Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Splon.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I wasn’t a normal kid, but what is normal nowadays? at 13 was hired by a video production studio, “Railthree” that was run by a Columbia College Chicago Professor. I initially took a class there on editing and was offered work within a couple of weeks. At 15 I was opening and closing the studio while my friends went to practice for whatever sport it was that season. My Mentor, Tom Sullivan, the owner, passed away from Cancer. This man was a saint and I was torn apart. I went to Columbia, Thinking I knew everything about visuals/video, so I focused on business. After working in corporate America for large companies, I was done. I wanted to get back to my passion and photography and video was it. It was hard, I had to move back with my parents, they weren’t so sure about my move. To this day they still look at me like I have a glimmer of madness in my eyes, but it has worked and I continue to grow business.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been the complete opposite of smooth! When this first started to creep in my head to go back to photo/video/creative. I had just lost my best friend and grandfather. I came home to my current girlfriend I lived with at the time, and she told me she was moving out. I was in the dumps. All I could think about was my grandfather and how much he loved taking photos, he was terrible, but he loved it. As for the girlfriend, I wasn’t too concerned, but I wanted to make my grandfather proud. It got to the point I was just hustling to make money to buy equipment and learn what changed since I stopped working in the field. I sold a ton of clothes sneakers and personal items. Moved back in with my mother only to have her husband diagnosed wither cancer as well. So this whole experience has been taking care of loved ones, ok they are asleep, I’m going to practice shooting before they wake up.
Please tell us about Christopher Anthony Photography.
For right now, my business is myself, and some friends. First and foremost, Todd Diedrich. One great friend that has always helped me. He is an amazing artist and is always there to help, guide, or teach. We have worked on shoots for Fast Company, Robert Crown Center, Fashion Shoots, Head Shots…. I know you are not supposed to say you do everything, but we seriously do everything. We can be shooting a music video and then have a wedding right after. I haven’t had my proudest moment yet. I have so much more I want to do. I don’t think my grandfather is proud of me yet, I want to picture him in my head with a big grin and his hands in the air like, “You did it kid!”
I also, wouldn’t mind running into a few ex’s after accepting an award broadcasted on TV haha.
That thing that sets me apart from others, my family. I have 9 siblings, 7 bros 2 sisters. I have been raised to see the world through other people’s eyes. I have had the opportunity to see the madness a huge family has and how to manage all these different personalities. I also have the amazing knack for making the dollar stretch for production purposes haha, Thanks Tom!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I didn’t have a childhood, but it would have to be hanging out at the studio. Oh, I interviewed Atmosphere at the metro when I was 15 years old. Yeah, that was big for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://stvnthony.tumblr.com
- Phone: 312-618-7712
- Email: St.Vnthony@gmail.com
- Instagram: @christopheranthonyphotograhy
Image Credit:
Sylvia L
Rene
Ben Riley
Todd Diedrich
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