Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Rippy.
Chris, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I got started with a camera in college at Western Kentucky University. At first, I was filming pretty much anything I could—events, nightlife, student projects just trying to get reps in and figure out what I enjoyed.
Over time, I started working with athletes and local businesses, which led to bigger opportunities. Eventually, I reached out to an artist on social media, and when their videographer couldn’t make a tour run, I got the opportunity to step in. That experience really changed everything for me.
Since then, I’ve spent the last several years building a freelance career around content creation, touring with artists, and working with brands. I’ve had the chance to create content for artists like Snoop Dogg, T-Pain, Nelly, and MGK, as well as brands like Jack Daniel’s and Gatorade.
Today, I run my own creative business, work with artists and brands on content strategy and production, and also help other freelancers build creative careers of their own
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not. Looking back, I think people see the artists I’ve worked with now and assume it happened quickly, but there were a lot of years where I had no idea if this was actually going to work.
Early on, I was taking pretty much any project I could get just to build experience and keep moving forward. There were months where money was inconsistent, times when I questioned whether freelancing was the right path, and plenty of situations where I made mistakes and had to learn the hard way. One of the biggest challenges was learning that being good with a camera isn’t enough. I had to learn sales, communication, networking, pricing, contracts, and how to actually run a business. Nobody really teaches you that part.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Today, I’m a freelance videographer, photographer, and content strategist. Most of my work is in the music industry, where I create content for artists on tour, at shows, and behind the scenes, but I also work with brands on content and marketing campaigns.
What I specialize in is creating content that not only looks good, but actually performs. Over the years, I’ve learned that the best content sits at the intersection of storytelling, creativity, and strategy. A cinematic video is great, but if it doesn’t connect with people, it misses the mark.
I think what I’m most known for is capturing authentic moments and turning them into content that helps artists and brands grow their audience. Whether that’s a tour recap, a short-form video, or a larger campaign, I’m always thinking about how the content will be received by the viewer.
What I’m most proud of is building a career around something I genuinely love. I’ve had the opportunity to work with artists like Snoop Dogg, T-Pain, Nelly, and MGK, but honestly, I’m just as proud of building a business from the ground up and creating opportunities that didn’t exist when I was getting started.
What sets me apart is that I don’t see myself as just a videographer. I think like a creator, a marketer, and a business owner. The camera is just the tool. At the end of the day, my goal is to help clients tell a story, grow their brand, and create content that actually moves the needle.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chrisrippy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisrippy/
