Meet Sean McNeil of Aspen Art Co in Golden

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sean McNeil.

Sean, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Over the last six years, photography has not only been my job but also my passion. It has been an excuse to network with other like-minded individuals whose paths I may never have crossed otherwise, as well as travel to some of the most beautiful and picturesque destinations in the state (and across the US). A few years ago, I picked up some tools to make some furniture and art to make my studio apartment feel like home.

I posted one piece of art on social media, and through my network of very supportive friends and (now) wife, woodworking has now joined photography as a passion and day job. You can find me with a camera in my hand during the day and a saw buzzing in my workshop on the weekends. My true joy lies in being creative, whether that is posing a family portrait, composing a landscape shot in the mountains, or cutting, sanding and assembling a new wood coffee table.

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?
One of my biggest growing challenges is the saturation of both markets. With advancements in technology, it is becoming feasible for more people with a camera to become a photographer and more with a saw to sell art. With platforms like YouTube available to learn a new craft or Etsy to market a product, the perceived value is diminishing. Another challenge of this business is running it as a sole employee.

None of my work is outsourced, and every piece is created by hand. Many of my clients for woodworking are local companies who regularly purchase orders in bulk, which are often very time-consuming. In between accommodating photography clients’ busy schedules, booking photoshoots at times to capture the perfect lighting and trying to spend as much time in my woodshop to complete orders before the temperatures drop, I find myself working a lot of long days, nights and weekends. When everything is a priority, nothing is a priority, and I am constantly working on my work-life balance.

Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
At Aspen Art Co, I specialize in portrait photography and custom wood art. Whether it is family photos, product photography, or a request for a custom piece of art, no two days look the same. I am constantly scouting new locations for photo shoots to give my clients a variety of options, sketching out blueprints of wood art with matching color profiles, photographing luxurious homes for real estate photography, and evolving new ways to keep my clients comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera. My commitment to keeping up with ever-changing trends, technology, and styles of photography sets me apart from other businesses.

I enjoy the opportunity to curate the perfect headshot for other professionals in my community to best represent them. I am proud to have been named “Denver’s Best Pet Photographer” in collaboration with my fundraising efforts with a local animal shelter, as well as have my work recognized with an award at local art gallery. However, I am mostly proud of turning my passion into a career. The best validation of my work is seeing the photos I’ve taken on my clients’ Christmas cards to share with their friends and family, as well as seeing my art proudly displayed in homes of friends and strangers alike.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Growing up, we were a skiing family. Most of our weekends were spent in the mountains making turns, which sparked my intense love for the outdoors. My dad was a ski journalist for the newspaper so when I was competent enough to keep up on skis, I got to travel with him to different ski areas across the nation while he wrote his articles. One of my favorite childhood memories growing up was playing hooky from school to go ski Jackson Hole with my dad. This was my first experience in knee-deep powder, and I’ve fully supported “no friends on powder days” since.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.aspenartco.com
• Phone: (303) 594-0240
• Email: sean@aspenartco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aspenartco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aspenartco/

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