Meet Cassie Uysaluz: Cinematographer and Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cassie Uysaluz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cassie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
It’s all started in 2009. I was a lost college student and I didn’t really have a direction or a mentor. I initially went to school for theatre and film, but after seeing tons of people struggle in the creative industry paycheck to paycheck, I knew there had to be something I could do where I would make good money, but still be affiliated in the film and television world.

I was constantly being approached to film things for family, friends, and businesses I knew. They always said I should just start my own business already and make videos for people and brands. People even suggested weddings. This was something I really had no idea about but wanted to take a dive Into and learn more. I quickly learned how much money you can make in the wedding industry, and making commercials for people and brands. knew I had great potential in bringing stories to life on screen for people. I just needed my first client. 2 Craigslist postings later I had my first wedding. From there it became referral after referral, and that’s when I had officially I started my own Video Production Company in 2012. Instagram took off and I started out shooting 15 second clips for people in the fitness industry. Then I would shoot spas, clothing, anything that people needed content for. My portfolio contributed to grow and people started to take notice to my work. Content was something new back then compared to now. We were just warming up. Everyone these days needs content so my business is always thriving. Now 9 years later I am fully living my dream and passion. I was able to take my business to an international level and travel the world and get paid to do it. I have clients from all over the world Including London, Dubai, and Istanbul Turkey. I highly encourage people to chase their dreams and to start their own company.

I thank my wonderful husband for giving me courage and the ability to take my company international. My mom for putting me into all the creative things as a kid so my brain could imagine and think outside the box. She always taught me not to care what people think and to go BIG.

Being a child actor I was always needing an outlet (singing, dancing, performing) to take my energy into and she knew just the right things for me. She always took me to auditions, drove me hours away for castings, made sure I knew my lines and had courage to go in and nail it. I’m so grateful for my young start in showbiz. It taught me so much and made me who I am today.

At the end of the day I knew I never wanted to work for someone else, and I knew that if I worked for someone else, my potential for cash flow would only reach a certain level. I was always an independent person and needed to be in charge. I don’t like people controlling me and I like to direct people and tell them what to do. I knew that working for someone else would not be the best match. LOL.

. If you have your own company and business structure, run things the right way, Your potential for success is limitless, and you truly will get where you want to go. Just stay determined and driven and don’t listen to what others have to say. Just go for it and never look back.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I think one of the major things that sets me apart from others is the fact I am a female. This industry is a very male led business and it’s hard to come by female videographers and directors who are ACTUALLY DOING IT, and making sH*t happen. Let’s be honest. Half the time I show people a video who don’t know me they ask who the guy was that shot it. I immediately let them know that I actually shot, directed, and edited it and their mouths drop. They can’t seem to fathom that a female did it. It’s really funny and makes me smile. I truly enjoy what I do and I wouldn’t change it for the world. When I get to work with other female Business owners or entrepreneurs it really excites me. We always have a blast and our energy is insane!

Some lessons I learned along the way in the video business is you can’t please everyone, and not everyone has the budget to bring what they have in their head to life on screen. It’s okay to work with small budgets when you’re starting out, but you’ll see it gets very tiring the more effort you put, and the budgets aren’t where you want them to be for the work and effort you’re doing. You quickly have to think outside the box. Who needs content? Who can afford me? Who’s life can I change with my content creation? I learned through the years up until now that I only wish to work with high ticket clients. For those are the ones who will have the budget, not be so difficult to work with, actually care about you as a person, respect your work and encourage you to grow. Any negativity from a client is not good for your soul. Always make sure there is balance and if you can’t make someone happy then move on and find the clients YOU want and YOU dream of. Don’t just take a gig to take a gig for the money. They headache in the end is not worth it.

After becoming and international success, I have learned that the potential for clients outside the USA are even bigger than home. More money, more power, and more room for creativeness. The amount of people you can meet, businesses you can make shine through your content, and connections that are made are priceless.

I want the world to know that my company is ran with upmost passion, creativity, organization, and real love. All of my projects I put my heart and soul into and I believe everyone should be this way. I enjoy traveling, discovering new stories, filming new things. The most exciting part is that there is always something different I am creating. These days it ranges from Doctors, Weddings, Business Commercials, Brand Promos, you name it we do it. I have built literally from the ground up. I want people to know that anything is possible. Anything. I think I am most proud of myself for actually waking up everyday and hustling. Of course it’s not a walk in the park. You have to market, post, reach out to people, contracts, payments, make the sales happen etc. If you have the courage to do this you will be a very successful business owner, I can guarantee that. Not every business person can actually HANDLE the business side of things. Often people get really lost. I’ve seen really amazing product company’s do really great in revenue, but their Instagram and content lacks and makes them look really bad. So if you can be a business person AND run the business right, it’s going to be super easy for you. Don’t worry.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love the beach. It’s definitely my second home. When I’m not filming or creating, you can find me laying out getting tan and chilling by the ocean. I always take my guests to the beach and show them around LA to the BEST taco trucks. My husband and I are big foodies. We always love taking people around to the best spots in LA. As long as you have the beach and some tacos, I don’t think life can get any better than that! Especially the winter months when everyone has snow, and you’re just hanging on the beach eating tacos. Definitely one of the best things! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband and my mother are huge people in my life who give me major support and courage. Without them I’m not sure where I would be. Love them to pieces.

Website: https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/Photographer/Elite-Film-Productions-324228117710491/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/namastefilmin/?hl=en

Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCF11RtK3hv6KhAlq3COpOsg/videos

Image Credits
@uzcreated @uzvisuals @namastefilmin