Today we’d like to introduce you to Corey Hanks.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
9th grade at Hightower High School is when I was blessed with a foundation to discover my passion. For four years in H.S., I was a part of the Media Academy which had an outstanding platform and curriculum at the time and still does. My teacher throughout my years at Hightower, Ted Irving instilled so many things in me that I duplicate within my business today. Through him, I learned the production and all of the duties needed to put on a newscast. The essentials to know how to work a camera and tell a story through the lens. Then, you have video editing and even how to light a proper shot or interview. Everything seemed to be covered in this wonderful academy. However, outside of the academy, I had a love for playing football. To be honest, that came first, but at the beginning of my senior year, things would drastically change. At the beginning of the football season, I ruptured a disk in my spine, abruptly having my college football dreams come to a halt. From almost being paralyzed, three doctors confirmed my glory days were officially over. One thing still remained and never left, the media academy. I proved to my teacher that this was a strong interest of mine and he assured me that I had the talents to become successful if I continued to pursue this field in college. So, I did, I majored in Radio/TV and worked my way to receiving a degree in B.A. from Stephen F. Austin State University.
After college and a few years later, I was able to land a job at the same place I Interned while finishing up at SFA, ABC 13 here in Houston. I worked there for three and a half years specializing in producing and editing for the news and sports department. While at ABC 13, I and my friend Will Tolbert decided to start our own Video Production company, we named it Stand-By Productions. The business that I dedicate all my time to today. After my stint at ABC, I moved to KUBE 57 where I took on a bigger role as the lead Sports Producer/Photographer. During my two and half years at the KUBE, I was super blessed to be able to cover and attend the Houston Astros World Series run in 2017, NCAA Final Four in 2016, Super Bowl LI Media Day, 2017 Texas H.S. Basketball State Championship, 2018 Texas H.S. Football State Championship, the Houston Texans and local collegiate and high school level teams. I have always had a love for sports. Being able to get up close and personal to the action was God just tying my two passions together, sports and filming.
While working at both TV stations, the end goal was to try and get Stand-By Productions running at a level where that would be my main source of income. My friend Will, that helped start and develop the first few years of the business, decided to commit to a different avenue. So, since 2015, the business has been in sole possession of me. Since then, I have built the company up and to a level where I can fully work full time for myself. I haven’t let my love for sports fade away. Me and two friends, Chidi & CJ have an online video platform where we clash our opinions on the hottest local and national sports topics. Our show is called Alternative Facts which can be found on Facebook and Instagram, check it out!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
After graduating from college, finding a job in your field… easy peasy right? Yeaaah, it definitely wasn’t for me. For the first two years after graduating, I sent out over 150 resumes videos in hopes of landing an anchor or reporter job. Out of the 150 resumes I sent out, I received only three letters, one station saying I wouldn’t be a good fit and the other two were considering me. I made one last stab at trying to break into the field that I was preparing eight years prior for. I reached out to ABC 13’s Bob Slovak a sports reporter and SFA Alumni for help on possibly getting my foot in the door. He helped connect the right dots for me and that’s how I got my official start in the broadcasting world.
My challenges within my business have always been being able to balance your life and work at the same time. While working a full-time job and trying to get your business to grow, it can be tiresome and stressful. In October of 2018, I was able to take the leap of faith and fully commit to concentrating all of my efforts to Stand-By Productions. You push through countless nights of little sleep coming home after work just to chip away at your own projects. There were times I wanted to just quit on my business but there was too much effort and money invested for me let my foot off the gas. After seven years of slowly building my company and creating work for so many awesome clients, I can finally say I am an entrepreneur!
Please tell us about Stand-By Productions.
Stand-By Productions has continued to level up. For the first four years, the focus was on Videography. In 2015, I started to work develop the brand to offer photography as well. Here, in 2019, my company is recognized for specializing in both photo and video now. I have covered a lot of ground since the beginning of the company in 2011. The business was able to get kick-started from the video needs of family and friends, nothing can be successful without anyone supporting you. I am thankful my passion truly shows through my work. It speaks loudly when I continue to get referral after referral from past clients that I have done work for. I think what attracts clients to me is the ability to relate and adapt to any client and their needs. Understanding someone’s vision for a project is one thing but making it come to life exactly how they envisioned it is another. With my experience in this field for so many years, it has truly helped me be able to do that.
Throughout my time filming, I come to realize my strengths and the typically desired needs from the public. From understanding that I choose to specialize in filming weddings, events, commercials, and promotional needs. My main niche is typically weddings. I really enjoy being a huge part of someones big day. It’s one of the biggest days in peoples lives and I truly honor that. On the photography side, I cover weddings, engagement, maternity, birthdays, events, sports, and corporate or promotional needs. I look forward to continuing to grow my business and level up year after year.
In this era of creatives, videographers and photographers are popping up left and right. It’s easier now for someone to invest in a quality camera and go shoot nowadays. However, there are so many other elements to business than just the product. Things like customer service, organization, being able to adapt and conform to the client’s needs, creativity and the knowledge behind why are doing certain things. These are the attributes that will separate the true creatives over time from the ones that are doing it as a hobby now.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Honestly, there isn’t anything. God’s Plan! in my drake voice! Everything has come full circle and at this point in my life that I am at right now, it all makes sense to me. I am aware of how things might have seemed that they were taken away from me or weren’t happening when I wanted them to years back. To look back at my journey, so far, nothing was taken from me. I am literally watching God continue to place me in situations or jobs when he sees them fit for me, not when I think I am ready. That makes so much difference being able to see that now.
Pricing:
- Videography – Wedding packages start at $1,000
- Videography – Commercial/Promotional Videos start at $400
- Photography – Wedding packages start at $750
- Photography – Engagement, maternity or other photo shoots, starting price is $200
- Event photography – $100 per hour, minimum of 2 hours
Contact Info:
- Website: www.standbypro.com
- Phone: 2816589072
- Email: standbyproductionsvideo@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stand_by_productions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standbyproductionsvideo/?ref=bookmarks
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/alternativefactssports/?ref=bookmarks
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
