We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christopher Shaibi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christopher below.

Alright, Christopher thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Full-time filmmaking is a rewarding career that offers the opportunity to create and showcase original art, explore different cultures, and build interpersonal connections. On the other hand, being an employee also comes with many benefits, such as job security, stability, health insurance, retirement plans etc. Both have their drawbacks and benefits, and up to the individual to decide which best fits their personal preferences. In my opinion, self employment is the better option. I make my own schedule, I make as much money as I’d like to make, and I decide who I’d like to work with. It’s really an ideal situation.

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

I started filming music videos by familiarizing myself with the equipment necessary, such as cameras, lighting, and editing. I mostly learned through trial and error and by watching instructional videos on youtube. What changed everything is when I reached out to a notable hip hop duo and asked if I could record their upcoming music video. They agreed, and it ended up going viral on youtube garnering over 4 million views. That was exciting, encouraging, and fueled my fire to continue on my filming journey. After a couple of years, I was able to build up a portfolio of work, and now I am able to work on professionally-commissioned projects.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I started small, taking on independent projects and developing my skills as a music video director. I gradually built a reputation and I kept pushing myself to learn more and create better and more complex projects. As a result, it’s helped build a strong reputation within my client group and with prospective clients as well.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Luckily, I’m able to think and act in creative ways while also being methodical and rational in my decisions. I know when to challenge myself and when to be more grounded. I enjoy problem solving and coming up with fresh ideas, but I also have the skills to weigh the positives and negatives of each option and make an educated decision. My logical side helps to check my creativity and ensure that I’m making practical choices. Sometimes it’s necessary to think outside of the box or consider different perspectives but remember, there is a balance between the two – too much of either one can lead to ineffective or impractical results.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chriscameraguy.wixsite.com/chriscameraguy
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/chriscameraguy
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-shaibi-706b3b211
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@chriscameraguy5381

Image Credits
J Moncrief