We recently connected with Samy El-Kamel and have shared our conversation below.

Samy, appreciate you joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

I’m definitely the kind of person that gets caught up in all the details, and I often find myself second-guessing a lot of the rather simple decisions to make when it comes to running my business. I already knew that landing on a name was going to be quite the ordeal — but the process actually kind of fell together very nicely. I knew I didn’t want my name or any sort of descriptor for myself or my work in the actual business name, since that would come with the subtitle “Photography & Videography” — and I also knew I wanted something that sounded a little out of left field. I don’t know about you, but it’s always fun to see some of the super random names of different production companies that flash in the opening credits of a movie or TV show.

So, in what can pretty much be equated to a “shower thought,” the rather wry (if I do say so myself) name of Barefoot Python Media was born. I wasn’t sure how it would stick, at first, but honestly I’ve grown quite fond of the name over time.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Film has always been my unrivaled passion, for as far back as I can remember. To watching them as a kid to now writing and creating a few of my own (and overall just gaining a far deeper and more soulful appreciation for cinema as a whole over time), there’s always been something about a great story and a captivating audiovisual experience that just gives me a feeling that little else can compare to. A genuine love for storytelling is what fuels my creative work, so it should be a no-brainer that such a drive is also what I bring to my business.

When taking on any project for a client, my first deliberation is on how to take their needs and satisfy them while also telling a relevant story about them or their product/service in the process. Because at the end of the day, what someone really remembers about a picture or a video is how it made them feel. I do believe that this is what sets me apart from the competition; this aforementioned notion is my mantra, which is why I always prioritize feeling and storytelling above all else. I think my rich appreciation for film is what gives me an edge in the industry — whereas others may be more focused on getting the most technically impressive shot or edit, I’m figuring out how to deliver something technically impressive, absolutely, but also something that will leave the viewer with a resonant feeling, one they’ll hopefully remember long after they’ve forgotten how cool the framing of that one shot was.

This is what I am most proud of, and why I do what I do professionally as well as for creative pleasure. This is what I would want followers and clients to know about me above all else. My favorite clients to work with have been those who share similar appreciation for storytelling and movies — when two or more creative minds are put together towards a similar goal, truly great things can be made.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I had been using my iPhone and some external mobile lenses and peripherals for some time, when I first started to get into the actual craft of filmmaking. But I knew if I wanted to make some money doing this as well, I would need the real deal. An iPhone wasn’t going to cut it, even if those cameras are quite capable. So when I got my tax refund, I immediately bought a solid camera and began the process of creating the foundation for my business. I started mainly doing photography, as in order to take on a lot of professional video projects, I would need some extra gear. The money for said gear would end up coming from a first place screenwriting award I won in my junior year at UNF — and then again in my senior year. From there, I’ve been expanding my camera gear toolkit when I can, always making sure that each piece of equipment I buy is something that will unlock new shooting capabilities and elevate my work — and skillset — to the next level.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

By far the most rewarding aspect of being an artist, at least for me, is being able to create pieces of media that leave viewers with a lasting impression, a resonant feeling. When I get feedback on my work, oftentimes people will commend the technical skill demonstrated within the shots I take. They’ll compliment things like framing/composition, camera angle, editing techniques, and so on. Of course, don’t get me wrong — I value those compliments a ton, and sometimes the best thing about a shot is indeed the technicality on display. But the feedback that always sticks with me the most, and makes me feel the happiest, is when people tell me that my photo or video made them FEEL something.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://barefootpythonmedia.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samy_elkamel24/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gengen741/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samy-el-kamel-05104525a
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@BarefootPythonMedia?si=2IONZ_9r33Afra4P

Image Credits

N/A — All pictures were taken/edited by me.