Today we’d like to introduce you to Penny Kapadoukakis.
Hi Penny, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started making silly videos with my friends on a camcorder in elementary school, and I’ve been hooked ever since. In high school, I was accepted into a Film and Media Academy in Chicago, where I had a camera in my hands every day and learned editing software in class. I also volunteered at my church where I was given creative liberty to make videos of ministry programs. My favorite assignments in class were always music videos though, and that’s when I realized I wanted to pursue filmmaking professionally.
After high school I attended Belmont University, studying Motion Pictures and Emerging Media. Outside of class, I spent my time making music videos and shooting live shows for my friends’ bands. Around the same time, I co-founded a music magazine called The Plug with a friend from high school, where we interviewed our favorite artists and curated playlists.
Through The Plug, I connected with º1824, Universal Music Group’s network of young creatives and in-house content team. I was hired and quickly found myself directing videos, filming concerts, and creating content for label artists. At the same time, I continued building my freelance portfolio, touring with artists like The Head and the Heart at 19 and establishing myself as a creative in Nashville
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Today, I’m fortunate to be doing what I love full-time—creating visuals for the artists who inspire me and building a career centered around music and storytelling. No two days are the same, one day I’m filming for an artist in town and the next I’m touring Europe with a band.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The creative industry in Nashville is unique because there isn’t a guidebook or a traditional path you can learn in school. So much of it comes down to trial and error, building relationships, and saying yes to opportunities as they come your way.
During college, balancing school and work was one of my biggest challenges. I was a full-time student on scholarship, so graduating was important to me, but I was also trying to build a full-time career in the music industry. That meant plenty of late nights editing after finishing classwork, squeezing shoots between classes, and even missing class occasionally to hop on short tours.
Now that I’ve graduated, I’ve found a much healthier work-life balance. It took time to get here, but I’ve learned that while saying yes to the right projects has been essential to my career, it’s just as important to make time for myself and the people I care about.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a director and videographer based in Nashville, creating visuals for music artists. I thrive on projects that let me collaborate with artists to build worlds, experiment with new creative techniques, and bring their vision to life. My goal is always to make videos that feel cinematic, intentional, and emotionally connected to the music—using visuals to help tell an artist’s story in a meaningful way.
I’m best known for my work in the pop, indie, and folk space, creating videos that are colorful, creative, and feel like a movie. The part of my career I’m most proud of isn’t any specific project, but it’s the relationships I’ve built with artists and the opportunity to help tell their stories through film. One format of film that I love though is making tour documentaries, a few months ago I made a 20-minute European tour doc and that was definitely my largest project yet.
What sets me apart is that I don’t believe in doing anything halfway. Every project gets my full attention as I think through every detail to make it as creative, fresh, and cohesive as possible. I also believe making music videos should be fun. This is one of the coolest jobs in the world, for both me and the artist, and I want every shoot to be a place where people are excited to create, enjoy the process, and leave with something we’re all proud of.
How do you think about luck?
I’m not sure I necessarily believe in luck, but I do believe the Lord has faithfully guided me to where I am today. Looking back, He’s always provided exactly what I needed. Every time one contract came to an end, another opportunity seemed to open at just the right time.
As I’ve grown in my relationship with Jesus, I’ve become more intentional about the projects I pursue and the stories I want to help tell. My faith has made me even more excited about art and I see creativity as something I get to partner with God in, and I’m grateful that I get to use the gifts He’s given me to create meaningful work alongside incredible artists.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pennykapa.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/pennykapa
