Today we’d like to introduce you to Craig Allen.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Well, I started my creative journey very early in my life. I came from a musically creative family. I was about 5 or 6 years old when I first started experimenting with music and singing. I’ve been singing all of my life. That’s what drove me to creating content and shooting music videos. It started as a hobby I would have my little brother and little sister do with me so that I could put my own music videos out. As I gained more knowledge in videography, I know that’s what I wanted to do as a career. I started putting my own music videos out then, next thing you know, everyone wanted a music video from me and it grew to something bigger than I would’ve ever imagined.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a smooth ride at all. My life from the beginning was crazy. Due to birth complications, My mom conceived me at four months. I was born blind, paralyzed and partially death because I wasn’t fully developed yet. I frequently lived in the hospital and endured countless surgeries. The doctors and my family told me that they had to keep me in an incubator for five months fast forward, throughout my creative journey, finding myself and where I belonged in life, I’ve battled with a lot. My dad passed away in 2012, leading me to drop out of school and kind of give up on life. So, I battled homelessness from 2012-2016. In 2017 I went back to school and got my GED and began starting my life over. I got a job at Wendy’s and with that first check, I bought a camera and jumped back into videography and creating. I made a promise to myself to never give up and to always go as hard a possible so that I would never see myself back in my past ever again.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a celebrity Videographer. I specialize in filming and directing music videos. I’m known for my work with a wide range of celebrities such as artist Sy Ari Da Kid, comedian & actor DeRay Davis, members of Lil Durk’s OTF label, I’ve done photography for artists such as Lil Baby, EST Gee, Meek Mill and many more. I’m most proud of my ability to grind hard and work as if I just started. Every day I see it as if I’m just starting out, trying to prove myself all over again. That’s what keeps me going. It’s my vision.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I’m very passionate. I’m passionate about my work and my craft. I’m intelligent. I’m self-taught in everything I do. That’s intelligence in my eyes. How I can turn a thought into a monetized business. I share the power. Yes, I built a great business and name for myself but, along this journey, I have no problem helping others succeed in their dreams as well. I love when I can bring other aspiring videographers on board and watch them grow. I’m very helpful. That’s the key to my success. I’ve shot over a thousand music videos and helped thousands of artists see a price of their own success. Just by me creating and loving what I do. That’s dope to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: CraigAllenFilms.com/
- Instagram: Instagram.com/CraigAllenFilms
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Officialcraigallen
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@CraigAllenFilms
Image Credits
Meshia Hayes | A Good Life Photo Co. Phil Dangerfield | PMFGoat317 Matteo King | FammoFilms
