We had the good fortune of connecting with Lindsay Vitale and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lindsay, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I think like a lot of success stories, mine started from failure. I had graduated with my MFA in filmmaking and was desperate to break into the industry as an assistant working with some big fancy production company, but I was having no real luck getting my foot in the door. While applying for jobs, I would shoot marketing photos and videos for my friend’s and family’s small businesses and passion projects as a way to earn extra cash. I had originally resisted working in the commercial side of filmmaking. To me, it felt like the sterile, cookie-cutter big brand ad campaigns were completely devoid of authenticity and storytelling. But as social media’s capabilities grew, so too did the marketing opportunities afforded to smaller businesses and brands, and I suddenly found myself drawn to the possibility of a new type of branding video production. Then, of course, COVID hit, and it was like the push I needed to let go of my original plan of working for a production company, and I realized I had the capability of starting my own!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
A year ago, when I would introduce myself as a brand videographer, or offer brand videos in addition to my photo services, people didn’t really understand what that meant. I think up until now, professional video production was deemed unnecessary and unaffordable for so many small businesses. But thanks to TikTok and Instagram Reels, video has become the number one type of content across social platforms, and it’s introduced the possibility of professional video production being conducted on a smaller, more accessible scale.

As a filmmaker, I’m excited that this medium is becoming more accessible for individuals and small brands, but I also recognize how intimidating it can be to have to learn another skillset to win the social media algorithm over. With a background in theater and narrative filmmaking, I offer clients high quality video and photo content that is grounded in traditional storytelling techniques. I think that’s what separates me from other commercial video producers out there: I put story first with my work – the fancy gear and flashy shots are worthless if you’re not intentional about connecting with your audience.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
San Diego has the best weather, so one of my favorite things to do is walk around and explore neighborhoods! I’d probably start with my own neighborhood of Normal Heights, we’d get coffee and breakfast sandwiches at Dos Palmas, then make our way down Adams Avenue popping in to cute shops like Wild Island Collective, Kiko + Sven, and La Loupe Vintage, grab some fancy cocktails at Polite Provisions, and then dinner with some delicious Vietnamese food at DAO fu.

Also on the agenda would be spending our days wandering around South Park, North Park, and of course, a beach day in Ocean Beach (on a Wednesday so we can hit up the farmer’s market that evening).

At some point we’d also need to go for a directionless drive on the one, where we could pull off somewhere scenic for sunset!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Of course I’d need to first shoutout my family, mom, dad, Kaelyn, and my partner, James, for answering all my frantic phone calls asking for advice and helping me to battle my self doubt.

I also want to recognize all the fellow women entrepreneurs and passion pursuers in my life that have supported and inspired me: Kelly Hamilton (Bake & Bacon), Alessandra Rosser, and Melissa Crastnopol (Soulutions Coaching & Consulting)! Being by your sides through this journey has been the best part, and I am so excited to watch you all continue to grow and find success!

Website: www.scorpiorisingmedia.com

Instagram: @scorpiorisingmedia

Other: TikTok: @scorpiorisingmedia

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