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

Nick , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear your thoughts about family businesses.

Film and video production for me has always been a family affair. My grandfather was a DoP for CBS in the 60s-70s then opened his own production company in Indianapolis, then eventually moved to Maui where he started a tv station.

My father worked for him growing up and then became a successful DoP and still shoots today.

I also worked for my father as a young man and now here I am. In production as 3rd generation.

I love this life style, when it’s slow I’m spending time with my family and when it’s busy I get to do something I love everyday I work.

The only real pitfalls are balance and maybe security, everytime I leave a job I’m technically unemployed and that can be hard for some folks to wrap their head around. And sometimes you only work 6-9 days a month and sometimes you work 25 so finding balance can be tough.

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

Luckily I was sorta born into the industry, being a 3rd generation film maker. After high school I just couldn’t imagine another 4 years. So I walked out of orientation called my dad and asked for a job. Next thing I know I’m on set. As for others wanting in the film industry I won’t sugar coat it, it’s tough. Probably don’t need a college education however you might find the film community where you live to be overly protective, some what gate kept, almost a secret club of goofy artists. Creatives can be incredibly kind people but gettin in their worlds can be hard. Find their hang outs, work on their passion projects, ask if you can lend a hand or shadow people. Bottom line it takes time. Could easily take someone 3-5 years to become a well paid successful member of a local film community.

I started out shooting video about 20 years ago but quickly fell in love with lighting, anyone who takes photos or video professionally knows that lighting often will make your shot. So I put the camera down for a long time and spent most of my career lighting sets and my free time as a photographer.

However over the last couple years that’s began to change. I’ve picked up some very special film cameras over the last few years and have been shooting more and more which has been a real treat!

As for the type of work I make. That’s tough because often the subject determines the style. I’m not interested in having all my images have the same color palette or similar look. I want my images to reflect the subject in a way that’s respectful and true to whatever that subject might be.

I’m proud of a lot that I’ve done in this industry. Maybe most of all the friendships! I’ve met amazing people all over the world and call lots of the local community some of my best friends not everyone gets that at work. Some people hate who they work with… I couldn’t live like that.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I don’t think instagram is great for this anymore but I attribute a lot of growth and showing people my style to social media. Instagram makes it easy to not only find the things to distract you but also to find communities of people with like interests.

Also a lot of film makers create passion projects with friends when things are slow or we are bored and there was a time where if almost anyone asked for help on their film I said yes, and I sorta still do so long as it’s something that feels worth making but that helps you meet folks wanting to make quality work.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Everyday I come to set I know I’m helping to make something that’s never been made before.

Obviously people have taken photos and shot videos… but no too shoots are the same plus you mix up the crew a little mix the cameras a little and it’s no different than different brushes and different paint. Can’t help but make something new.

It makes everyday exciting and a challenge to take the space, people, story of the day and make it beautiful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.savagecatfilmphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savagecat_film_photo?igsh=dXprZ2tzdjViNWE0&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@savagecatphoto?si=pklk7ykQ_bgOsvs5
• Other: Gaffer instagram

  https://www.instagram.com/savagecat_gripelectric?igsh=MWVlN2Riajk3d2FhNw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits

Nick Kartes
Savage cat film & photo