Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex O’Toole.
Hi Alex, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
So I’ve been a creative for a long time. It started in high school when I was introduced to graphic design. I took photoshop all 4 years and fell in love with the creative process. After high school I went to college for graphic design and illustration not yet having a full idea of what I was interested in. Fast forward a handful of years when I started getting involved at my local church. They had a photo and video team which is where my journey in the media world began. There would be small projects that were available to work on that really pushed me into the direction that I have followed up to now.
I got my first camera about 10 years ago. It was something super low quality like a Nikon d3200 with a 50mm lens. Over the years of using it, and working hard to grow my skills, I learned how much of the end product was not based on your equipment but on your ability to visualize and tell a story. I spent a lot of hours on Youtube self teaching. I actually have zero learning experience inside a school when it comes to media. That isn’t to say education is useless, but it’s just incredible in 2022 what information is available to anyone with access to the internet.
When Covid hit in 2020 I was working a full time job at a flooring company while trying to make something of my talents. I spent about two years prior doing freelance work just trying to make a career out of it. I absolutely could not see myself working in a regular 9-5 job. In January of 2021 I was let go of my full time job. Right around the same time, I actually landed my very first retainer client. So I found myself in one of those life decision moments where I had to choose. Either find another job or go after this thing and try to build something.
In January of 2021 I launched Viewz Creative, a media production company in St. Louis. This January was our first full year of operation and we’re so pumped for the year ahead. We plan to launch an entire community side of the business that exists to help Inspire, Improve and Involve all creatives in the St. Louis area. We will start with quarterly meetups to get creatives together, then in 2023, officially launch a fully operational ‘Creative Camp’. This camp will be a paid event that creatives can attend, to not only receive a directly applicable high level of value, but also offer hands on opportunities to grow their skills in an inclusive environment.
We have a lot of passion for this because we see how much creativity is untapped here. I have personally talked with many creatives and the same belief seems to run with them all. St. Louis is a strong but closed environment. My hope and goal is to create a space for all creatives to come and find encouragement, inspiration, improvement, and a place they can be involved in the conversation. Theres a high level of competition here but we believe that theres more to be had when we’re together.
“What you can do on your own will result in addition, but what we can do together will always result in multiplication.”
So here’s to building community that actually makes a difference in the creative world. I think we have an incredible opportunity on our hands and we’re laser focused on making a difference.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting a business is hard! Let me start there. But man is it rewarding when you start to gain some traction and begin to see your vision come to life.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Personally I have started to really love film photography and videography. Although it’s a visual liking of mine, my highest desire is to find the best people for the job. I’ve committed to giving up the opportunity to someone that can do it better for the sake of the project. Someone told me one time, “Noone is a 10 at everything, but everyone is a 10 at something.” So, my goal as an artist but more specifically a creative director of a brand/company is to empower every “10” I can find to sit in the right seat on the bus. If I can do that, then I think thats when I will feel most fulfilled as a creative.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
HIGH RISK, HIGH REWARD.
I took a huge risk when I decided to go after this company instead of finding another job once I was let go.
Funny enough I actually pulled a lot of my inspiration from a Tiktok. I can’t remember his name but theres a Tiktoker that waits for wealthy people to drive off in their exotic cars then asks them what they do for a living. One gentleman said after being asked for advice, “Find something you’re passionate about and do it yourself. You’ll never get wealthy off of someone else’s money.” That sentence put so much fire under me.
So the moment I decided to not look for another job was a huge risk, but has been the best decision I’ve ever made.
Pricing:
- Video Day Rate (8hrs) – $1500
- Video Half Day Rate (4hrs) – $750
- Photo Sessions (4hrs) – $500
Contact Info:
- Email: viewzcreativemedia@gmial.com
- Website: www.viewzcreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viewzcreative/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/viewzcreative
