BORN FROM FILMING STUDENT NIGHTCLUBS IN MANCHESTER, TO FILMING GLOBAL BRANDS.

Hello, I’m , Creative Director of Trendy Grandad, a successful global video production company. I founded Videographer Life at the end of 2024 to empower videographers with the knowledge, tips, and tools to build highly profitable video production businesses. Here is where it started.

My journey began in 2012 when I left my hometown of Norwich for a runner’s job at ITV Daytime Entertainment in Media City, Manchester. What started as a two-week experience turned into a full-time role after I (in classic Stokely fashion) talked my way in! Over three years, I climbed the ranks to TV producer, learning the ins and outs of video production and unknowingly sharpening my sales skills.

After ITV, I ventured into freelancing, gaining experience on TV shows and online ad commercials. I bought my first camera, DM’d Manchester nightclubs, and started honing my videography skills—often in exchange for beer! Through trial, error, and plenty of late nights, I began to build my business.

Fast forward seven years, I head up sales, marketing & creative direction of my video production company, who now works with brands like National Geographic, QuickBooks, and Barclaycard. It’s been a wild journey, filled with lessons, challenges, and wins. Reflecting on it all, I realised how much easier my path could have been if I’d had access to the knowledge I now share in this blog.

Videographer Life exists to give videographers the tools they need to succeed and reap the rewards of building their own production companies. I hope you find inspiration here and use it to elevate your video production business.

Big love, Stokely x