Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Zak Selwaeh. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Zak thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

Going back to 2019, I was at a standstill in my career. I was a Marketing Major at NC State, and while I was proficient at a lot of the things they were teaching, I just wasn’t “wowed” with the projected career path. I wanted to do something unique, something where I could connect deeply with people. As an introvert, I have a lot to say – but I never have the words or courage to talk to people. When I first picked up a camera, I knew I could say a lot through my digital stories. That decision has taken me into amazing directions, starting off with just a few friends and my schools club hockey team. As my skills improved and my connections increased, I’m now receiving offers to shoot not only more sports on a grander scale, but in the music and real estate industries. I’m in no position yet to make this a full time career, but I could have never projected how fast I would grow, both in my skills and new clientele, when I picked up that camera for the first time in July of 2020.

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

I’m a 24 year old Digital Content Producer from Raleigh, North Carolina, specializing in Video Production. I look for amazing stories to tell and utilize my skillset to add an extra “jump” to make content that much more lively for the viewer. I primarily shoot sports, with some of my clients being USA Hockey, the USPHL’s Junior Hurricanes, the NGHL’s U19AAA Jr Canes Girls team, and the NC State Icepack. Having that fast paced portfolio attracted members of the music industry to hire me, which is something I’ve wanted to enter for a while since I love music videos.

I’m proud of a lot of my work. I’ve made some amazing cinematic shorts, and I’ve also made some cool social media shorts – but I’m most proud of the connections I’ve made with my clients. I love being on set and meeting people who have cool stories to tell. I never want my shoots to feel like a business transaction – I always aim to make my clients feel like we’ve known each other for years.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Yes.

Other. Creatives.

I used to be so uptight in wanting to learn and do everything on my own. Now I know I would’ve never gotten to where I am today without leaning on my creative friends. You learn the most unique lessons from other people in your industry, because they often have different perspectives that can really help your craft.

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

Being able to have my stamp on their story. If I see other people enjoy my work, and it evokes an emotion in them, then I know I’m doing something right as a creative.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/zakmediaproductions
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zak-selwaeh-312b91150/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZakSelwaeh

Image Credits
Cortez Banks – Images of me behind the scenes at Dreams to Reality shoot