in the real world. People know me for my problem-solving mindset, my determination, and my ability to make complex setups work efficiently and reliably.
I’m most proud of working towards building something from scratch that combines my passions—machines, technology, and media—while still holding a full-time job. It shows that dedication, curiosity, and perseverance can take you far, even without formal training.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I operate Barker Imaging on weekends by request, and I am always open to collaborating with other creators on projects.
Anyone can support me by following my social media pages @BarkerImaging.
Any collaboration requests can be emailed to barkerimaging@yahoo.com
I am always looking for the next opportunity to create new media, to learn something new, or to even have the opportunity to teach someone something I know.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.barker-imaging.com
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/barkerimaging
- Youtube: https://YouTube.com/@barkerimaging
Image Credits
Chris Barker @ Barker Imaging
