We recently connected with Tad Sallee and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tad, thanks for joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I’m grateful to be able to earn a full-time living from my creative work, but it’s been a journey with its share of twists and turns. My love for the creative arts started with acting—I’ve always found something deeply compelling about stepping into different roles and telling stories through performance. But even as I pursued acting, there was this persistent pull toward being behind the camera, where I could shape the narrative from a broader perspective.
This led me to establish TS Cinema, focusing on commercial/wedding work and PlayTest Network, our documentary brand, where I could channel that passion into something more tangible.

In the early days, balancing a full-time job with my growing business was exhausting. I was working 80-hour weeks, trying to keep up with both worlds. By 2020, it became clear that if I truly wanted to succeed in this industry, I had to take a leap of faith. So, in the midst of a global pandemic, I made the decision to go full-time with my businesses.
Quitting my job in 2020 was a huge risk, especially in such uncertain times, but I knew that 2021 held promise.

Thankfully, that promise became reality, and my businesses not only sustained me but thrived. From that moment on, I haven’t looked back, and I’ve been fortunate to see the financial and creative rewards of following my passion.
Looking back, I realize that I could have accelerated my progress by setting more specific goals each year. If I had taken the time to define where I wanted to be—both financially and in my career—I might have reached this point sooner. But every step of the journey has been a learning experience, and I’m grateful for how it’s shaped me and my business.

Tad, 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 always had what you might call a “creative itch.” I couldn’t stay away from the arts. My mom was a huge inspiration—she always encouraged me to follow my passions. And, as they say, “You are who you hang out with,” so I made sure to surround myself with creatively inspired friends.

Now, I don’t like to put myself in just one category, but if I had to pick, I’d say I’m first and foremost a filmmaker and editor. I’ve tackled just about every job that’s come my way, from commercial work to editing projects of all sizes. I’m also a wedding filmmaker and photographer, though the road to photography was a bit of a twisty one.

Back in college, I started out as a videographer—mostly to make some beer money, if I’m being honest. I was pretty set on sticking to video and swore I’d never touch a photo camera. In fact, I kind of hated photographers, especially at weddings. I mean, let’s face it, they don’t have nearly as much work and or gear as videographers, so I was a bit snooty about that career.

But life has a funny way of humbling you. Clients kept asking me if I offered photography services, and eventually, I thought, “Why not?” So, during the pandemic, I decided to teach myself photography. Turns out, I’ve got a knack for it—and now it’s a full-blown passion. These days, I actually do more photography work than videography. Funny how things change, right? I guess the lesson here is, never shoot anything down for yourself. (Pun intended)

What sets me apart is my versatility and my journey through the different facets of this industry. I’m proud of the fact that I’ve been able to adapt and grow, whether it’s behind the camera or in the editing suite. And while my path has been anything but conventional, it’s been incredibly rewarding. I want potential clients to know that whether it’s capturing the perfect moment at a wedding or creating compelling visual content for a brand, I bring passion, creativity, and a touch of humor to everything I do.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Its the incredible feeling of getting paid to bring someone’s vision to life. There’s nothing quite like the fulfillment that comes from earning a living by having others trust you to creatively tell their story. No matter the story—there’s always a unique narrative to explore, and I thrive on that challenge.

What I love most is that I get to do the work I’m passionate about, without being tied down to a job that doesn’t inspire me. Every day, I have the freedom to dive into projects that excite me, and that’s a privilege I never take for granted.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Support your artist and creative friends! Its free to like a video, leave a supportive comment or sending an encouraging text message. Don’t be afraid of showing that support, it helps more than you know.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.tscinema.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tadtadboom/
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tsweddingcinema
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tadsallee/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TSCinema

Image Credits

Photo Credits By
Sam Savat
Danny Adelman