Today we’d like to introduce you to Antonio Schuelke.
Hi Antonio, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I began as an art major at Cal State University San Marcos in hopes of getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Arts. While attending school at the university I was a tutor at my old high school for three years preparing students for higher education. I tried to be as transparent to my student as possible by encouraging them to pursue a career in which they will actually enjoy. Following my third year in college, I had the opportunity to move into a content house in the Summer of 2020 as a videographer and photographer. I was only supposed to be there for a few short days, but I saw a good opportunity and ran with it. I began to make friends within the content houses such as, Isaak Presley, Chase Keith, Sebastian Topete, Chris Romero, Madi Monroe and other creators in the social media field. I then began to work with a company that makes clothing brands and started to make clothing brands for creators such as Vinnie Hacker. I’ve always wanted to work with music some way or another and finally had the opportunity be brought on as Isaak Presley’s personal photographer for his music campaigns. Just by working and grinding to where I want to be I’ve had the privilege to work with other talents such as Sunny Suljic, Jaden Hossler, Machine Gun Kelly, Nessa Barrett and Charly Jordan.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Every person that chooses this career path knows that it won’t be an easy ride. If it were easy, then everyone would do it. It takes a lot of mental capacity to wake up every day and keep pushing in order to reach the goal that you set for yourself. The biggest part of pursing this career begins with taking the first step. Into the career. Being a creative is not socially accepted in many cases. For example, my high school teachers and old coworkers would express that being a creative is not a secure job and we should pursue a stereotypical job, which includes working a 9-5 or picking a college major that looks the most appealing to a regular person. All respect to those who choose that, but it was just a life I could not live for myself. It was very hard for me in college to realize that at the end of the day if I am not happy with what I’m studying then how am I supposed to be happy later in my life. Though, for however many obstacles I’m faced with any sort of positive outcome I receive always outweighs the bad.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I usually like to keep a low profile when it comes to my personal life, but when it comes to my work, I’m more open than ever. I’m currently the creative director for our company Transparency BH. We specialize in brand development and management for creators, such as creating Vinnie Hacker’s brand called Purgatory. Aside from the business aspect, I primarily shoot 35mm film portraits as well as video work. I enjoy shooting film rather than digital because the film aesthetic is just a feeling that digital cannot replicate. I try to differentiate my
shooting style as oppose to other creatives in order to have a signature style that I found to love. I also take inspiration from other artists such as, Gunner Stahl, Quentin Tarantino, Tyler, The Creator, Joe Greer and Willem Verbeek. All have a different style of art that they create and I believe that finding inspiration from other sources of art can elevate my work. One main thing about my work is that I heavily dislike disposable cameras because when I need to drop off film rolls to my lab there’s usually a big delay due to a heavy load of disposable cameras.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Networking is very critical as a creative that gets overlooked often. Some creatives do not establish the very thin line between clients and relationships. I never see a person as a potential client first. To elaborate more, I found that building strong relationships with the people you work with is far more beneficial long term because it helps both parties. In terms of rates and payments, most creatives would rather get a quick pay day than be actively involved with the creative side. I believe that making something special should always come before a payment is made because then that is when your best work comes out. Passion projects will always be more beneficial in my opinion because it really tests how much of a creative a person actually is.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: antonioschuelke.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schvelke/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQUHLHo0BMBhkOV1LlhKrhQ
