Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Gawat.
Hi Chris, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi again Voyage Denver. I’m an artist based in Denver, working on various projects throughout the area. I mostly work in the outdoor space, where my visual compositions of sport, lifestyle, and landscape all blend together.
Growing up, I found myself drawn to video production. I went to film school at Missouri State University, where I worked alongside the university’s marketing team. After graduating, I decided to travel for a while, which expanded my idea of what it means to be an artist; and what it means to step into the real world.
I currently work as a Videographer at the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS), where my love for travel, higher education, and human connection all come together. Outside of that, I spend my time in the creative outdoors space, working with brands like SENIQ, Arc’teryx, REI, and others. I also collaborate with local influencers to help make sure their content lands the way they want it to. However the camera brings me in, I enjoy being behind it.
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?
The only “not smooth” part was my mentality behind it all. On paper, my journey is fairly simple: a lot of art classes in school, making sure I was interning or employed in video, and always working on personal projects to keep my skills sharp and current. But like a lot of artists entering their career, I experienced imposter syndrome and it showed up in every form: doubt, trust, confidence, and skills.
Preparing for a corporate job while also trying to build your own side business forces a kind of growth that really tests your self-esteem and beliefs. I struggled with confidence a lot. I believed my skills were good enough, but something people care about just as much is who you are as a person. We all know the path of art is hard and will test you but can you stay confident, stay cool, and trust that it’s going to be okay through it all?
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What I do is create stories. I specialize in video storytelling, and I’ve always been involved from start to finish in the creation process. I write, produce, shoot, direct, and edit. I think a lot of where my skills really shine is in editing. The way I cut something I shot shows that I had the vision from the very beginning and executed it well.
Something my boss at AIFS once told me was, “You’re really good at making people cry.” As funny as that sounds, it means I did my job, I evoked an emotion through an audio/visual story. A feeling sells. I’m known for bringing a different perspective, approaching media with drama and immersion. I also love having fun with my storytelling. Video can feel serious and heavy, so it’s nice to switch it up sometimes and keep things light. I love seeing people smile, learn, and grow. Keeping it real and true is what I strive for.
What sets me apart is how collaborative I am. Im open to ideas. I want to execute your vision and I do everything I can to make that happen.
I’m most proud of my work with Arc’teryx Chicago. I created a short reel for them last year that showcased my ability to capture a fast-paced environment and tie it together into a story about being outdoors as a beginner. The whole thing was shot in a single day, and the subject of being a beginner in the outdoor world is something I’m still exploring today.
What does success mean to you?
Haha, I define success as a feeling. It’s not a number, an age, or a materialistic thing. It’s comparing where you are now to where you wanted to be, and looking back at your steps to see if you’re happy with them. Are you happy with where you are now? …Not comfortable and satisfied, I mean genuinely happy, proud, and excited to start the next project.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chrisgawat.com/about
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisgawatphoto
- Other: https://www.accord-studios.com/
Image Credits
B&W Photo by Mike Thurk
