Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Chippendale.
Shawn, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Some of my earliest memories were helping my family cook and just play in the kitchen. I loved all things creative and watching the early pioneers of celebrity chefs. Later on, my love of food grew and it led me to pursue a degree and career in hospitality. My obsession has led me many beautiful places and among the company of many incredibly talented people, such as David Chang and Barbara Lynch. Along the way, I was always exploring and photographing my experiences with food and when I finally met some food photographers a light bulb went off that I was preparing my whole life for this. I started to take the craft of telling stories and art of photography more seriously to better bring others along with me. I realized that my greatest talent was being an ambassador for these other artisans. I would shoot images and video for my previous employers and just about anything else, just for practice. I love the freedom of this job to one day be with a small “Mom & Pop” shop, the next with a big brand, and then later, shooting street vendors in a town I just got lost in. To this day, I still believe making images is very similar to cooking and every day I’m shooting is a happy and filling day.
Has it been a smooth road?
Some aspects of my career seemed to fall right into place, but none of it has been easy. It has taken some serious risks and plenty of hard work. I think anyone working around food will know there are hardships involved, but working with so many creative and talented people and seeing the results of our hard work on others faces has made all of it worth it. I have always had a weird schedule, so when I merged into photography it was almost as against the grain as a normal schedule. I quickly learned that being a photographer would require a lifetime of continuous learning, just like when one studies wine. Buying a fancy camera is just like buying a proper knife and nothing more, another tool to accomplish a vision. I would say my greatest challenge would be the business side of things since I have spent most of my life as a creative and always had others to help me on that side. Being an entrepreneur isn’t easy for anyone, but it’s worth it, especially when you are exploring your passions.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Shawn Chippendale Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
The scope of my photography business includes restaurants and their food and drinks, commercial brands and their products, travel, and tourism, and the occasional event or family portrait. My extensive career in the hospitality business really helps me communicate with these professionals, as well as the people they serve and I’m proud to do so. My clients use these images to increase their professional appearances, whether it’s online or in print. Our goal is to showcase subjects in the most modern, flattering way possible, without fancy tricks or fake ingredients. We work quickly with real food and the images speak for themselves. A lot of time those low-light action shots in tight spaces are our favorite shots and most rewarding!
In general, I believe my business’ greatest skill is my flexibility. We aren’t confined to a studio for commercial brands and are highly mobile. We pass those savings onto our clients and enjoy the challenge of our varied shoots.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Technology and the spread of information are rapidly changing every career and industry and it’s definitely changing mine. More and more people are gaining knowledge of the food business and capturing those experiences. There will always be a need for highly technical shoots with great gear, but it is becoming even more important to shoot more frequently, in any way possible. I believe local bloggers will become even more important as media changes, but there will always be a need for professionals, such as myself, who are dedicated to our craft and individual service we provide. Being a commercial artist will always involve listening to your client and tailoring your service to their goal, not yours.
Brands are also trying to reach their targeted audiences more precisely and with greater creativity how they do this. I believe there will be even more people using video to capture these audiences. My greatest hope is that someone invents “Smell-a-Vision”!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.SChippendale.com
- Phone: 832-404-1969
- Email: shawn@schippendale.com
- Instagram: @schippendale
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