Today we’d like to introduce you to Spencer Sease.
Spencer, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in Richmond, VA; my mom was a creative consultant for photographers so I was exposed to the industry from a young age. Growing up I used to make short stop motion videos with my toys and messing around with my brother. I eventually started taking photos and making music videos for friends and eventually went to film school at VCU. After a year and half, I was sick of being in a classroom so I dropped out of college and traveled around A LOT for few years. At first I worked pretty heavily in the music industry doing content before I slowly shifted towards advertising. Eventually I wound up in LA in 2019 and continued to work in photo/video production. Since then I’ve been really grateful to meet a ton of other creative and clients that have helped me grow over the years!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not. There have been so many challenges over the years that have really tested me. Dealing with rejection, trying to get enough money to make it in the early days, and super long hours are just some of the things that challenged me. There are weeks where I put in 60-70 hours and it feels taxing but I can’t imagine doing anything else. I feel like this industry is one that you have to have a strong sense of resiliency in, because theres so much chaos that can happen and sink even the most well planned course. I remember when I first moved to LA living in a one bedroom apartment with two other people and sleeping on the floor countless nights in random airports just to wake up and fly and shoot. I feel like now in my career I’m at a point where I feel like I have stability and comfort and I’m super grateful of the hardwork and sacrifice throughout the years that went into getting here.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I mostly specialize in short form content and photoshoots for brands and artists. My main focus has always been just shooting people because it’s what I love to do. I’ve dabbled in other aspects but honestly my creativity feels very driven by being able to capture people in both more authentic lifestyle shoots and more conceptual work. Honestly what I’m most proud of is still having a still growing passion to make stuff. I’ve been shooting for about 14 years and even though theres times where I’ve felt burnt out, it’s still what drives me and inspires me. I’ve done projects and work that I’ve been really proud of, especially when I see it reach a big platform but at the end of the day I’m really just proud that I still have the desire to shoot even in my free time. Even at the base level. just being able to pay the bills off making stuff alone honestly is an achievement for creatives. I think people sometimes forget because we get caught up wanting more that we forget to just be grateful and recognize the privilege that what we have to be able to do that.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is honestly just riding my bike in the summer with my brother and buying an entire tub of ice cream and World of Warcraft Mountain Dew and consuming it all behind the store. I love the sense of freedom that you have as a kid in those small moments.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.spencersease.com
- Instagram: spencer.sease
