Shooting Her Way To The Top : Millennials Making Moves - Chelsea Ruffin

Name: Chelsea Ruffin

Age: 23

Occupation: Photographer , Serial Entrepreneur

Shaa Ravine: Who is Chelsea and what do you do? We know that you are a serial entrepreneur and have several things going on. Can you tell us about some of the projects that you have in the works?

Chelsea Ruffin: Hey guys, first I would like to say thank you for featuring me. To answer your question, I am a 23 year old entrepreneur located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Some of the things I do is photography, social media marketing and street team management just to name a few. I am currently working on my clothing brand and much more. Stay Tuned!

Shaa Ravine: Talk to us about how you developed your businesses and personal brand. What was your initial idea/business? When did you realize that you wanted to expand your brand and create apparel, web tv show etc? How did you go about expanding?

Chelsea Ruffin: When I created my brand it was to help promote and market anyone in the fashion, art, music, and entertainment industry. Everything really falls together. With marketing and promotion clients need photography and Videography. They needed publicity so I started to do interviews. Since its hard to get on commercial radio, I wanted to create the platform for the upcoming artist. The clothing was created just to help promote the brand.

Let's step back for a second:

SR: How did you get your start in the industry? How old were you? Were you always interested in photography?

CR: People really don't know this but at the age of 14 years old I was a street team leader for actress/singer Keke Palmer. As I got older I did a lot of social media marketing/ promotion for brands and upcoming talent. While doing events I would take photos for promo. So I just started doing photography and took it to another step.

SR: We see that "FAMEUS" is significant to your brand(s) is that an acronym for something? How did you come up with that?

CR: Fashion, Art, Music, Entertainment,. The US actually means something too. I want to do a really cool contest in the future so someone can figure out what it means. To be honest I was sitting in 10th grade technology class when I came up with the idea.

SR: Many people pick up photography as a hobby or for "social media buzz", but what does being a photographer mean to you? How does that affect the way you interact/engage/shoot your clients? Are you self-taught? Any camera recommendations for budding photographers?

CR: I really enjoy doing photography. When people are at concerts or events they like to dance and sing along. I'm totally different, I would only go to an event or concert if I'm working or taking photos. When I'm shooting everthing around me is like silenced. I really be focused on my subject, so that helps me shoot the best photos. It's not the camera it's the skill. If you have the skills you can use any camera. I use Canon, Nikon, and Sony.

SR: Can you explain to us what is going through your mind when you're at these events and you're photographing celebrities? Are you nervous/excited etc? Do you ever get distracted by the high energy around you or even star struck?

CR: I have shot some of the biggest celebrities you may know. Inside I be super excited, but my face or body language will not show it. In my mind I be asking myself how I got the opportunity to shoot these big events. But it really a blessing! I always have to be focused, and never be starstruck.

SR: Are there any challenges that you face in your industry? If so, how do you overcome them? What is it like being a young African American female photographer?

CR: I never had any challenges. No one ever have to tell you how to do your craft. But always listen to what people have to say and learn from it.

SR: If you could photograph any person or event who or what would it be and why?

CR: I love Angela Bassett! If I could photograph her, it would be a blessing! Her personality is on point and acting skills are on point. Every role she plays is 100.

SR: As you know, the purpose of this movement is to highlight millennials that are chasing their dreams and doing significant work in their respective industries. So looking back on your journey what advice would you give to other creative millennial entrepreneurs?

CR: If you don't succeed at first it's okay. A lot of people have dreams and goals that they want to achieve. Sometimes what they plan don't go how they want it ,so they get discouraged and want to quit. But when they feel like that, they just have to keep pushing. Life is all about trial and error.

SR: Social media and technology is a large part of my life as a journalist and has really helped me to make connections as well as make a name for myself. Now I aim to create an online space/ community that highlights and uplifts exceptional Millennials like yourself. How do you use social media / the web? Has it played a role in your entertainment /photography career?

CR: Most Definitely, without social media I wouldn't be where I'm at today. Myspace.com was the social media website that played a big part in my career today. Because of social media I was able to network with the right people to get me started.

Be sure to follow Chelsea on social media

@FameusChelsMedia

Fameuschelsmedia.com