-Compiled and edited by Shawn Nowlin
Who is Chris Tribble?
I’d describe myself as a father, a husband and a friend. Someone who tries to live by the golden rule of treating people with respect and kindness. I am a bit of a computer geek. I love technology, problem-solving and all the gadgets that come with the job. I enjoy exploring the nooks and crannies of our planet, capturing moments through my lens and meeting the people who make each place unique.
Where were you born and raised? What was your upbringing like?
My childhood was split between Queens, New York, and Vinton, Virginia. I, along with my brother and two sisters, was raised by a strong, single mother. Growing up in Queens, we moved around a lot.
My mother worked hard to keep us going, and that experience taught me resilience early in life. Eventually, she made the leap to move us to the Roanoke area, where she remarried. With my stepfather in the picture, things became more stable, and we were able to settle into middle-class life. That transition from New York to Virginia shaped who I am today and gave me a perspective I still carry with me.
After high school, what was the next chapter of your life?
I knew college wasn’t the right next step for me. I also knew I needed structure and discipline, so I joined the United States Marine Corps. My time in the military was exactly what I needed. I never saw combat, but was certainly thrust into adulthood quickly. The Marines taught me accountability, resilience, and discipline, principles and habits I still rely on every single day.
What is your official title, and what do your responsibilities consist of?
My professional title is Systems Administrator and System Engineer for Virginia Western Community College. In that role, I maintain the college’s virtual computing environment, everything from virtual desktops and applications to system images and infrastructure. It’s a lot of behind-the-scenes technical work that keeps technology running smoothly for students and staff.
Outside of that, I wear another hat as the owner and photographer of SnapKraklePop Photography. My wife and I run the business from our home with a small studio. It’s my creative outlet and a way to connect with people through visual storytelling.
How important is family to you?
Family is everything to me. We’re all moving through this life experience together, and even though we don’t always fully understand it, family is there to guide us, teach us and love us along the way. I believe in keeping family close, learning from them while also passing along lessons of my own. It’s all about trying to tune life to the best possible frequency, and family is at the heart of that.
If you were building the ultimate music playlist for a six-hour road trip, which artists would be on it?
My playlist would move through a few eras. We’d start by getting amped up with Run the Jewels, then dive into early 90s hip hop with Wu Tang Clan, Nas, Mobb Deep and a West Coast stop with Dr. Dre’s The Chronic. After that, we’d switch gears into 90s grunge and alternative with Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Korn, Staind and Incubus. Then we’d move into blue-eyed soul with Adele and ZZ Ward. My wife and I actually got engaged at one of ZZ’s concerts. Amy Winehouse would definitely make the list too. From there, we’d melt into the classics with Nina Simone, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, and Etta James, and finish the trip strong with Kendrick Lamar.
What are some of your favorite City of Roanoke memories?
I’ve always loved the chance to gather with the people who help keep the city running, sharing a meal, breaking bread and enjoying genuine fellowship with so many unique individuals. Those moments of connection and community have always stuck with me as something special about Roanoke.
Outside of your profession, what do your hobbies consist of?
Photography is my number one hobby. Even though it’s grown into a business, it started simply as a passion that just happened to turn into something profitable. Travel is a close second, but not the typical kind of travel. I’m drawn to experiences like ziplining through the jungles of Belize, hiking to waterfalls in Costa Rica, drinking a beer at noon in Stuttgart during Oktoberfest, swimming with whale sharks off the coast of Holbox, or walking through bioluminescent water under the Milky Way on a sandbar in the Gulf of Mexico.
Which people have had the biggest impact on your life outside of family?
Three people outside of my family have had a major impact on my life, all right here in our community. Scott Cassell was an instructor I had at Virginia Western while pursuing my IT degree. He had a way of making complex topics feel approachable, and you could tell he was truly devoted to his craft. More than anything, he taught me that it’s important to genuinely enjoy what you do.
Linda Valentine, a former boss, shaped me in a very different way. She once told me, bluntly, this job just isn’t for you. It was honest, direct, and exactly what I needed to hear. She pushed me to think bigger, to learn from setbacks, and to want more out of life. That moment helped redirect my path.
Diane Speaks has been deeply influential in my creative journey. She formerly ran a boutique in downtown Roanoke, and when she learned I traveled with my camera everywhere and had years of stored images, she encouraged me to turn my photography into wall art and put my work out into the world. She helped me overcome one of the biggest hurdles many artists face, being your own harshest critic, and nudged me to finally share my art with the public.
If you could go back and give your younger self some advice, what would it be?
Don’t limit yourself. Follow your dreams, explore your hobbies early, and start now. Don’t wait for the right time, because it rarely comes. The things that bring you joy and fulfillment are worth chasing, and the sooner you start, the more meaningful the journey becomes.
