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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.

History Matters | Michael Jordan

The Sporting Life of Michael Jordan

by Charlie Villanueva

Charlie Villanueva tells the story of Michael Jordan, who by acclamation, is the greatest basketball player to ever play the game. He played fifteen seasons, winning six championships and five MVP awards. He turned the basketball court into his kingdom and was hailed by all as His Airness. His legacy is marked by one of the most iconic shoe brands — a testament to his soaring and leaping style of play, which was unlike anything the league had seen before.

History Matters | Jean-Michel Basquiat

The Artistic Life of Jean-Michel Basquiat

by Brandon Allen

Brandon Allen tells the story of Jean-Michel Basquiat – a Brooklyn-born painter who was one of the most acclaimed contemporary artists of his generation. His graffiti-inspired style was evidence of his intelligence and a testament to poetic justice. Despite his lack of formal training, his art contained immense depth. His complex painting style, teeming with bursts of colorful imagery and controversial writings, entranced the New York art scene.

History Matters | Frederick Douglass

The Free Life of Frederick Douglass

by Lexi Taciak

The lovely Lexi Taciak joins us in this episode of History Matters. She discusses Frederick Douglass who escaped from slavery and became a leader of the abolitionist movement. His writings are highly acclaimed worldwide. Lexi tells us about his life, his achievements, and his legacy today.

Douglass wrote three autobiographies in throughout his life: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Bondage and My Freedom, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, where he details his experiences as a slave and his life thereafter.

History Matters | Shawn Carter

The Entrepreneurial Life of Shawn Carter

by Joshua Miller

Joshua Miller, the CEO of C&I Studios, tells the life of Shawn Carter – an American rapper turned entrepreneur who single-handledly created a new culture through his music and business pursuits.