Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Welch
Hi Scott, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
There is so much depth to every story, and often, once that depth is revealed, we realize that as humans, we struggle with a lot of the same things. My story starts in a religious fanatical group (an extremist sect of Christianity) in the Texas hill country. Cut off from the outside world, I was pushed to perfection in every way. Overtime, as I drifted from that community, I began to revolt against all I was forced underneath, finding chaos as the solution to the hurt I carried, and my unresolved skeletons in the closet. As the pendulum swung, I became exactly what I dreaded the most: a dishonest, shallow, fast and dangerous version of a human. Out of this chaos, Club 222 Productions was born. My brother Shelton Taylor technically originated the concept of giving up-and-coming artists a chance to showcase their work while also filling and assisting underperforming venues and spaces. For me personally, the next party held the answer, and I put my life on the line to create these incredible experiences for myself and others. After a few years of learning very difficult lessons, making many major mistakes, and simultaneously slowly growing an awesome community of artists and fans across Southern California, we have come into the next chapter of our journey, both personally and professionally. We are redefining Club 222 Productions with conscious purpose, building upon profitability, honesty, and respect while also seeking to make a positive difference in the world around us. Producing clandestine, monthly pop-ups for artists in Los Angeles and Orange County, we are bringing people together in safe spaces to express themselves.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been anything but smooth. One thing we have learned is that there is no chance for consistency when you cut corners. As we try too build something that lasts, and is defined by integrity and beauty, we are finding simplicity, ensuring quality of team members, and doing the hard things first as some of the most pivotal aspects of our process. One struggle we faced was the loss of our biggest venue, which had held us for over a year and made us a lot of income. This flagship space in downtown Laguna was a beautiful club, but we did not treat the management or city around us with care and respect, and therefore lost the space to other production companies. This turned out to be beneficial in two ways. First, it caused us to expand beyond our limited view of Laguna Beach as our only city to throw events in. Within a few months, we were hosting events from downtown Los Angeles to San Diego. Secondly, it helped us learn the value of understanding and adherence to due diligence in terms of local laws, demographics, booking, and marketing, redefining the whole of our operations.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a photographer, and in today’s world, this can carry so many varied definitions. For me, I dive into interacting with the model or client on a very personal level, seeking to create art that stops people in their tracks, stands the test of time, and shares a glimpse of the muse or brand’s essence. I am known for specializing in 35mm lifestyle work, capturing events, and bringing new faces into the modeling world. Along these lines, I am extremely proud of my catalogue of work, spanning 200’000 plus photos and 10 years, as well as some of my recent projects, such as photographing Odesza as apart of their “ECHOS” art installation at the final 3 shows of their “The Last Goodbye” tour in July 2024. Such projects bring meaning and purpose to my career, and enable me to know that I am helping impact others for good.
How do you define success?
I define success as peace. I define it as being able to help others in greater and greater ways. I define it as simplicity, consistency, and essentialism. Success is failing well, and coming back to do better.
Pricing:
- Club 222 Tickets: $20
- Full-Scale Event Production: $1500 (starting)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://club222.webflow.io
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/club222productions/
- Other: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLER7F7C0WMHC/checkout/N5BEMY6BABS6R74TTWREUTYQ
Image Credits
Photos by Scott Welch and Club 222 Angels
