Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chris Wheelington. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Chris, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?

My father is my hero. He has always been my greatest supporter, standing by me in every interest I’ve pursued and refuses to give up on me. One of the values he instilled in me early on is the importance of punctuality. I’m not just “on time”—I make it a point to be early. If there’s even the slightest chance I might be late, I communicate as quickly as possible because I value others’ time and expect the same in return. My father served in the U.S. Air Force before becoming a dad, and when it came time to raise me, he ensured I understood the importance of responsibility, respect, and dependability. He made sure I wasn’t the kid oversleeping, missing the bus, showing up late, or neglecting my manners. Instead, he taught me the importance of being early to work or class, giving a firm handshake, maintaining eye contact, speaking respectfully, and carrying myself with confidence. He also showed me that when you are consistently all those things, people associate it with your character, and you begin to build credit with people. People learn to understand that you are dependable, you take care of business, and you can trusted. I hate to say it, but the average person these days don’t hold themselves to a certain standard, and if they do, they aren’t consistent. I say that because another benefit I came to realize is when you apply these small but simple traits to your moral compass, you stand out. People recognize it because so many don’t take initiative or put themselves in someone else’s shoes. One thing my dad used to say that always stuck with me is this, “it doesn’t cost you anything to be nice.” It’s not hard to do and it doesn’t cost you any money. Everyone has some version of a battle within them, that you know nothing about. You never know what someone may be going through or what kind of day they’re having. And you know what? Sometimes something as innocent as a “hey how are you doing?” with a genuine smile on your face or even a small positive gesture like “I love that shirt!” can go a long way. I recognize that not everyone has the privilege of having a relationship with their father, but I thank God everyday that I have a father full of love, wisdom and empathy. He is literally my favorite human and I would not be the man I am today without him. Dad, if you’re reading this, I love you.

Chris, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Chris Wheelington, and I’ve been passionate about capturing life through a lens since middle school. My journey began when my father handed me a camera and entrusted me with documenting our family’s special moments during birthdays, holidays, and trips. Initially, I struggled, but my father recognized my potential and guided me. With his mentorship and consistent practice, I developed a natural talent for photography.

In those early days, most of my work revolved around family gatherings, but I also explored creativity by producing comedic sketches with my younger sister and sharing them on platforms like YouTube and MySpace. To my surprise, people enjoyed my content, and their positive feedback fueled my passion for storytelling.

During my junior year of high school, I took a TV Productions class at Desert Edge High School, taught by Mr. Gardener. This class provided me with a solid foundation in video editing, using Final Cut Pro on iMacs. It was here that I mastered the fundamentals, and for the past 14 years, I’ve continued to build upon those skills, constantly evolving and learning within the industry.

After graduating high school at 17, I followed in my father’s footsteps and joined the U.S. Air Force, serving as a Security Forces Patrolman for eight years. My military career included a deployment to Bagram, Afghanistan, and the honor of meeting President Barack Obama and working with President Donald Trump. Unfortunately, I suffered a severe injury that led to my early retirement from service. Faced with the question of what to do next, I turned to my lifelong passion: multimedia production.

Realizing that people had always appreciated the way I captured life, I invested in my first semi-professional camera and began taking on various photography and videography jobs while still in the military. From photoshoots and birthdays to gender reveals, I seized every opportunity to grow and refine my craft. Driven by hunger for growth, I often pushed myself beyond limits, even working 14-hour night shifts and then driving eight hours from Tucson, Arizona, to Los Angeles, California, to collaborate with experienced photographers and models—sometimes working for free just to learn and network.

By the time I transitioned out of the military in November 2019, I had already built a solid client base, a professional portfolio, and the necessary equipment to fully launch my business. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of shooting weddings, commercials, promotional branding videos, music videos, and more. Today, life is better than ever, and I’m deeply grateful for the journey.

One key lesson I carried over from my time in the military is the importance of preparation. I prioritize meeting clients in person whenever possible, even when bookings are made online. These meetings allow us to discuss their vision, align expectations, and ensure that all details—big and small—are addressed beforehand. Whether it’s identifying their best angles, discussing wardrobe, scouting locations, or planning drone shots, my goal is to ensure every shoot is seamless and exceeds expectations.

During the pandemic, I adapted to the rise in social media usage by offering a unique service: portable pop-up studios. I provided clients with everything they needed—camera gear, lighting, audio equipment, and editing services—so they could create high-quality content from the comfort of their homes. This service, which remains available today, has been a valuable solution for aspiring content creators.

In honor of my roots and those who serve, I offer a 10% discount on all services to first responders, military personnel, and veterans. My mission is to go above and beyond for every client, bringing their visions to life through meticulous planning, creative execution, and an unwavering dedication to excellence.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a creative is hearing how my work has inspired others. While I consider myself modest and prefer not to dwell on my accomplishments, I’ve had many meaningful moments where people have shared how a specific video, photoshoot, or even an organic conversation with me had a profound impact on them. These expressions of admiration are both humbling and deeply gratifying.

At times, it’s hard to believe such praise, as I’m only human—prone to making mistakes, facing imperfections, and even experiencing imposter syndrome. However, these moments serve as powerful reminders that my work resonates with people and that I am making a positive impact.

For me, the focus is always on doing my best. Whether I’m behind the camera or in the editing room, I approach each project with dedication and passion, striving to give it my all every single time.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Honestly, the two most effective sources for attracting new clients has consistently been word of mouth referrals and Instagram. When I deliver work for a client, they often share it with the world, and the first question people ask is; “Who took those?” From there, new opportunities naturally arise. Instagram has also been a powerful tool for growing my business. By consistently using targeted hashtags on my posts, I’ve been able to increase visibility and reach a wider audience. This strategy has led to direct messages from individuals inquiring about photoshoots or video projects. I am extremely grateful for social media as a tool. Nowadays, almost everyone has a smart phone and or social profiles. Use it as a tool for marketing and branding and I promise you, you will see results too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chriswheelington.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswheelington/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisWheelington2011/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriswheelington/
• Twitter: https://x.com/ChrisWheelingtn
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Chris.Wheelington

Image Credits

The credit for all the photos belong to me.