Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Winfield.
Christopher, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I began my photographic journey during my sophomore year in high school. I joined the media department of youth and government and won an award at our district conference.
I essentially had no skills or knowledge of the industry, I simply held a few humors interviews and won the award. I returned home to two job offers, one from my now mentor Lee Loveless, a photographer, and another from Lance Angel, my high schools head football coach. Through these positions, I developed an interest in the field and began to hone my craft.
After Highschool I attended Sam Houston and studied Broadcast Production. I worked with the Houstonian, Conroe Courier, Channel 7 News, SHSU Basketball, and Football team producing content and shooting. I began working at Fox Sports in the Woodlands as a highlight editor and worked my way up to becoming a Master Control Operator during my Masters.
I quickly realized that Fox Sports wasn’t for me, I missed creating and left my full-time position there. I finished my masters in Digital Media Studies and started my company, Forever Reel. I’ve been traveling, shooting documentaries, weddings, music videos, and commercials since graduation and I haven’t looked back once.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road by any means. Clientele fluctuates, people ripped me off and never paid their debts for work owed. One client owed me $5,000 that I needed for tuition but refused to pay and essentially ghosted me. My roommate disappeared around the same time and left me with all of the bills. My family isn’t well off enough to support themselves and me, so I had to figure it out on my own.
Of course, they helped when they could, but I’d much rather handle my own burdens and problems than to impose my struggles on them. So I had to quickly recover and figure things out. I’ve had people use me to gain contracts, under the pretense that we’d share the client, and once we attained sed client, they left me out of the equation altogether and purchased the newest version of all of the equipment that I used.
I’ve created projects with people, do all of the work, just to have them pull my name from the credits and run to LA to push it as their own. I’ve faced a ton trying situations, but I thank God that I always managed to pull through better than ever.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Forever Reel is a commercial film and photography company that provides a life long representation of a fleeting memory. I believe that photography and film are the only mediums that can truly stop time, and allow our clients the opportunity to relive their most precious moments time and time again. I specialize in documentary and commercial work. I love to tell real stories about real people, doing real things, that matter.
I’m known for travel photography and films, as well as weddings, and music videos. I’m most proud of my most recent project, “One Brick at a Time.” The Story of Moses Onyango, and the way that he has changed his community in Tororo Uganda. I believe that what sets my company apart from every other individual with a camera, is simply my goal and attitude toward the client and project.
I want what’s best for everyone, whether it be a wedding video, commercial or music video. I want to show who my subject is and create something that reflects them in the purest and most original way. If it’s a project that I can’t support, then I won’t shoot it. I truly love what I do, and I believe that it shows in my work. I believe that my work ethic and motivation sets me apart from everyone else.
I’m a small town kid who was blessed enough to make it out. Where I’m from, If you get stuck, you either work at the prison or Walmart warehouse and that it. There is no real opportunity. If you happened to make it out, you’re supposed to become a lawyer, doctor, or accountant. My choice of career was frowned upon and taken as a joke. I motivated to show that I can make it as a cinematographer and that there’s more to life than the confines of Palestine Texas.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I do believe that Houston is a great place to start because it is filled with creatives and opportunity. Houston has a southern hospitality vibe in the industry. Everyone’s willing to connect and collaborate as long as they get their share or portion, as opposed to a cut-throat industry like LA or NY.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1900 westview blvd Apt #134
- Website: foreverreel.tv
- Phone: 9033948669
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foreverreel.tv/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForeverReel.TV/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/foreverreeltv
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