For this edition of our Homegrown Business, we got in touch with Rochelle-Ann Thomas from CSD Media. CSD Media specializes in corporate photography and videography.
What is your business called and what does it do?
Our Business is called CSD MEDIA and we specialize in Corporate photography and videography which includes Professional Portraits, Product Photography, Website Videos, and Promotional Videos just to name a few.
What made you want to do this work?
Craig and I (Rochelle) believe that we were created to tell stories and because of that we enjoy and we get excited at the opportunity to help entrepreneurs elevate their brand through photography and videography.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
Small business owners are not always able to afford certain quality for their media support and because of that, they may settle for doing things themselves or cheap quality. We have the capability to give small business owners the quality that they deserve.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
Our Clientele includes entrepreneurs who are building their brand and want to use Media to capture and display the best part of their brand.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
CSD Media never starts a project without taking the time to get to know the client and their needs as far as media is concerned. Some services, for example, headshots, have a flat rate of $250 per hour but others have a starting rate that is altered depending on the size of crew, location, and special requirements.
Where in Calgary can we find your profession?
We are physically located in Calgary Northeast but we shoot at various locations based on the project.
We can also be reached on Facebook, Instagram and on our Website.
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
The best question a client can ask photographers and videographers is, “what is your style?” It is important to pick a photographer or videographer who’s style fits yours as well as the final product that you are hoping for. For events such as weddings, our style is journalistic as we capture all the details. For our corporate projects, our style is story-telling as our tagline says: What is your story? Everything is tailored towards telling the story of a brand.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
The best part about what we do is that we get paid to do what we love and every project is different so we are constantly being exposed to different experiences and meeting new people. The worst part is that some projects come with long hours and that causes us to be away from our kids more than we would want to be but we believe in what we do and we try to make it up on our off days.
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
My favourite joke is when people say that you can’t build wealth off a camera because we are determined to prove them dead wrong by taking CSD Media all the way to creating our very own world-class motion picture studio in Calgary.
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another Calgary business that you love?
Another Calgary business that I love is Getting your Affairs in Order owned by Andrea Cox. In most cases when a loved one passes away, there is no plan in place like final wishes discussed or chosen, a Will, funeral cost, or a funeral home chosen, etc. Andrea helps to get your affairs in order way in advance of a crisis.
