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Will a video production company handle editing and color grading?

10/12/25
#COMMUNITY

Professional Studios Explained: Do Video Production Companies Provide Editing and Color Grading?

Clients often ask: Do video production companies provide editing and color grading? The answer today is clear: yes, but under certain models and with defined scope. A modern full-service studio not only films, but shapes the final visual narrative. That includes cuts, pacing, effects, and the mood-defining color grade.

Not all studios go this far; some stop at raw delivery. The difference lies in whether budget, technical infrastructure, and creative control are set up for post-production from the start. In this post, we break down what editing and color grading involve, how studios structure these services, and what you should expect when hiring professionals.

What Are “Editing” and “Color Grading”?

Before asking who handles them, understand what they are and why they matter.

Editing is the craft of selecting, arranging, and refining footage — shaping story flow, cutting dead time, and integrating transitions.
Color grading involves manipulating tone, contrast, hue, and saturation to deliver a unified visual aesthetic across the entire video.

At C&I Studios, post-production is integral. Their Video Production Services include both editing and color grading in their full-service offerings. C&I Studios

Color grading raises visual storytelling from functional to cinematic. In The Role of Color Grading in Film and TV Production, C&I explains how grading can match mood, unify scenes, and elevate brand identity. C&I Studios

How Studios Structure Edited + Graded Packages

Not all production firms do post in the same way. There are common models:

Full-Service Studios

They include editing and color grading from the start. You receive a finished master, ready to publish or distribute.

Modular Services

You can choose add-ons. Production handles filming; you or another team may take color grading, or pay extra for it.

Third-Party Outsourcing

Some production shops shoot and outsource post to specialist firms. You may see a severed workflow, but outcome depends on coordination.

Typical service bundles include:

Rough cut → fine cut → final delivery
LUT application and looks library
Color matching across cameras
Export to platform-specific formats

C&I provides remote editing as part of its post-production suite. C&I Studios

Why Color Grading is Non-Negotiable for Professional Output

Increasingly, audiences expect cinematic polish — even from short-form content. Raw footage without grading looks flat and inconsistent across devices.

Grading ensures skin tones remain natural across shots.
It unifies footage from multiple cameras and lighting setups.
It allows stylized looks (warm, moody, desaturated) tied to brand identity.

C&I’s guide, A Step-by-Step Guide to Color Grading, describes how grading transforms visual tone intentionally. C&I Studios

Because of this, top-tier video production companies that provide editing and color grading include grading in quotes rather than as optional extras.

Technical Tools & Workflow (Editing + Grading)

The “how” matters almost as much as the “what.” A strong studio uses tools to preserve flexibility and consistency.

Most use DaVinci Resolve as integrated editing + grading software. Wikipedia+1
Editors and colorists operate in tandem using versioning and cache workflows.
LUTs (look-up tables) are shared across edits to maintain visual unity.
Grading monitors are calibrated to standards, ensuring accurate color reproduction across screens.

These technical foundations ensure that editing + color grading are not afterthoughts, but part of a unified pipeline.

How the Post-Production Pipeline Works

A professional studio’s post-production process is not guesswork — it’s a structured pipeline that balances art and engineering. When clients ask do video production companies provide editing and color grading, what they’re really asking is whether the studio has a disciplined system that can deliver broadcast-grade results.

Step 1: Ingest and Organization

Raw footage from multiple cameras is imported, backed up, and organized into bins labeled by scene, camera angle, or subject. This step prevents chaos during later stages and allows editors to start refining immediately.

Step 2: Rough Cut Assembly

Editors build a rough cut — the first full draft of the story. At this stage, the priority is structure, not polish. Transitions, placeholders, and pacing decisions are tested.

Step 3: Fine Cut

This is where creative judgment takes over. Audio is synced, timing is refined, B-roll is integrated, and cuts are smoothed. Fine cuts are usually reviewed collaboratively by both the studio’s creative director and the client.

Step 4: Color Grading Integration

Once the fine cut is locked, footage is sent to the colorist. Using software like DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere Pro Lumetri, the colorist corrects exposure, balances skin tones, and applies creative LUTs. (Adobe Premiere Pro: Color Workflows)

Step 5: Final Mastering

Exported masters are formatted for distribution — 4K for YouTube, Rec.709 color space for digital, or HDR for cinematic projection. This is the “polished” version clients see and publish.

C&I Studios documents this process thoroughly in its Post-Production Services, where every step is tied to ROI — from timeline optimization to delivery strategy.

The Collaboration Between Editor and Colorist

Editing and color grading are distinct disciplines, but in high-end studios they work symbiotically.

Shared Visual Language

Editors prioritize rhythm and pacing, while colorists focus on emotional tone. When they collaborate, transitions feel seamless, and the visual style strengthens storytelling.

Cross-Feedback Loops

Studios like C&I Studios promote what they call “creative cross-feedback.” An editor might note that a certain scene feels cold or lifeless; the colorist adjusts tones to evoke warmth or energy. Conversely, if a graded clip looks too stylized, the editor adjusts shot order for balance.

Unified Workflow Tools

Shared storage systems and grading plug-ins ensure that both departments access the same source files. Tools such as Frame.io streamline client feedback loops without breaking workflow continuity. (Frame.io Review and Workflow Guide – HubSpot)

Why Clients Should Demand Integrated Editing and Grading

When clients outsource filming to one vendor and post-production to another, miscommunication becomes inevitable. Color balance shifts, pacing mismatches appear, and deadlines stretch unnecessarily.

Efficiency and Cost Reduction

Integrated studios save time and cost by handling every step under one roof. Instead of paying for two separate teams to exchange files, clients deal with a single creative direction from start to finish.

Creative Continuity

From the first storyboard to final export, the same visual philosophy carries through. The team that films the footage already knows the lighting profile, tone, and brand mood — making grading decisions more intuitive.

Technical Consistency

Color grading depends heavily on metadata and camera settings. When production and post happen in-house, no metadata is lost, and exposure calibration remains consistent across projects.

C&I’s Film Production Studio page highlights this advantage — every project, whether short-form or cinematic, follows a single creative ecosystem from shoot to finish.

Cost Breakdown: What You’re Actually Paying For

When evaluating video production companies that provide editing and color grading, pricing varies based on scope, timeline, and complexity.

Typical Pricing Structure

A general framework for post-production cost includes:

Editing labor: $75–$150/hour depending on experience and region
Color grading: $100–$300/hour for advanced grading suites
Software and licenses: Subscription tools like Adobe Creative Cloud or DaVinci Resolve Studio
Revisions: Additional costs per feedback round
Output formatting: Different delivery formats for web, broadcast, or OTT

Value, Not Just Expense

A common misconception is that editing and grading are just “final touches.” In truth, these steps determine whether the audience perceives a project as professional or amateur. The investment you make in post-production often dictates brand perception for months — or even years.

Common Misconceptions About Post-Production

“Editing is Just Cutting Footage”

In reality, editing is cinematic storytelling. Editors design narrative arcs, emotional beats, and rhythm. A skilled editor influences how long a viewer stays engaged.

“Color Grading Only Changes Aesthetic”

Color influences psychology. For example:

Warm hues foster empathy and trust.
Cool tones convey analytical or futuristic vibes.
Desaturation evokes realism and restraint.

That’s why studios emphasize color as both technical and narrative art.

For deeper insight, see Adobe’s Color Correction vs. Color Grading Guide — an industry reference for balancing creative intent and visual precision.

How Color Grading Enhances Brand Identity

Every brand communicates visually before it communicates verbally. Grading defines that identity.

Luxury brands lean toward neutral palettes and low contrast.
Tech companies prefer clean, cool tones that signal innovation.
Lifestyle brands favor warmth and saturation for emotional relatability.

Building Visual Memory

When audiences repeatedly see consistent tones, their brains start linking color schemes to your brand subconsciously. This is how companies like Apple or Nike maintain recognizable visual DNA across all content formats.

The Cinematic Standard for Short-Form Content

Even Instagram reels and TikTok campaigns now benefit from professional grading. Users may not consciously notice color work, but they instantly feel quality when it’s present.

C&I’s creative directors apply the same grading logic from cinematic commercials to digital shorts — visible through their Video Production Services framework.

Post-Production Timelines and Client Expectations

Studios build their timelines around creative complexity, but transparency is key.

H3: Standard Turnaround Benchmarks

Short-form social content (15–60 sec): 3–5 business days
Corporate promos (1–3 min): 1–2 weeks
Cinematic campaigns (5–10 min): 2–4 weeks, including multiple review rounds

Revisions and Communication

Professional teams rely on structured feedback cycles. Each review stage includes visual references, test grades, and watermark proofs. Clients should expect a minimum of two revision rounds before final export.

External vs. In-House Post Teams: Which Is Better?

This decision depends on scale, speed, and creative control.

When to Go In-House

You produce frequent social content and want quick edits.
You have brand guidelines already established.
You prefer lower cost over cinematic depth.

When to Choose a Studio

You need storytelling aligned with brand psychology.
You want unified production + post pipeline.
You value visual consistency across campaigns.

Full-service studios like C&I Studios merge creative direction, filming, and post-production within one ecosystem — ensuring long-term content consistency and efficiency.

Technology That’s Changing Editing and Color Grading

The line between manual craft and automation is blurring fast.

AI-Assisted Workflows

AI tools automate tedious steps like shot detection, audio syncing, and scene transitions. This allows editors to focus on creative decisions rather than technical chores.

Examples include:

DaVinci Resolve Neural Engine: auto-matching color tones across scenes.
Premiere Pro’s Auto Reframe: adjusts aspect ratios for TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram simultaneously.
Runway ML: generating background replacements for social videos. (Runway ML Official Site)

Collaborative Cloud Editing

Studios use shared cloud environments to collaborate across geographies. Editors, colorists, and clients can access synchronized project files in real time. This has drastically reduced delivery timelines for global productions.

Evaluating a Studio Before You Hire

Choosing the right partner is as much about process as price.

H3: Checklist for Selecting the Right Studio

Review their portfolio for consistent tone across projects.
Ask how they manage color pipelines and monitor calibration.
Confirm they use professional-grade software and hardware.
Ensure they offer revision policies and transparent communication.

For a benchmark, review C&I’s Creative Development service page, which details how creative oversight extends from production through post to ensure brand cohesion.

Measuring ROI on Editing and Color Grading

Return on investment from editing and grading can be both tangible and intangible.

Tangible Metrics

Engagement: Average view duration and retention curve
Conversion: Click-throughs from video CTAs
Visibility: SEO ranking and platform recommendations

Intangible Impact

Elevated brand perception
Consistent audience trust
Longer content lifespan through repurposing

Well-graded videos stay reusable for years across campaigns, increasing lifetime value of each project.

The Future of Post-Production Services

The future of editing and grading isn’t about more tools; it’s about smarter integration.

Studios are blending automation, color science, and brand psychology into unified workflows.

Every visual choice — from tone curves to vignette intensity — ties back to the client’s communication goals.

This shift means post-production isn’t a cost center anymore, but a performance driver that directly influences marketing outcomes.

The Answer Is Yes — But Choose Wisely

So, do video production companies provide editing and color grading? Yes — but not all do it well. The best studios don’t just “add polish”; they define the creative language of your brand through post-production excellence.

When you partner with a professional studio like C&I Studios, you’re not hiring technicians; you’re hiring storytellers who sculpt mood, rhythm, and emotion frame by frame.

Explore our Video Production Services

Joshua Otis Miller, our CEO, has been voted into the Director’s Guild of America

04/10/22
#COMMUNITY, #NEWS, Talent Database

“This has been one of my largest dreams of my entire life. I’m really excited for the next chapter of filmmaking.”
– Joshua Otis Miller

Joshua Otis Miller, our CEO, has been voted into the Director’s Guild of America! This is a monumental achievement for Joshua. Being voted into the Director’s Guild of America is THE highest level of recognition for a director in the production industry.

We couldn’t be more proud of our commander in chief and his achievement! To have been voted in means that other members of the DGA like Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, and Ron Howard recognized the immense talent and dedication Josh puts into every one of his films.

Thank you, Director’s Guild of America members!

We would like to thank the members of the Director’s Guild of America for this golden opportunity you handed to Joshua. Becoming a member of the DGA has been Josh’s goal for a while now and being able to achieve this goal is a testament to how dedicated Josh is to making sure that every production, be it corporate work or a feature film, is produced at top-quality. This is an incredible accomplishment for Josh and one that we will continue to celebrate, but not too hard because there is more work to be done.

And a big o’ thank you, to you!

We want to take a second and say a big thank you to you, our clients and friends, for supporting Josh over the years. It’s because of your loyalty and trust that he was able to achieve greatness like this. We can’t wait to work with each and every one of you again, or for the first time, and show you what we can do as a crew run by a DGA director! Thank you for your continued support and thank you for being a part of this journey!

Congratulations, Josh! We are beyond proud of you for leading C&I Studios to greatness. We can’t wait to see what you achieve with this power. You deserve it!

What does this mean for US??!

Well, for one, this means that C&I Studios is destined for even greater productions. It cements our place as one of the top production companies in the industry because we are ran by one of the top directors in the world. We have limitless opportunities. With Joshua’s lead, C&I Studios will take over the film industry. Get ready to see more of Joshua Otis Miller and C&I Studios!

What does this mean for our clients?

It means that you are working with the best of the best, but I’m sure you knew that! Our crew’s skills and experience are only going to continue to grow. We will be among the best in the industry and will continue to produce the highest quality productions you all are used to.

Crew Call: The Tattoo Project [Luke Adams]

THE TATTOO PROJECT

Crew Call The Tattoo Project

A new date. A new promo. Still quarantined.

Crew Call: The Tattoo Project was originally scheduled for March 21, 2020. However, the coronavirus events forced us to reschedule. From March 21st, we pushed the date back to April 18th. We’re staying optimistic, but with no foreseeable end in sight, we may have to move our date yet again.

It’s only natural that a new date should be accompanied by new promotional material. So, we harnessed the creative energy from our promotional shoot with Jaquelyn Puma — a local model and tattoo artist with Borrowed Time Tattoos in Fort Lauderdale — and reenvisioned Crew Call: the Tattoo Project with a male model.

Luke Adams was a perfect fit for this production. In a way, his mannerisms summarize how everyone in the world is feeling right about now… a little fed up, a little isolated… trapped in their thoughts. Yeah, we can relate.

We’re living in a boring dystopia right now and most of us can’t wait to get out of the house and socialize again. It’s only been 4 weeks of quarantine. How many more we’ll be forced to endure, we cannot say. But at least we have Crew Call: The Tattoo Project to look forward to once life returns to a state of normalcy.

We hope this promotion makes you want to get of the house; we hope this excites you for what’s to come. We’re all in this together. We just have to wait it out.

About the Artist | Luke Adams

Luke Adams is not a professional model. He is a tattoo artist with True Love Tattoo in Fort Lauderdale. But his style was perfect for what we were going for, so we invited him over to the studio to film this promotion.

No matter the production, what matters most to us is that the people we work with meet our expectations for the role we are casting. This goes far, far beyond how they look. Personality… demeanor… swagger. Those are what’s important. We could care less if you’re black, white, fat, skinny, gay, straight, short, tall, sexy or average. If you bring the personality and immerse yourself in your role, then we’re going to create something beautiful together.

Despite being an amateur, Luke Adams brought the personality we envisioned when casting this role. Even better than that, he showed up ready to work. And, you know what, we really appreciate that. All too often, we work with professionals who put their time and their needs before anyone else’s. Yes… people do that. So, collaborating with someone who was both considerate, professional, and in character was a great treat for us.

Stay in the know

We’ll keep you guys updated on the status of Crew Call: The Tattoo Project currently scheduled for April 18th. Follow us on social if you don’t do so already. If plans change, you’ll be the first to know.

Crew Call: The Tattoo Project [Jaquelyn Puma]

THE TATTOO PROJECT

Crew Call: The Tattoo Project

The first creative talent event of 2020 [ April 18th]

A lot of brands won’t work with models that have tattoos. They either hire talent whose body is a blank slate or force the model to cover their artwork. That way, they can modify their image to reflect their brand. We don’t do that…

We prefer to work with people with personality; people who embrace their artistic senses; people who wear their art on their sleeve (literally)… Because real artwork doesn’t compromise. And it most certainly doesn’t restrict the artist or the subject. Instead, it rallies the charisma of the outcast and encourages expression in its most wild and untamed fashion.

That’s one of the reasons we use live models at Crew Call. It’s why we invite everyone and anyone to join in and do their thing…whatever that may be. If you want to model, no one will stop you. Seriously, at our first Crew Call event, many of the guests attending the event (who happened to be models by trade) joined in and activated some of our stages. Who are we to stop them? Our industry deserves more freedom like this. Rules are boring. You don’t have to follow them.

We felt it was important to start Crew Call 2020 with a theme that defies the industry standard. What better way to do that than invite the black sheep of the modeling industry to the studio.

EVENT DETAILS

Visual Storytelling Transcends Media

Tattoos are one of the most unique forms of storytelling. They’re abstract, vague, extremely direct, and deeply personal. They tell of moments passed and those we yearn to bring to life.

Each time someone adds a tattoo to their body, they’re adding a new chapter to their story. But the really cool thing is that the story isn’t linear like we’re accustomed to. It’s cyclical. It can be read in any direction. Front to back; side to side; top to bottom; and on and on. And with each reading, the message evolves…

The first tattoo that someone gets inked on their body is not always going to be the start to their tale, nor is the last tattoo the ending.

Tattoos are stories you can read to your own beat. And that’s how we hope you will treat Crew Call on April 18th. We hope you will make it your own and move at your own pace. We hope you will use your art to transform someone else’s tattoos into your own story.

We are a turnkey agency, in that we take each project from concept to delivery.

Because of this, we house a full creative suite of editing and post-production software. One of our most powerful editing software, which we used to put the final touches on Gio Henao’s artist profile, is DaVinci Resolve. This is a color correction and non-linear video editing application for macOS by Blackmagic Design.

Since editing is one of the most critical steps in our process, nothing is overlooked. DaVinci Resolve helps us zone-in on key points of interest to create maximum clarity and outstanding color harmony. In this phase, we take all the footage, audio, and additional assets and lay them on a timeline to arrange the absolute best narrative flow. This process is extremely time-consuming. According to the industry standard, every minute of shooting translates to an hour of editing, which makes sense since this is where true storytelling comes together.

After editing, the project moves to color correction and audio mixing. This is where we balance the footage for proper exposure and grade the footage to give it a look that improves the overall story. Audio mixing is similar to video editing. While video editing pertains to video only, audio mixing has to take all of the audio sources and blend them to broadcast quality sound. All of this is done by our very strong and talented post-production team, who work around the clock to meet our client’s deadlines.

Crew Call: The Tattoo Project [Jaquelyn Puma] 1

Black and white view from behind of tattooed woman Jaquelyn Puma wearing bikini and thong sitting on a wooden box under lights

About The Artist | Jaquelyn Puma

When we were searching for talent for this promotion, we decided that we wanted to work with someone in the tattoo industry. For us, it was more important that we had a model who was more than a model — someone whose life and career was firmly cemented in tattoo art. Turns out, our search was much closer to home than we expected…

Jaquelyn Puma is a tattoo artist at Borrowed Time Tattoos in Flagler Village, just a few blocks from our studio headquarters in Fort Lauderdale. She was trained in art in New York City at many prestigious schools, such as Pratt, FIT, and Pace University. This is where her unique style was born — a style that blends provocative imagery with twisting shapes and psychedelic energy. You can check out her gallery of art here.

In addition to being an artist, Jaquelyn is also a model, hence why she was selected for this shoot. Her style was perfect for this production. She emitted a strong, cavalier aura and mixed that boldness with shy, bashful postures, which really set this off. Her demeanor is almost inviting, yet so intimidating. It’s the ability to blend emotions like this that separates decent models from the talented ones.

Miller’s Notes Pg. 2: Coronavirus Is Killing Small Business

MILLER'S NOTES

Coronavirus Is Killing Small Business

DO NOT READ

Building Your Business During Coronavirus Brown C&I Planner on a notebook and computer keyboard

03.18.20

Building Business During Coronavirus

Well, everyone is officially freaking out.

The coronavirus is spreading and businesses, events, restaurants, you name it are shutting down and closing. Needless to say, most, if not all small business owners, have the same fear in their gut: “What the hell am I going to do for money?”

This is something that we are all facing. But the entertainment industry is usually the market that is hit first. People cancel events, shoots, projects, and go into panic and freeze mode. It reminds me a lot of how the holidays are. Around Christmas time people just stop working. Even when they get an email, a simple response is out of the question. This situation is a lot like that business-wise. People are scared for their business, and they should be.

Since I’m in the same boat I wanted to share what we are doing at C&I Studios to combat this.

First, we have to practice what we preach. So, we increased our marketing spend on our business, our advertising budget, our SEO budget up, and content budget. You name it, we are putting more money into it.

Why?

Because a massive amount of consumers are just sitting at home on the internet browsing their phones. When they are tired of reading news articles about this coronavirus they are looking at products and brands online that interest them. This is where your marketing comes into play.

We aren’t just spending more because we are a marketing company and that sounds good. No, we actually need it to work. We still have projects in the works and are expecting more contracts to be signed. Business will ramp back up in time, and when it does and the economy rebounds you’ll want your business to be ready for the uptick. Ours will be.

Change is good for brand growth, which means this is a great time to adapt and modernize your brand.

I was thinking about the restaurant industry… If you are a restaurant owner, you’re probably freaking out. The lunch rush is gone; the dinner rush is gone. So, what can you do? Well, Uber Eats and Postmates are skyrocketing right now. Everyone is at home ordering in because they have limited options.

Now more than ever, your video content, photo content and social media are THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR BUSINESS. How you present your business online is why people will Postmates from you rather than another restaurant. You have to continue working on building and marketing your brand if you want to stand out and profit. Run some sales, promote discounts, create specials and market them to people in your area. This is the time.

Life goes on. People are still spending money. If you don’t think they are, check out grocery stores, Target, and Walmart. And, yes, people are scared, but a lot of people are also shopping online. So why aren’t they shopping at your store? This is when your digital presence matters more than anything. If you aren’t selling then it’s time to make some moves.

Finally, work on YOUR BUSINESS. You have been so focused on your company’s operations that you are now being forced to think outside the box. Now is the best time to do all those web changes you’ve wanted to do, or setup that campaign, or make that video production project happen. This is the time to plan. Will it all cost money? Yes, but if you don’t get ahead, you will be left behind. Some restaurants and business will remain in business because they will adapt. Others will die because they didn’t want to do anything. That’s the biggest difference right now.

Thankfully all of this can be done from your home communicating with your Advertising and Marketing Agency. Products and commercials can be shot without getting 10 people together. Web projects can be done remotely. Things can happen, you just have reset your mindset from fearful and reactionary to proactive.

Don’t just think about how you can make your business survive; think about how you can make it kick ass. Set yourself up for when the coronavirus is done. When life returns to normal you should be in a position to implement the projects that you created during this lull in business. Not picking up the pieces once it passes.

We will get through this. Do you remember what it was like when you started your company? Good. Stay scrappy, get strategic, and spend money where you know you need to. It doesn’t matter what you sell and who you sell to. If no one knows about your business, then no one cares.

Miller’s Notes Pg. 1: Why We Hire Creative People, Not “Creatives”

MILLER'S NOTES

Why We Hire Creative People, Not "Creatives"

DO NOT READ

Closeup of black ink pen next to pen cap on a notebook with notes in it

03.03.20

This is a pretty big step for me. I normally do not put a lot of things online, nonetheless my feelings. I usually only write about traditional business dealings, and though this has to do with my business, it’s deeply personal. And I’m going to be very real here.

There is so much that happens in business that those in leadership don’t really get to talk about. But here, on this new blogging segment, I’m going to talk about them. A buddy of mine told me that I should speak up more about what actually happens in this company and our industry, so I thought long and hard about how to do that.

Anyway, here I am.

I own and run a production company and advertising agency called C&I Studios Inc. The company is 14 years old and has really grown from starting in the 2nd bedroom of my apartment to a 40 person staff with offices in Fort Lauderdale, FL, New York City, NY, and Los Angeles, CA.

The main services we specialize in are Video Production, Photography, Web Development, TV & Film Production, Graphic Design, Branding, and Digital Marketing and Distribution. We do it all.

We also have a clothing line called The Uncreative Shop, a non-profit called C&I Reach, a magazine called Frame Magazine, a coffee shop and bar called Next Door (which is attached to our studio in Fort Lauderdale), a radio show called Uncreative Radio, and a bunch of other initiatives that I could go on and on about.

It’s a very busy studio and there is never a dull moment. Everything I just mentioned — all of the brands, all of the artwork, and creativity — sounds really awesome and if you went on our website you would see all of these amazing things and probably think the same thing. But what looks great always takes a ton of hard work. And that is where the business side comes in.

Running C&I Studios is hard because we rely on people. People are always the variable. You have to manage personalities, feelings, emotions, and, most commonly among all “creative” men (not women) that I have dealt with over the years, egos.

The disconnect between what C&I is and how people see us is largely the reason why we attract a certain type of person. If you looked at our company website, our various brands, our Youtube and our Instagram then you’d think our work life is super fun. And it is!… BUT it’s also a lot of work. Comparing our online brand personality with the hard work it took to create this culture, and seeing the types of “creative” people that want to work for us has revealed several things.

And they’re not really all that positive…

First, the studios headquarters is in South Florida — downtown Fort Lauderdale to be exact — and the talent pool there is just god awful. I’m from D.C. and up north people know how to actually grind and work hard. People in South Florida don’t understand how to really work. Now there are some diamonds in the rough. We have some people from Florida who are spectacular, but we have gone through soooo many duds because their work ethic just is rarely there.

Being at the top of the company poses some unique challenges. You’re constantly damned if you do, damned if you don’t. But something that is unique to my business is the fact that I am an artist too. I write, shoot, produce, plan, and create all sorts of things for all parts of the company. I have no ivory tower, and I grind harder than anyone I work with. Not because it’s a competition, but because that is how I work.

If I don’t already have a camera on my shoulders, I’ll climb a ladder to fix the ac, clean the toilets on the weekends, and do whatever it takes to keep the business running at full efficiency. We don’t have millions in the bank to throw at the little things, so it falls on us to be attentive and effective. I constantly have to work at being really creative and innovative and also be very logical and strategic. As I like to say, you have to know when to be Yosemite Sam, and when to be a tactical sniper. You need to know when to kick the door down and go for it, and also know when you need to stop, plan and think. So, in these posts, get ready for real examples from a real business person that is still working hard. I’m not rich. I’m still fighting to get the company where I want it to be.

Our goal is simple. Change people’s perspectives with the media that we create. Meaning we are going to create art that moves people, changes the way they think, and inspires them to act. We are going to do all of this with excellence, using only the best gear and the best people.

We are not a cheap $500 dollar studio or anything like that. We are expensive, like all good things. You won’t see our staff running around with little Sony A7s and tight jeans. We are not the type of people who care more about what they look like than what they are producing. Our art is how we express ourselves; our art is how we carry ourselves…not the style of clothes we wear or the personality we want people to see.

We got rid of the word “creatives” at our studio, because “creatives” are petty, and have fragile egos. They can’t produce unless they are inspired. Creatives need to show everyone they’re working at 2 AM; they need to post constant photos of themselves because they think it makes them sound and look more creative.

But from my experience, creatives don’t deliver on time, nor do they do what they say they are going to do. Every single “creative” that we have hired, when they get here, with real people that are actually educated in their craft… Well, let’s just say its funny to talk technically with a creative, because they don’t know basic things at all — lighting, frame rates, how to write an email, do administrative tasks, find out where the closest Fedex is, its mind-numbing to watch them run this obstacle course. They know enough to post on Instagram, but ask them what kelvin this light is at and all you’ll hear is, “uhhh uhhh.”

At C&I, we are professionals. We can create anytime, anywhere, for anyone in any industry. And we call ourselves An Idea Agency, because that is what we do first. We come up with great ideas. Our ideas for you brand or company will be better than anyone else’s. That’s not me bragging, thats just facts. Try me if you think I’m lying. We fall asleep thinking about how to be better, dreaming about your company, our company and how to develop our craft more.

We are craftsmen (and women).We are C&I Studios.

Crew Call | Rain & Water

Crew Call

Rain & Water

To master the elements one must learn to bend water. Rain is not easily illuminated on film. An artist must understand their model as much as the element itself if they wish to turn their union into beautiful art. To focus on only one of the two would produce lifeless art; art devoid of passion and reason. Do you possess the will to create an ally out of water and rain; to see past the curtain and into the soul of your model?

Man with abs posing with a boxing punch under a shower of water

Black and white closeup of a woman with long hair posing for the camera

Closeup of woman with soap suds sitting in a claw footed tub posing for the camera

Why Your Non-profit Organization Needs Professional Photography

01/21/2020
#REACH, #COMMUNITY, #INSIGHTS

Why Your Non-profit Organization Needs Professional Photography

When you’re starting a non-profit, there are so many things to consider that photography might be at the bottom of your non-profit business plan.

Even worse, you could completely overlook it. Your non-profit is nothing without its supporters, though, and photography is a key way to bring in more donations.

Now that everyone has a good camera, it’s easy to think that anybody can take the photographs you need.

Maybe that intern you hired or your colleague who takes lovely vacation photos can handle it?

It might save precious budget funds, but it won’t help your cause.

Professional photography is more than the quality of the camera. Great photography that connects with the audience requires years of experience and talent.

Your images need to convey a message and capture the attention of a diverse audience. It would help if you had a photographer who understands how to do it.

Keep reading to find out why professional photography is essential to the success of your non-profit and why it should have a secure place in your business plan.

The Power of Visuals

We process visuals more quickly than any other type of data and 60,000 times quicker than words.

That’s essential information for every business, especially non-profits that might want to keep spending to a minimum.

If you’re prioritizing your copy to the detriment of your photographs, your audience might scroll past it.

Us homo sapiens also judge images for quality and meaning.

If your photographs don’t make an instant, eye-catching impression, the viewer won’t receive your message.

Photographs aren’t just lovely to look at; they invoke emotion.

This is crucial if you want people to learn more about your non-profit and to take action for your cause.

How Professional Photography Can Help Your Cause

Using a professional photographer is essential for non-profits because professionals understand how to capture more than an image. They can capture emotions, meaning, and stories.

Photography might look like it only involves pressing the shutter button, but it’s a lot more than that.

Emotions

Your non-profit will rely on people donating their time and money to your cause. People don’t give these things away randomly, though.

They need to feel emotions that cause them to want to help.

A professional photographer can use emotion to great effect.

They will both capture the emotions of the people or animals in their photographs and produce images that generate feelings in the viewer.

Images that bring out our compassion can push us to want to help the cause. These emotions are vital to getting support and creating change for the betterment of society.

Connection

Emotions are powerful, but only targeting them might cause you to lose your audience. Instead, you can use professional photographs to create a relationship with your audience.

This connection might be a shared theme or location that people can relate to. We all have unique and diverse lives, but it is universal issues that keep us connected.

From childhood disease and animal cruelty to environmental disasters and water shortages, we all have some experience with many non-profit causes.

Finding these areas of shared experience allows you to curate photographs that form a deep connection with your audience and show the world how they can help you make a difference.

Storytelling

Storytelling has huge importance for how we live our lives. It helps us remember things, connect with others, and find meaning all around us.

Storytelling is also an essential factor in successful marketing. It allows you to show others why they should support your non-profit.

Professional photography helps you tell the story of your cause and how you’re doing good in the world. You can use it at the start of your non-profit business and throughout your projects to form a greater connection with your supporters and audience.

They say images speak a thousand words, and it’s true. Using photography to tell stories is a powerful way to show your audience how they can help your cause.

Authenticity

Stock imagery is the enemy of authenticity, even in a world where there are fantastic stock images available.

By using a professional photographer, you can make sure each photograph is personal to your non-profit and its cause.

When you use photographs specific to your non-profit and your cause, your business will come across as authentic and create a bond with your supporters.

Sharing Culture

Word-of-mouth marketing is the most powerful way to spread the news about your non-profit.

Today, word of mouth means that you need a social media presence. Twitter posts, for instance, see a significant increase in retweets if an image accompanies them.

With engaging images that capture imaginations, users are more likely to share your social media posts, increasing audience exposure.

Your social following can do a lot of marketing on your behalf, as long as you provide high-quality content like professional photographs.

By choosing a professional photographer with experience in non-profit photography, you’ll get shareable photographs for use across all platforms.

PR Images

Unlike advertising, PR can help build brand reputation in a less sales-based way.

By sharing your goals and messages in print and online, you can begin building brand awareness and stick in readers’ minds.

Many publications will search for print-quality images to help them tell the story of your non-profit. Having these on hand is essential, as low-quality photographs might dissuade journalists from writing about your business.

Outstanding photographs will help you draw more attention to your cause and assist in PR efforts.

Make Professional Photography a Key Part of Your Non-Profit Business Plan

When you’re creating your non-profit business plan, marketing will be a top priority.

Professional photography is a vital part of marketing. It allows you to build authenticity, tell your story, and capture your audience’s emotions.

Amateur photography is easy to spot and can do more harm to your non-profit than good. Professionally taken photographs go further than being beautiful to look at.

Instead, they tell stories and convey a much deeper meaning.

To make your non-profit stand out with professional photography, get in touch with us today.

At our studio, we go beyond great photographs. We create powerful images unique to your cause.

The Talented Jasmine

Jasmine | South Florida Model

South Florida Model Jasmine with black poofy hair looking into the camera with her knees pressed up to her chest.

South Florida Model Jasmine Morales with black poofy hair looking into the camera with tattoo on her shoulder

Black and white of South Florida Model Jasmine posing for the camera.

South Florida Model Jasmine Jasmine is among the South Florida Models we love to work with black poofy hair looking into the camera and tattoo on her shoulder

South Florida Model Jasmine with black poofy hair looking over her tattooed shoulder into the camera

South Florida Model Jasmine Morales with black poofy hair and posing with a gray shawl falling off her slender shoulders.

South Florida Model Jasmine posing on a stool with a gray shawl falling off her slender shoulder.

Black and white of Jasmine Morales posing for the camera from behind

The Perks of Sourcing Talent in South Florida

South Florida is indeed a melting pot. Talented people arrive from all over the country and the world to tell their story through art. Among some of the most talented creatives are South Florida models, like Jasmine.

We have studio offices all around the world, from Fort Lauderdale (our headquarters), to Los Angeles, New York City, Washington, D.C., and London. Our work takes us even further than that. There is no place beyond our limits. Over the course of our careers, we have had the pleasure of creating beautiful media with talented models from all walks of life. But what has always remained consistent is the quality of work we find among models in South Florida.

Once we work with a talented model, whether they live in South Florida, L.A., Columbia or whatever… we include them in our talent pool. We have been building up our database of the best models in the industry to guarantee we nail every project–whether it is for a client or one of our passion projects.

Other Talented Models We Have Worked With

If you like this content and want to see more talented South Florida models in action, then check out our Sabela Artist Profile, Mercedes Guittierez Model Profile, Roya Zangoui Model Profile all on #UNCREATIVE–the best source for original content and valuable industry info!

We Work With Other Artists, Too…

In addition to the beautiful models we works with, we also collaborate with the best rappers and hip hop artists in South Florida, which you can check out on our Freestyle Friday video series. We also relaunched #UNCREATIVE Radio, which features famous guests with a knack for setting trends. On #UNCREATIVE Radio, we talk about the latest industry happenings, news, ambitions, and how to build a successful career (no matter the industry).

If you know Jasmine, give her a shoutout on our social media by clicking the social icons below!

The Sauce You Never Knew You Needed

Having Fun With Spec Ads

The Original Banana Pepper Sauce

We love food. Especially food smothered in hot sauce.

In fact, we’re the kind of people devoted to sauce. Our mantra: “The sauce makes the meal.”

You can imagine our surprise then when we came across the sauce that literally no one (not even our mothers) have ever even heard of. A rare unicorn of sauces — The Original Banana Pepper Sauce by Hyattsville Sauce Company.

When we discovered this hidden gem our tastebuds sang with the angels. This is not an over-exaggeration. We loved The Original Banana Pepper Sauce so much that we created a spec ad campaign for the brand. And the heavenly creators of our new favorite sauce don’t even know we’re doing it.

That’s where you come in. We want to get this in front of Hyattsville Sauce Company. Their sauce is so tasty — so perfectly spicy — that we felt they deserved a little free exposure for giving our tastebuds a much-needed break from mundane snackage.

We love helping small brands that we care about.

Call it love at first dish but, yes, we officially — deeply — care about The Original Banana Pepper Sauce. We were so completely shocked that this had been missing in our life for so long that we created an ad campaign promptly titled “The Only Thing Missing…”

The power of this spec ad campaign is the negative space. It draws the consumer’s eye. They immediately think, “something is missing.” And they are 100% right! The Original Banana Pepper Sauce is missing. So what are you going to do about it? Go buy the friggin’ sauce!

What’s at stake? Well, boring food, that’s what.

You must be thinking, “Wait, no, not all food. That can’t be…”

Smarten up! Yes, all food! Your hotdogs are boring; your chicken is flavorless; your burger is generic; your salad is too green; your chicken wings too mild; your rice bowls too dry; your sandwich… don’t even get us started on your sandwich.

You’ve been leading a dull diet. The Original Banana Pepper Sauce has been missing for too long!

If you’re having a cookout tomorrow for the 4th of July and you’re missing this glorious condiment then forget it. Just cancel the party. Otherwise, open your world up to the sauce you never knew you needed and overnight this bottle of goodness from Amazon pronto!

On behalf of Hyattsville Sauce Company, you’re welcome.

The Original Banana Pepper Sauce bottle Spicy flavor next to cheeseburger graphic with slogan and website address

Construction Multiple instances of The Original Banana Pepper Sauce bottle Spicy flavor next to meat graphic with slogan and website address

Let’s Work Together

Crew Call-A Creative Talent Event

Crew Call is the only creative talent event in South Florida for enthusiasts and industry professionals.

Crew Call is an invitation to photographers, cinematographers, models, and anyone with a need for artistic expression to meet us in Studio A for a night of creation.

For each Crew Call event, we build different sets throughout our studio, providing lighting and impressive vantage points. We hire models and professional hair and makeup services to activate each set and keep the models at their best. We stage scenes in ways that will challenge our guests artistically — pushing them to employ new techniques to create beautiful art.

Nothing is beyond the scope of Crew Call. One month you could be photographing and filming models dancing through swarms of smoke and the next you could be shooting a model completely submerged in water. To become a proven professional in this industry one must learn to master the elements. Crew Call is an arena designed to help you do just that.

What started as a quarterly meetup will now become a monthly event. We encourage artists throughout South Florida to prove themselves in our studio. Follow @cistudios on Instagram for updates on the next upcoming event.

upcoming 2021 event dates

JUN 19

JUL 24

AUG 21

SEP 18

OCT 23

NOV 20

DEC 18

BUY TICKETS

Artist Profile Mercedes Gutierrez

Our Artist Profile on Mercedes Gutierrez

When our work relationships become personal relationships, our artwork becomes more natural, emotive, intimate and effortless.

Creating powerful bonds with the people we work with is one of the most important connections we can hope to establish in this industry. That’s sort of why we became our own creative talent agency. Early on, we learned how important it is to embrace the people in our community and the landscape where our art exists. That’s why community is so deeply ingrained in our company culture; it’s why you will see familiar faces in our artwork; it’s one of the reasons we choose to collaborate with artist like Mercedes Gutierrez whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Mercedes Gutierrez is an extremely talented model/actress who we work with on anything from creative profiles, studio rental promotions, client productions, live creative exhibits and more. Not only is Mercedes beautiful, but she also has a unique perspective on life, which resonates positively in her art. She possesses a natural ability to captivate audiences — to draw in the viewer and hold their attention until the credits roll. We hope that shows in this artist profile on Mercedes Gutierrez.

Below are some awesome videos we produced with Mercedes along with a behind-the-scenes look into one of our productions that she starred in. You can contact Mercedes on Instagram to hire her for your next project or work with us to bring your vision to life.

First, we’d like to properly introduce you to Mercedes Gutierrez.

Mercedes came to us with a desire to elevate her career as a professional model/actress before moving to Atlanta. Even though she didn’t have the resources for a new talent reel, we were happy to play a significant role in this production. She wasn’t a jerk, so that really worked out. 🙂 Though we’re most known for working with big brands, we have a special place in our hearts for artists trying to make it in the industry.

We chose to give Mercedes a strong role in the creative process of her new talent reel. Though our team was heavily involved in the conception and artistic direction, Mercedes took ownership of this project. She had a vision for what she wanted. As artists, we fully respect that.

Behind the Scenes.

We live behind the scenes. That’s our domain. But showing the behind the scenes isn’t always about our team and our work ethic. This behind the scenes artist profile on Mercedes Gutierrez shows what it’s like to work with her…

It all happened in the moment. When we were filming Mercedes Gutierrez’ talent reel, we just so happened to have this spectacular car parked inside the studio. We were having such a great time filming with Mercedes that we asked her to mess around and pose with the car. It wasn’t planned and that’s why it feels so natural and attractive. That’s the power of great talent. A strong model — an intoxicating presence — can really elevate a production.

Star of the Show.

When we wanted to promote our studio rental space — to show how dynamic and expansive our space is — we had this idea of bringing a super nice car inside. We wanted to infuse the production with a sultry, seductive, yet powerfully feminine vibe. After filming Mercedes’ artist profile we knew she would be perfect for the role. So, naturally, we invited her back to the studio.

Mercedes was the perfect star for this studio rental promotion. The video demonstrates how dynamic our studio space is, yes. But after the video was filmed and edited it was clear that it had evolved into something far more vivacious.

C&I Storm | Inside the Experience

C&I STORM | Inside the Experience

Make good art… and share it too.

If you can’t invite your peers to appreciate something you made — something you believe is beautiful — then you’re missing out on an invaluable connection.

That’s one of the reasons we helped establish Artwalk 10 years ago.

For a short time, though, it felt like we were losing out. Artwalk seemed detached. It was lacking a certain emotion — a degree of thoughtfulness that has always been trademark to what we do at C&I.

Fashion shows, live hair cutting performances…they’re good entertainment, but they just aren’t exactly who we are.

So we reconnected with Artwalk... and you.C&I Storm was a resurgence of sorts — the return of live, interactive displays that express how our creative identities are connected to our community.

Group of people on studio among art of storm clouds with rain and hanging notes

Man writing notes on tablet among hanging notes

Man and woman among art displays of storm clouds with rain

Group of people looking at writing on backdrop

We put our vulnerabilities out there for everyone to see.

If you attended C&I Storm, you may have noticed that the centerpiece was a whirlwind of handwritten notes from our personal journals. Combine that fidelity with the openness of drawing and writing in front of a crowd…well, by the end of the night we had all shed a few layers of apprehension.

The coolest part of the night, though, was that our vulnerability was contagious. While we were changing roles, you all took to the drawing board to share your crafts, your thoughts, and your reflection of the night as it was still forming. It was awesome.

In one night, we had made up for so much lost time. It felt really good. Familiar even. We could tell you all enjoyed it too. 🙂

Asian woman in olive dress posing for camera in front of backdrop that has a drawing of an eye on it

Artwalk Man looking up at art display of a storm cloud with rain

Artwalk Mother and daughter smiling for camera standing under artwork of storm cloud with rain

C&I Storm was just the beginning.

We had to take Artwalk back by storm to continue along this path of making good art and sharing it too.

So, we’ll see you at the next FATVillage Artwalk on July 28. This month Self-Projection will test your imagination and challenge the depth of your interpretation with living, breathing optical illusions created live.

Vendor Form

We’re Hosting | South Florida Event Planning

We're Hosting | South Florida Event Planning

Event planning in C&I Studios with various sets set up.

Event Planning - C&I Meets A2 Events

Community engagement through event planning has become a cornerstone of the C&I Studios experience. That’s one of the reasons we partnered with A2 Events. Our relationships with neighboring businesses, and our bond with the artists and people who come alongside us to further our shared mission is one of our strongest connections to the community.

When we first started this company we knew that the community would keep us honest. And that that connection would always bring us back to reality to keep us grounded. Together with A2 Events, we are able to support and reward our neighbors with cool experiences, like never before.

When we originally opened our doors in FATVillage, we recognized that Fort Lauderdale deserved art and technological districts that branch from Las Olas Boulevard. So we started hosting community-wide events, like the FATVillage Artwalk. And also offered our studio space to be enjoyed by others. But that wasn’t enough.

Mockup of event planning with purpose with makeshift video projector on a wooden stool with a chalkboard sign saying Now Showing with bulb lights,

Events with Purpose

As our community-wide outreach became more ingrained in our brand, so did the importance that C&I Studios become a venue. It would be pointless for our studio space to exist exclusively for us. So we decided to extend our home for everyone in Fort Lauderdale to enjoy.

Our events are becoming a standard in the community, but maintaining the status quo isn’t really our style. We don’t settle. We strive to push beyond what’s expected of us, because that is what an Idea Agency is purposed to do. If we do not inspire our neighbors to think towards the future then we are not doing our part to better the community. And if we are not bettering the community, we are failing ourselves.

With A2 Events in the equation, we are starting to make the impact we set out to accomplish. With their expertise in event planning we are now able to develop and consistently support the innovative nature of FATVillage as a multifunctional hub of art and culture in Fort Lauderdale. Better yet, we’re able to regularly offer our studio space to companies and artists who want to join in that mission, just as A2 Events has.

Food truck Friday event in front of C & I Studios.

Erin Branham, President of A2 Events

With Erin Branham and her team we continue to orchestrate some of the coolest events in Fort Lauderdale. Her ability to cater to brand-crafted experiences that reflect the marketing goals of each client, from the fine details to the overall message, makes her a great fit here.

Our brand pillars are solidifying on multiple levels, too. From our focus towards influencing and shaping the future development of South Florida, especially Fort Lauderdale, to the way we style and maintain a boutique image. Erin said it best, “We want to be lean and able to adapt to our client’s needs. But also good at developing our employees, and flexible in our work environment.”

A2 Events President Erin Branham and Joe talking about A2 Event planning.

The Big Picture

Take our most recent Taco Tuesday Town Hall event with Big Picture Broward, for instance. We invited our community and city commissioners to take part in an open forum discussion. Together, over free tacos and beer, we had a great political discussion about guiding the future development of Fort Lauderdale. And thanks to Erin Branham, and A2 Events, we made it so the logistics ran smoothly.

A2 Events has really helped us heighten our mission. There’s still a lot that we have to do if we’re going to change the artistic landscape of Fort Lauderdale and FATVillage. But with their involvement we’re seeing progress every week. So, whether you’re joining us for FATVillage Artwalk, First Friday, Culture Club, or taking over our studio space for a company event, know that you’re playing a direct role in creating a new, true downtown.

Our City: Shooting at Fort Lauderdale Airport

01/08/2017
#COMMUNITY, #NEWS

We’ve been asking ourselves… what exactly will it take?

On Friday, the airport we frequent on average more than once a week, made us the most recent city to become a #pray for hashtag. Five people were killed, six seriously injured, and countless people went through an unthinkably tragic trauma.

We have opinions–strong ones–about gun violence. We believe that there are ways to mitigate the sheer volume of gun related deaths in our country. We believe that innocent people should not be senselessly mowed down when waiting for their bags at the carousel. We believe that some of this can be prevented.

We don’t believe that this is going to go away (evil people will do evil things with whatever resources they have available). We don’t believe that everyone should turn in their guns (It’s called gun control, not gun elimination). And we don’t believe that it’s easy to change anyone’s minds as it pertains to the second amendment.

But we’d like to talk about it. We have charts that we’ve studied, we have read the actual second amendment, from “well regulated” to “not be infringed”. We understand the argument from a federal power vs. states rights viewpoint. The fact of the matter is that some states make it easier to purchase an AK-47 than it is to own a dog or sell milk. That seems silly to us.

There are thousands of articles out there like this. Thousands of people spouting off these facts, and displaying these charts, and listing these victims, and pointing towards these petitions, and giving these Congressional email addresses.

But right now, we want to open a discussion. Because we would rather there be a conversation than a one-sided diatribe.

If you are against strict federal gun control laws: Why do you feel that gun ownership should have a wide window of minimum requirements? What happens during a firearm purchase in Louisiana is vastly different than what happens in California.

On a personal level, if you own a firearm, why? Do you think it should be easy to own one?

After 9/11, the federal government formed the TSA. And yeah, it has caused headaches for all of us, but we are all behind it, because we believe it makes us safer. So… what will it take for us to all get behind more thorough federal regulations of gun ownership? If tragedy after tragedy in movie theaters, universities, grocery stores, nightclubs, churches don’t do it… If 20 first-graders don’t do it… What is going to do it?

The Inside: The Importance of Content for Your Brand

The Inside:
The Importance of Content for Your Brand

12/13/2016
#COMMUNITY

Owning a business is hard. You feel like you are constantly spinning plates, unable to keep up with everything from development to finances to marketing. Willie Morris of Faithbox and Sara Shake of Kali Boxes share their insight on the importance of high-quality content.

In this day and age, everyone thinks that they are a photographer or a videographer, but your target audience is much more discerning than you think. They can clearly see the difference between amateur and professional, and they are constantly on the prowl for fresh imagery. They are so quick to scroll past your posts on social media if they feel like they’ve seen that image before, so how can you keep it fresh?

Your brand has a story to tell, and it is vital that you capture and translate that story out to your audience in a very clear way. The best investment that you can make into your company’s success is a solid and clear marketing plan, with your social media presence a priority. Connect yourself, and your brand, with a company that knows how to synthesize your key messages into imagery and words that are unique to you, that speak with your voice.

Willie and Sara talk through the constant pull to market their companies in the video below:

Let’s Work Together

What is C&I?

09/02/2016
#COMMUNITY, #INSIGHTS

So what is C&I?

C&I is a combination of fresh, incredible ideas, the perfect team—who fears no project or deadline, and a little bit of magic.

It is tough to describe what C&I means to us, because it’s more than a company. Being able to help business owners and corporations accomplish a marketing goal through storytelling is an incredible feeling, and we are addicted to seeing these campaigns work.

What we do is hard to replicate. You can’t hire an internal marketing team and achieve the same goal. We have the outside view, the outside opinion, the fresh perspective. We are thinking not only about our clients, but how our clients can be successful every single day. What we do at C&I is more than just a job to us. We were made to create, and we bring that passion to every single project that we work on. We package our creativity with compelling research and statistics to accomplish any goal.

The secret sauce of our company is its people. A team of selfless workaholics that aren’t satisfied with just being good. When we step up to the plate with every client, we never want a base hit, we want to throw our bat on the ground and watch the ball fly into the stands. We aren’t the middlemen, either. We are the men, we are the women, and we know how to take an idea straight out of thin air and technically execute it right in front of you.

We aren’t creatives, we are professionals. Creatives need to be inspired to take action. Professionals are so good, that they need to no inspiration to act.

These words have only tried to scratch the surface of what C&I is. Watch this video, and you’ll see what we mean.

White What is C&I with barcode above it on a red background

Orlando Mass Shooting at Pulse Nightclub

06/14/2016
#COMMUNITY, #NEWS

Orlando.

By now, everyone has spoken out against the absolute horror that struck a town not too far from our headquarters. The temporary Facebook profile pics are up, the hashtags are flowing, the gun control debate is raging, the anti-Muslim rhetoric increasing… this is how we do this. Someone takes a gun into a crowded place, shoots people, and the best we can do is add a profoundly captioned black and white selfie to Instagram, or perhaps a skyline shot. It’s noise, and we are fooling ourselves if we think it is making a difference.

So, rather than contribute to the noise, we want to suggest real action you can take, to help Orlando and to help society.

TALK TO PEOPLE.

Don’t tweet or post or snap. Look at someone in the eyes and have a real conversation about guns, about hate, about terror and fear.

Incidents like these can be very isolating, and members of the LGBTQ community are already often the victims of exclusion and isolation. So talk to your friends who identify as LGBTQ. A genuine conversation will go a lot further than your hashtag.

WRITE AN EMAIL OR A LETTER.

In America, you can go to a gun show, and buy an assault-style rifle without a background check, and this is legal. You can go to a dealer, pull out some cash, and pick up a semi-automatic without even producing an ID. Easier than picking up a 6-pack of some craft brew. If this seems stupid to you, it’s because it is.

Is your Congressman or woman checking out your Twitter? Looking at trending hashtags? No, no they are not. But maybe if enough of us let them know that we’re sick of this, they’ll do something about how ridiculously easy it is to acquire a firearm that can kill hundreds of people in a matter of minutes. Gun control is just that—gun CONTROL. Not gun elimination.

Here’s a quick guide to contacting your Congressman.

PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS.

49 people lost their lives Sunday morning. They didn’t go to Pulse that night asking for their eventual victimization to become a talking point in America. They were real people with friends and families and dogs and cats and jobs and hopes and dreams. Now their families suddenly have to maneuver through funerals and cleaning out apartments and trying to figure out how they are supposed to put one foot in front of the other each day. Send a couple bucks their way.

And learn just a little bit about the victims here.

——

There’s a lot more that we want to say from behind our Macbook screens, but honestly, we are sick of all of the talk. Let’s actually do something this time.

Photo Credit:ABC 7 Eyewitness News

Dailies: Alyssee

09/30/2015
#COMMUNITY

The nature of our work leaves us with hours and hours of material that never gets to see the light of day. In that same vein, it allows us the pleasure of making the likes of Eckhart Tolle proud and allows us the hyperawareness of living in the moment. In having permanent access to a camera in most situations, it’s more often than not that we see little moments that capture our fancy that might otherwise go unnoticed. Tiny lapses of time that we think are worth highlighting. Thats where our Dailies began. Our goal is to highlight these moments in order to gain a higher appreciation for the details that make our day so special.

We captured this Daily with our good friend Alyssee during the Malibu shoot we put together for the Reach Kini. The Reach Kini is a collaborative effort between our non-profit organization C&I Reach and Montce Swim. We wanted to create something that would help fund raise for Reach while still delivering a beautiful product that people want to wear. During the shoot we kept finding new spots and gorgeous natural structures. We spent the whole day in Malibu finding something new in every crevice. We ended up with so much b-roll that was so beautiful, we couldn’t help put this short video up as part of our Dailies.

Selfie-ish: An Art Showcase by Rasberry + Vasquez

Selfie-ish: An Art Showcase
by Rasberry + Vasquez

03/17/2015
#COMMUNITY, #EVENT

Artist Sierra Raspberry hosted an art show for a collaborative effort with her boyfriend. They’re calling the show Selfie-ish. The message inspiring their work comes from the observation that our society has been pointed in a direction that glorifies self obsession and vanity through our social media vehicles.

The show as a whole was looking to shine a light onto that particular facet of our cultural personality that wasn’t present in our lives as short as fifteen years ago. By way of paint on canvas, Sierra wanted to display the phenomenon in a positive light and as part of our natural evolution as human beings.

A Series of Unfortunate Family Portraits

01/11/2015
#COMMUNITY

There is an American unspoken tradition of family plans going awry. We’ve all been there. Mom and Dad try to organize a nice outing with the kids. If it’s at the beach, it’ll rain. If it’s road trip, the backseat arguments will somehow turn into a wrestling royal rumble. There is something so special about the memories made when plans don’t go quite as planned.

For this concept shoot, we wanted to capture that idea. We wanted to highlight the moments, that on the surface might seem to come as bad luck, but in retrospect build the memories we will cherish for the rest of our lives.

THINK Magazine: Young Entrepreneurs

07/17/2014
#COMMUNITY, #NEWS

To say that being a young business owner has its challenges is an understatement. We are so often told “you can’t. You don’t know how. You are too young.” Like most good things though, the challenges make the pay-off that much more rewarding. At C&I, we want only to inspire and be inspired. To create a kinder, more beautiful world through the things our brains help our hands make.

THINK magazine isn’t any old magazine. While they sport a luxury lifestyle feel, they also pay attention to the little things happening in Florida. It’s awesome that they focus on our community. We’re honored to be featured in their publication.

The Garden @ C&I Grand Opening

05/31/2014
#COMMUNITY

It’s here, and it’s glorious. Filled with art, heart, elbow grease, and all things dreams are made of.

We shot the first short video to tease the opening of The Garden. It shows us prepping it for the public. We put our soul, sweat, and tears into it. The second video covers the Art Walk of April 26th 2014 when we unveiled our new space to to the world.

The Garden is an outdoor space that is perfect for any number of events, with a 100ft wide projection wall, murals done by local artists, and a 10 foot Bar in the center. It’s also now home to our brand new recording studio “The Barn”.

We are so proud of this space and we’re thrilled to be able to share this with the community. Meet us at The Garden.

Teaser

Art Walk Live Coverage

Next Door @ C&I Grand Opening

10/09/2013
#COMMUNITY, #EVENT

Next Door was born of wanting a place so specific we had to build it ourselves. We wanted a place that felt timeless with a lining that was obviously modern.

We wanted it to be haven that took you to a place that felt unlike anywhere else. This video was made to rile up the people we love and show them what our hard work and dedication created: our Next Door space and Brew Urban cafeé premier coffee shop.

Our grand opening was a huge success. A ton of people showed up to check out our new spot and gave us more love and support than we knew what to do with.

Come visit us at Next Door, we’ll have a cup o’ joe for you, and you can even read a few pages of that Neruda book you’ve been procrastinating to read.