Sean Van Wickle shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Sean, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something outside of my work that has, honestly, taken over my life over the past year is gardening. Taking a little seed and nurturing it into a big plant and maintaining that plant brings me a lot of joy. Gardening has also brought my mom and me closer together because it is something that she also enjoys, and now we do it together.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Sean Van Wickle, and I am a 23-year-old cinematographer and photographer. I am originally from New Jersey but came to Atlanta to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design, where I got my BFA in Film & TV. I bring a unique blend of creativity and technical expertise to every project I undertake. Whether capturing the essence of a moment through a lens or crafting stunning portraits that resonate with emotion, my work reflects my keen eye for detail and dedication to my craft.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My parents are the ones who have always seen me for who I am and who I would become. My whole life, they have been really supportive of my creativity. They would buy me gear to help me level up my camera expertise, encourage me to keep trying when I got frustrated, and the biggest thing they have helped me with was encouraging me to pursue filmmaking as a career. In my junior year of high school, as I was getting ready to apply to colleges, I was really worried about the competitive nature of this industry and my ability to make a living with it. So my idea was to go to school to be a lawyer. Luckily, my parents knocked some sense into me (still in a supportive way), and helped me realize that filmmaking is what I truly love, and I am thankful every day that I went to school to study film.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
For me, the fear of failing has really held me back the most. I am very much an overthinker, and I often worry too much about what other people think about me and the end result of my projects, especially when it comes to my photography.
For example, when I have free time, I like to set up some self-portraits so I can practice lighting and keep my creativity flowing. Often, when I get to editing these pictures, if they do not immediately look perfect, I start doubting myself, and I have gotten so frustrated that I have abandoned a shoot altogether. I know that this mindset has been destructive to my growth, and it is something that I am actively working on.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
A project that I am committed to, no matter how long it takes, is my short film “Downbeat”. It is a film that I wrote and directed as my capstone at SCAD. The film is based on true events in my life, which, in all honesty, has caused me to take a step back from the project for a period of time. But now the film is 100% done and will be ready to submit to festivals for this upcoming spring.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I believe I am dong what I was born to do, ever since I was a little kid ive had an interest in cameras. Photography and filmmkaing are really the only interest I have had that have lasted. As far back as I can remember I have memories of attending my older brothers baseball, football and basketball games, and taking my dads Nikon or cam-corder to capture him playing. Then in middle school I started expirimenting with stop mothion and making little shirt films wiht my friends before I joined my high schools film program where my love for making movies really developed. Story telling and capturing artistic images as alwasy be aprt of who I am, amd it always will be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.seanvanwickle.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanvanwickle/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-van-wickle-506667208/
Image Credits
Melina White, Idali Mejia,
