Rising Stars: Meet Chelsea Thompson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Thompson. 

Hi Chelsea, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I learned a lot being Mommy’s little pageant girl. Everything had to be right. The right dress, hair, and makeup, the right response, questions, and answers. I was trained to become hyper-sensitive to what made people tick. Here we are 20 years later and I’m understanding that I’ve been training my whole life to be the person that I am right now. I’m the founder of Dire Image LLC, a complete production company to help new and establish artists build and uphold their brands. We do hair, makeup, styling, photo, and video services all with the same creative direction. I began doing makeup for my friends in High School. There were seven of my friends at my house for our senior prom wanting to get their makeup done. I charged them $45 each and I thought I was rich! I continued to build my clientele in Atlanta, Ga before moving to Nashville in 2016. When I met country singer, Mickey Guyton, at Cassady Pope’s 2018 NYE party it changed everything. We became fast friends. I offered to do her makeup one night while we were having a cocktail. A hair and makeup session turned into a DIY photoshoot. Her label loved the photos and contacted me to set up a full photoshoot with more money than I have ever been offered at the time. I thought to myself, “I’m not even a real photographer!” I guess I became one that day. We had our first billboard together and I directed my first music video with a set that I built in my living room for her song “Sister”. I wouldn’t be the director or photographer I am now without Mickey seeing that in me first. People can change your life. I absolutely love what I do. I love connecting and creating with people just enjoying the journey. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing good comes easy. We all pay our dues at some point. I worked in the cosmetic retail industry for about 10 years and let me tell you it’s not easy. Navigating customers that are having a bad day and managers that are unconscious to your reality as their employee is rough. I had one customer cuss me out because her lipstick was discontinued. Sorry Ma’am, there’s nothing I can do about that. My father passed away in 2017 and left my $40,000. He was my best friend and also owned a small business. With the money he left, I was able to quit retail and take a leap of faith within myself and start Dire Image. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in making my clients look like superstars from day one. I obsess over details and have experience in all areas that involve developing an artist. 

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is waking up every day already feeling like you’re enough and being present in the now. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: direimage.com
• Instagram: @direimage

Image Credits
Dire Image