Check out Scott Chaffee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Chaffee.

Scott, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
My journey as an artist was never what I planned for myself, I thought I was going to be a scientist but film kept pulling me to it, with the constant abstract learning and unique challenging nature of creating videos it soon became my passion to create videos. From there I never could have guessed what this would mean for my life, by the time I graduated high school I had entered in local Arizona competitions like 48-hour film challenges and passion projects with other filmmakers.

I then started learning about freelancing and providing my skills for entrepreneurs and producers in Arizona so I started regularly freelancing in a very unique industry that I had no knowledge of beforehand, I had accidentally stumbled into the personal development industry and would be filming very large live events capturing the entire experience for everyone. In these events I was able to express all my skills and professionalism as well as learn the content that was being shared, I started becoming more integrated into the personal development industry and had the honor to work with some of the best speakers and entrepreneurs in the world and some of them have become my mentors and friends.

Doing live events I was able to get opportunities to show other skills I had, so I quickly jumped into technical directing and producing these events, because as good of a camera operator I was, I was equally a skilled editor and audiovisual technician and my clients started recognizing that and trusting me with more responsibilities as I was able to show them all the different hats I could wear and always over deliver on what I produce for them.

I have learned that as a creative I can’t limit myself to just one craft, I believe in stretching comfort zones because it generates new perspectives, and working in the personal development industry for over ten years now, I value this very highly. So I regularly try new things like painting on canvas, teaching workshops, handmade jewelry, playing an instrument and moderate construction projects, but the last three years I have stretched into the world of photography which might seem like an easy choice for a filmmaker but it takes a whole new understanding and creative process. I had no idea what amazing things would happen from deciding to add photography to my skill set, I love the emotional energy that a photo can express and empowering the photo subject when they see the photos, to be seen as a movie star, it lights them up and its humbling to gift someone that experience with a photo, I now try to treat everyone this way as much as possible and having photography to help expand my view of the world opened up a new creative flow after doing filmmaking creative work since 2006.
It always surprises me how after doing this for so long, I am always learning and being challenged and each day is different and unique. I am grateful to all my family, friends, clients and mentors that have supported me to this point and showed me this life is possible, That I can be my own boss and be a successful creative video producer and even though this wasn’t what I had thought my life would look like when I was a young kid dreaming about the future, I can honestly say I am living my true calling and pursuing my dream as a video producer.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I want to create something that creates an impact in your life, whether it is to stop and think for a minute or to enjoy something beautiful because it all impacts our lives in a positive way.

I like making graceful and elegant images, something that makes you melt into the experience. I focus highly on the emotional experience of the image or video clip, I believe that feeling the full spectrum of emotion is healthy and necessary so I want to encourage these feelings to all be felt.

I also really love the creative process, being there from start to end and seeing something go from nothing to something impactful. I view a lot of my projects as part of me and my identity, I put a lot of myself into the creative process, its like a thrilling rollercoaster ride when collaborating with other creatives and magic is effortlessly made.

I make videos for entrepreneurs, from start to end I’m fully involved. From concept of the script to coordinating, directing and producing the content and bringing it to completion in post-production editing.

I hope to create impact in peoples minds to live better lives. I want to help my clients tell their story as authentically and powerfully as possible.

The stereotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
First starting out as a freelancer, I was bound and determined to NOT be the ‘starving artist’ that mainstream media likes to portray onto every creative. At first I had to figure it out on my own by doing hundreds of cold-calling and building and developing relationships and building strong rapport with potential mentors, I was luckily surrounded by mentors and clients who are 1%-ers and encouraged me to see my value and recognize the sheer abundance the world has to offer so there’s no reason to do anything for free or feel under-valued.

But I would not have these opportunities of luck and collaborations if I didn’t do a few key things, I was constantly updating my demo-reel and I was never above doing a job, whether it be being a production assistant picking up trash and gathering coffee orders or directing an event with 5,000 attendees for 3 days, I did each job to the highest level I could with the same attitude and attention. Another key factor in how I navigated around my challenges was understanding that we do business with people we like, on all levels this is the case. Focus first on being a better human and having positive, authentic rapport with your clients. All my clients are my friends first and some even see me as members of their family, people don’t care what you know till they know that you care.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I keep a lot of my photo work on my Instagram @OAKimagery since I tend to use my photography as a way to experiment and practice techniques I want to try with video but most of my video work is private/commercial but I keep a handful of the commercials, wedding and events I’ve done on my website, ScottChaffee.com

Contact Info:

• Website: ScottChaffee.com
• Phone: 480-516-5173
• Email: scotty.chaffee@gmail.com
• Instagram: oakimagery

Image Credit:
Ashwini Gowda – Red Pantsuit
Aurora O’Brian – Cotton Field
Lauren Buzzard – Purple dress, blonde
Kendall Griffin – black coat, underground
D. Jacobs – light wall, shark shirt
Annie – triangle purple
Roxy – Desert landscape
Scott Chaffee – Black shirt, rusty background

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