Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorenzo Leyva.

Hi Lorenzo, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

When I graduated from film school, I wasn’t entirely sure which department I wanted to work in or what specific job I wanted. However, I had the most experience in editing, so I began my professional career as an unpaid intern, working full-time at two different editing companies. One specialized in high-budget commercials for national brands, while the other focused on documentaries that showed underrepresented stories. These experiences gave me valuable insight into how productions operate on both large and small budgets.

From there, I joined a small production company as a freelance shooter and editor. At this company, I got hands-on experience with cameras and was able to further develop my creative editing skills. I worked on a wide variety of projects—weddings, concerts, commercials, promotions, short films, festivals, baptisms, and family events of all kinds. These opportunities allowed me to make mistakes, refine my style, and build confidence in my abilities.

At the same time, I also worked as a production assistant on professional productions of all kinds. This gave me direct exposure to the inner workings of large-scale productions, where I learned all kinds of insider techniques and learned lessons that can’t be taught in a classroom. I took what I learned from these experiences and applied it to the projects I was shooting for the other company.

Eventually, after feeling I had gained all I could from that company and from PA’ing, I decided to start my own production company. For the past three years, I’ve been freelancing and running my own business, working on a wide range of productions and continually honing my craft.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

This journey has been anything but easy. When I was interning full-time, I wasn’t making any money, so I had to work another job after spending all day at the first one. I relied on savings from working through college, but even with that, I still had to take on part-time work after my internship. That period was non-stop—working constantly just to stay afloat.

Even when I transitioned to paid editing work, the pay was low, and the workload was heavy. Around that time, the pandemic hit, which completely derailed my momentum. I had to take a three-month pause, which felt like starting over. When I began shooting, I barely knew my way around a camera. Every job felt like a test, and I had to prove myself again and again, constantly pushing my limits to catch up and improve.

Running my company has brought its own set of challenges. Every month feels uncertain—some are fully booked, others are terrifyingly empty. You’re always at the mercy of clients, whether it’s a late-night club event that runs until 1 a.m. or an early-morning school testimonial at 6:30 a.m. There have been times when people I trusted flaked on jobs last minute, stole clients behind my back, or left me scrambling at the worst possible moments.

Clients can be another challenge altogether. Some have yelled at me over minor disputes or tried to manipulate me into doing more work for less pay. Many don’t understand the effort or costs involved and push back on things they don’t fully grasp. It’s exhausting having to constantly explain your value and advocate for fair treatment.

On top of that, the workload can be overwhelming. Shooting, editing, producing, scouting locations, prepping and testing gear, conceptualizing ideas, pitching to clients, drafting contracts—when you’re doing it all yourself, it feels like everything rests on your shoulders. Burnout is real, and it’s easy to feel like I’m losing my mind when there’s no one else to fall back on. I have to hold myself accountable, stay responsible, and keep going, even when it’s overwhelming.

This kind of work isn’t for everyone, and honestly, I’m still figuring out if it’s for me.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I am a videographer, filmmaker, and photographer specializing in creating impactful visuals through video and photo. My work spans events, restaurants, commercials, short films, documentaries, and storytelling in so many forms. One of the projects I’m most proud of was a promotional commercial I created for the Chicago Public Library. My company, Chicago Valley, was tasked with producing a creative promo for a major initiative spanning all 81 library branches. Their brief was simple but challenging: “We want to promote an online book club with a video game theme. It should be cinematic, engaging, under two minutes, and optimized for social media.”

With that direction, Marius, my business partner, and I began brainstorming and conceptualizing. The project came with a tight budget and numerous constraints that seemed to derail our progress constantly. It felt like every step forward was met with a new obstacle—whether it was timeline issues, unexpected roadblocks, or even a last-minute paperwork issue that nearly halted production. But challenges like these are where I believe my company excels.

What sets us apart is our ability to help clients define their brand, identity, and visual presence. Many of our clients come to us with a strong vision for their story, but no visuals to match. That’s where we come in, crafting unique content tailored to their goals. Our process begins with understanding what they want to achieve—whether it’s promoting a new product, driving sales, or building awareness for seasonal campaigns. From there, we design videos that align with their objectives, balancing creativity with strategy.

Looking ahead, I aim to expand our services into full-scale video strategy, where we not only create videos but also plan entire campaigns that deliver meaningful results. It’s a collaborative approach, starting with understanding the client’s current marketing efforts, future goals, and potential tie-ins. Using that foundation, we pitch concepts that feel purposeful and aligned with their broader vision. It’s akin to how an ad agency operates, but on a more personalized scale.

We’re not just making videos—we’re building a portfolio that reflects our values. I’m especially passionate about working with local Chicago businesses, nonprofits, and brands. While we’ve collaborated with national companies, I find the greatest fulfillment in projects that connect deeply with the Chicago community. Whether it’s a commercial, short film, promo, or live event, I’m energized by stories that are uniquely tied to the culture and heartbeat of this city.

What truly sets us apart is our style and approach. Unlike large agencies with hundreds of employees and endless layers of approval, we operate with a smaller, more nimble team. This allows us to maintain creative freedom and a personal touch in every project. My business partner and I are a great team—two minds with different perspectives but a shared vision. Our yin-and-yang dynamic fuels our creativity, enabling us to deliver ideas and solutions that stand out.

We’re not reinventing the wheel, but we’re doing something distinct—something that resonates. Our work has a voice, and people notice. That’s the energy I want to keep channeling as we grow: creating impactful visuals, telling important stories, and staying true to the communities we serve.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?

In general, my family brings me so much happiness. I adore my cat. I love my community, my friends, and anyone who believes in me—because honestly, believing in myself can be a struggle. The support I’ve received from others along this journey means everything to me. It’s hard to chase after a dream, but knowing there are people in my corner makes it a little less daunting.

I’m happiest when I’m passionate about what I’m doing—in my career, in my life, in everything. I don’t want to move through life without a sense of purpose. For me, that purpose isn’t some grand, altruistic mission or deep philosophical calling. I’m a simple person: I just want to be proud of the person I am. It used to be about wanting to become someone I could be proud of, but as time passes, I realize I need to focus on who I am right now,

Whether I succeed or fail, whether I end up pivoting to a corporate job or changing careers entirely, I know I’m chasing what I’m passionate about. And the best part? I’m doing it my way. I get to work on projects I care about, collaborate with friends, and work with artists I respect. That’s something I’m deeply grateful for.

Of course, it’s not all perfect. Sometimes I feel guilty—like I don’t deserve the success I’ve had—or even delusional for thinking I’m successful at all. I burn out, I make mistakes, I shoot myself in the foot more often than I’d like. But even on the hard days, I’d take this over working for a company that doesn’t care about me, pays me nothing, and stifles my creativity.

Food makes me happy too.

Pricing:

• consultation meeting
• is our preferred way
• to figure out pricing

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chicagovalley.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enzo.shootz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lorenzo.leyva.96
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorenzo-leyva/