Meet Stephan Werk of Werk Creative in Lower Highlands, LoHi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephan Werk.

Stephan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Santa Monica, California, with parents in the film and travel industry. As a young kid, I always had a fascination with cameras and what my Dad David did for a living. My Dad owned and operated a video production company for 30+ years in Los Angeles. My earliest memories of what he did for a living was taking me on some of his video shoots, I was his official cable wrangler.

After graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a film degree, it wasn’t until the years later that I re-discovered my passion and interest in photography and video. The years after college were primary full of fun, travel and new experiences. Being a snowboard bum in Beaver Creek, Colorado changed my life forever. Two of the greatest things happened to me. I met my fiance Ashley there, in 2011, eight years ago! And I found my passion, interest and temporary career path then, the wine and beer industry.

It wasn’t long before I was ready for the next adventure. In 2012, Ashley and I decided to take a leap forward and travel the world. Selling all our high priced items including cars, we embarked on the trip of a lifetime to travel the world for the next 11 months. Countries included China, Japan, Thailand, Nepal, Peru and Panama spending over a month in each. It was there, where my serious passion for photography lit a fire within. To this date, my strongest work lies within that journey; and always inspires me to photograph how people and places interact abroad.

In 2013, with money dwindling, we decided to move to New York City, to pursue our creative dreams. I put in my time doing everything from interning a photo studio, photo assisting wedding photographers, production assisting commercial production companies to work at wine shops. At the same time, I was trying to find my place in such an overwhelming city. New York City was a wonderful place, where I learned all the skills I needed to be successful, even though it was a struggle every day.

Four years later in 2017, Colorado and the mountains were calling our names again. So, with that, we moved back to Colorado to call Denver home and restart my business. Werk Creative officially launched in Denver and I couldn’t be more thankful to the amazing people I have met, outstanding clients and companies I have been able to work with.

I am currently working on my first feature length documentary film, which is about four families who live in Oaxaca, Mexico who make mezcal. It will be the first feature doc I am Producing and Directing, which will release in 2020, named “Sons of Mezcal”. Oaxaca is a special place for me as I have built strong relationships, friendships, and the place where I proposed to my long-term girlfriend in February of this year.

Has it been a smooth road?
When you own your own business or are a freelance creative, there is no such thing as a smooth road. I think the most challenging part of being creative is finding the work, not getting good at what you do. If you are passionate about what you do, you almost want to learn and perfect it.

The biggest frustration I found along the way is knowing you are very capable or talented but is getting connected with the right clients. Getting your foot in the door takes the time or is all about timing. My mom said it’s not what you know, it’s who you know, and I can certainly attest to that. But, of course, you need to be good at what you do.

At the same time, in a world that most people are connected with so much technology, people don’t spend as much facetime connecting with people or finding work. Using technology to our advantage, we are now in a place it’s possible to send anyone you want an email. Use those tools!

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Werk Creative is a full service video and photography production based here in Denver. By trade, I am a photographer, producer/director. In terms of photography, I specialize in food and drink, lifestyle, spaces/interiors, hotels and travel/hospitality. When it comes to video production, as a producer and director, I have a network of some of the most talented individuals in Denver and New York City; DP’s, Soundmen, editors and so forth. We strive to tell stories for brands, creating a human connection is most important.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel Denver is an amazing city that has a lot of possibilities for photography and video production. Only two years into launching in Denver, we have grown tremendously and I look forward to where things can go. Growing up in Los Angeles and living in New York City, it’s hard to even compare to the big cities, as the ideas, clients and possibilities are truly endless.

What I found extremely exciting about Denver is our accessibility to the outdoors, so if you are an extreme sports content generator and want access to an urban environment, this may be the place for you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.werkcreative.com
• Phone: 720-908-2108
• Email: stephan@werkcreative.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/werkcreative/

Image Credit:
Stephan Werk, Werk Creative.

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