We recently connected with Corbin Smith and have shared our conversation below.

Corbin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One deeply underappreciated facet of being an entrepreneur or creative is the kind of crazy stuff that happens from time to time. It could be anything from a disgruntled client attacking an employee or waking up to find out a celebrity gave you a shoutout on TikTok – the sudden, unexpected hits (both positive and negative) make the profession both exhilarating and exhausting. Can you share one of your craziest stories?

I’m a huge believer of blessings in disguise. I think that things happen for a reason and we never really know why until it comes to fruition. For me, it was getting my first camera and gear stolen from me.

I decided to take my camera, both of my lenses and some other equipment with me to a pool day with some friends. That night, I decided – for some stupid reason – that it was better for me to keep my camera bag in my trunk rather than in my friends’ apartment. Upon returning to my car, I noticed my car had been broken into and a good amount of my items were stolen – including thousands of dollars of camera gear.

Although I was distraught for months, I was surrounded by support. I had so many people donate to me in order to get myself a new camera and return to pursuing my passion. I’m so blessed to have those people in my life, and I hope they know that they helped me get back to the path I’m on currently.

Due to the unfortunate circumstance, I was forced to delve into the intricacies of camera work. I learned why some cameras are better than others, what I should be looking for in specific models and gained new life experience that has, honestly, had an unexpectedly profound impact in my professional & personal life. It even solidified that this is a passion of mine and something I wanted to invest in rather than give up. Even though I loved my first camera, I am very thankful for the lessons I’ve been forced to learn via losing it.

Corbin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

So, I started my journey with photography in 2021 (My sophomore year of college). I had to take a sports photography class that was required for my degree. Since I was busy as a track & field athlete, I often took my camera to meets in order to do my assignments. Eventually, I solidified myself as the team’s photographer and began to enjoy taking pictures despite swearing I would never pick up a camera.

Once I graduated college, I decided I wanted to continue doing creative media stuff while also finding a way to utilize my degree. So, I picked up sports graphic design skills as well as beginning to venture into videography. Since working on the NCAA’s social media team at the 2024 NCAA DII Indoor T&F Championships, I’ve been focusing on building my brand and starting my creative media business.

Now, I think a large portion of my brand is about helping people remember a cherished moment. Helping people relive times they enjoy deeply. For me, its about the experience with my clients and making sure their vision is captured and they’re satisfied with what they hire me for. The fact that I get to do that in my own creative way is the fun part.

If there’s anything I want people to know about my brand is that it’s flexible. My capabilities shouldn’t be confined to one method, one style, one idea. I like to collaborate. I like to get things people haven’t seen before, and I think every client has their own story/vision/idea that nobody else has.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I think my goal is just to enjoy. Enjoy creating content, enjoy meeting new people, enjoy traveling, enjoy learning. I think a lot of people, especially when it comes to financial or entrepreneurial endeavors, focus so much on getting somewhere at a certain time and doing it a certain way. I think my goal is just to find a spot where I find joy in what I’m doing. The money, people and whatever else will come in its own time. I just want to learn how to make cool photos/videos/graphics and have time to enjoy the work I’ve done.

I mean, yes. Financial stability is a real goal as well, but isn’t that everybody? If I have money but no joy, there’s no point.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Making art that people truly enjoy.

This can lead to some pretty dark voids, but the rush of knowing you helped someone achieve a vision hits harder than anything else I’ve done. Or getting a candid moment and then people have that moment saved somewhere for when their memory fails them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bycsmedia.myportfolio.com/home
• Instagram: @bycsmedia
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corbin-smith-b585b719a/