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

Simon, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

One of the ways my production company stands out is that we work with non-profits focused on creating sustainable communities. A project that stands out for me is when we partnered with E4 Project to help them create photo & video material needed for three years worth of fundraising & marketing relating to a hospital they support in Nebobongo, D.R. Congo. We created a plan which allowed us to maximize the growth potential of the organization with our time on location. A few of the projects which were completed through our efforts include:

– growing the financial support for the hospital & its ~100 congolese employees
– purchase a brand new Land Cruiser ($100,000) to replace a 1982 Land Rover the hospital was still using in 2017
– raise $13,000 to finish a brick elementary school so thatch hut classrooms were no longer needed
– growth of malnutrition programs for kids under the age of 5 & malaria prevention programs
– expand clean water access to over 20,000 people in the area

Our ability to bring these stories to life in an engaging way for potential donors allowed them to get these projects funded more quickly.

Simon, 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?

I’ve been fortunate to spend my entire life exploring as my family would take an annual two week summer vacation somewhere new. Traveling to remote parts of the world began during my freshman year of college when I helped my dad (who’s an engineer) with a project he was doing in Burkina Faso. I fell into photography during college when it was the only fine arts elective which fit my schedule while playing on a division 2 soccer team.

Starting a business in photography & video production happened because I wanted to have a flexible schedule where I’d be able to go overseas to support non-profits & NGOs working to create sustainable communities in different places. As my professional career took off, I began to realize that the most successful projects all involved helping businesses & non-profits which were looking to do more than make money… They wanted to leave an impact as well. I’ve been fortunate to work on projects with large corporations like Trex discussing sustainability partnerships keeping plastic film out of landfills, small non-profits like E4 Project supporting the hospital in D.R. Congo, and everything in-between.

Using various storytelling techniques, we help our clients achieve their growth goals with engaging media that draws in customers, clients, and donors. We also look long term at our clients goals to make sure what we create today will help them for multiple years maximizing their return on investment. Every project is different, and I bring together the people who fit best for each client on every project. Whether we are creating a full media package with a photo library and variety of videos for different platforms/audiences or just one specific piece of content needed to achieve a targeted goal, we will make what is the best fit for a client’s needs instead of just trying to make something for the sake of putting media out.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Something every photographer hears at some point in their career is “can’t you just bring your camera and take a couple photos” or “you’re only taking a couple photos. It’s not that hard” as reasons why they shouldn’t be charging the price they do for a project. Everyone sees the glitz & glamour of a final product, but doesn’t see all the work it took getting there. There is so much more that goes into a creative business including things like the development of skills & style, business expenses, and the physical toll on our bodies. Getting our equipment to & from locations is sometimes the hardest part of a project, and I spend countless hours in the gym ensuring I am physically capable of accomplishing a project wherever a client may need to go. There’s also a lot which happens after the imagery is captured that isn’t seen before final delivery. Our ability to create memorable media content that delivers on a customers’ needs is developed over time, which enables us to return a final product that results in a happy customer.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My personal belief is that everyone wants the same three things from life:

– Basic needs met (food, water, shelter, clothes)
– Their kids to have a better education than they had
– Joy in life

Exactly what that looks like for everyone is different depending on their location, religious beliefs, hobbies, and upbringing. However, no-one should have to become a refugee for any reason other than war making their home inhabitable. Someone shouldn’t have to leave their home because they are unable to find work, put food on the table, and keep a roof over their head. Everyone should also have easy access to clean potable water.

My goal professionally is to work on as many projects that are enabling people to thrive in their chosen community. Whether I am helping a small business owner so that they can put food on their family’s table or a non-profit providing clean water access to remote villages, this is what led me to starting the Common Cultures Podcast. The podcast is an opportunity to showcase people from different places and backgrounds discussing their lives and how they’re all looking for the same core things from life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.seisenbach.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simoneisenbach/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seisenbachproductions
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simon-eisenbach-productions
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/seisenbachproductions
• Other: https://substack.com/@commonculturespod?utm_source=user-menu

Image Credits

1- Benedick David Photography
2- Andy Morris
3- Paul Beeman
4-6- Simon Eisenbach