Casey Collette
Q What do you do?
“Hi! I’m a Digital Content Creator based in New York City.”
Ever since I was young, I’ve been a keen observer of my surroundings. It fascinates me to think that everyone sees the world from his or her own personal viewpoint.
Media plays a big role in our perception of ourselves and the things around us. I’m passionate about capturing those intangible moments of realizations through my lens—whether that be metaphorically or physically—and expressing it by the means I believe are best suited for the context.
While a senior at SUNY Oneonta, one of the most meaningful projects I was involved in was the creation of SUNYFEST, the first ever virtual SUNY concert. Planning the logistics of this event taught me so much about the interiors of Marketing/Content Creation and, most importantly, was a bridge that brought people together after the peak isolation of the pandemic.
In essence, I would like to further my career using social media as a tool to connect people in a world that can seem disconnected at times.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
In my early years, I started creating content with my iPhone, and later upgraded to a high-quality DSLR camera. My eye for what to focus on has since improved tremendously, along with my editing skills. I started with the basic iMovie app, and now use Final Cut Pro for video editing. For 6+ years, I have gained such valuable insight on producing high quality videos and photographs. As a result of my interest and talents, I pursued a Bachelor's degree in Media Studies/Communications with an Art minor.
During my time in college, I created content for personal use as well as for the organizations I was a part of. I was selected for the Public Relations position in my sorority, which extended to being offered the position for all of Greek life, as well as for the Order of Omega Honor Society. These positions allowed me to exhibit my skills, as part of my responsibilities entailed promoting activities of these organizations on social media.
After graduating from Oneonta, I landed a position as a Media Assistant in the heart of New York City with a wine importer, Vineyard Brands. This job taught me so much about the interconnections of the food and beverage industry, marketing, and societal and cultural perspectives on the hospitality business. In addition, I learned a lot about myself as an employee and team collaborator. I gained many transferable tools and skills that would further the advancement of my career. I am appreciative of both the people I’ve encountered and the experience I’ve gained. Seeing through others’ “lenses” gave me fresh perspectives, both as a new urban resident and a business professional.
Although working as a Media Assistant was a valuable growth experience, I came to realize it wasn't my true passion in life. In December 2022, after a year and a half with the company, I decided to leave the company to pursue a career in Marketing and Content Creation.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I have a natural eye for innovation and creativity. I have always had a genuine inquisitiveness driven by my curiosity to better understand the world. My ability to connect with people and cultures allows me to extract elements of their everyday life and communicate this through video and photography. I love being able to find connections between varied topics, and express my vision through fashion, lifestyle, photography, and video.
Graduating from college during COVID-19 helped to shape the person I am today. It showed me I had the ability to be flexible in my thinking and approaches to challenges, and was capable of outside-the-box thinking in a world emerging from isolation.
Q What are you working on right now?
As I use my experience with social media and photography skills to establish my name and reputation, I am working to showcase my favorite fashion styles and unique taste in design choices. To this end, I am enrolled in Marketing courses to advance my knowledge and best promote myself and my brand.
Q What’s your style?
I love to create and showcase different views of what many people may think of as ‘everyday’ things or activities. I feel that I have a unique blend of different styles, and any one could be spotlighted at any time, depending on my mood and the circumstances. I feel as though my personal brand is like that of a chameleon; I can change depending on the situation, but am always the same at the core. This versatility is what makes me stand out. I am currently active on Instagram, displaying the many sides of my lifestyle and fashion.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I would like to focus my energies on the Marketing Industry related to Skincare, Fashion, Travel, and/or Lifestyle. I feel I can accomplish this through social media marketing & networking.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Finding the right work/life balance is something that has been frustrating me.
I tend to give my all into my work, and while that means I can succeed at something, I may be doing it at the cost of my personal life. However, I am continuously learning how to take time for myself and unplugging when needed. I have learned that a person’s energy is the most valuable resource he or she can own. Maintaining a healthy balance between your personal and professional life allows you to continue to thrive in both.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
If I could hire someone for $20/hour, I’d have them take on the clerical components of the business, such as ordering, processing, and answering emails to allow me the time to focus on the creative and designing aspect of the business.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
At a very impressionable middle school age, I was worried about what people thought of my videos. I would often fall prey to criticism and end up deleting a lot of my earlier work. Those videos are now gone forever, and I no longer have the opportunity to see my true creative baseline or appreciate just how far my talents have progressed. Today, I would tell myself that you can never please everyone, and perfection isn't attainable. Any creative endeavor will always be subject to interpretation, and is not necessarily the same to all people. There will always be critics, and there will always be negativity. The true value is in knowing that there are people who will understand your point of view and appreciate your creativity, even if they do not agree.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I would ask “What inspired you to do what you did? What were some of your greatest challenges and how were you able to press on during those challenges?” I am fascinated in learning how successful people who share my interests and passions think, I want to know what makes them tick. In such an emerging field, there were undoubtedly times where these experts encountered new challenges that no one had ever foreseen. I think it would be so valuable to learn how they thought about these new obstacles and the thinking and perseverance that led them to be at the forefront in this field.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I have a deep desire to work with brands that allow me to contribute my talents and resources to creatively expand their product, while allowing me to meet new people, explore new places and form new experiences. I feel this will help me to further the knowledge and skills I already have as I envision my own brand. I would like to make the ideas of my client come to life. High on my priority list are projects which promote positivity, inspire people, and create self confidence.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
While I would love to work with a large, well known brand, my ideal job would be to work with a small business or start-up that would like to expand their online presence, where I could showcase my creativity in expressing their ideas. I would love the opportunity to grow along with a brand, and give a viewpoint aimed at others within my same demographic - young, educated, urban adults who want to express themselves.
Q What is your rate?
My retainer would be based on the project, however, I would be willing to take a percentage of the sale, ownership from an equity position, or even a trade for product/promotion.
Contact me to discuss more details.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
I prefer for people to get a hold of me via email or through a Direct Message on Instagram. A sense of humor is a great way to get my attention.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
India Blue Severe (Indy Blue)
As a young, captivating storyteller and content creator, Indy tells her stories through videos and blogging. My favorite video she created was ‘Dreaming with my eyes open’. In this video, she captures life in motion and makes the user feel alive in the moment. Indy is also the creator of the LonelyGhost clothing brand. Indy uses her platform to connect people from around the world through her clothing and lifestyle brand. She uses phrases like ‘It's cool to care’ and ‘I love you say it back’ on her products as a method of inspiring people to care about others. Indy is an influencer portraying real life moments through video and photography. Indy’s passion for life is raw and beautiful, and she focuses on fostering self-acceptance and positivity. I admire how she uses her platform as a way to reach out to others, allowing them to feel less alone, and seems to genuinely care that her voice is heard by those people who may need to hear her message.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Travel, Observe, Be Inspired and Open-Minded
This member profile was originally published in July 2019 / Last Updated February 2023.