Conversations with Eli Chandler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eli Chandler.

Hi Eli, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
it all started as a kid born in conyers georgia. i was raised with 5 siblings, often is houses way too small for that sized family, but we made it work. music was my first love, my first passion and my first gift. I played drums as a kid, and i spent countless hours and days at the studio with my father (Jeff Chandler) who was a gospel recording artist and song writer. I watched my dad perform in front of 10’s of thousands of people, which only made my love for music and the industry flourish even greater. Fast foward to highschool, i picked up a camera as a hobby just because i loved creating and editing and experimenting with visual creations… Then i started meeting and connecting with musical artists in ATL, and that’s when i realized WAIT, i have a way to add my style into music in a more effective way! i loved playing drums always, and i still do, but being able to create music videos and album covers, gave me a feeling that i was finally contributing to the “mission behind music” after all these years in a more unique way. A tragic highschool car accident left me with deep memory loss and self identity issues, forgetting my previous life entirely and forgetting myself and my purpose entirely. which became a blessing and a curse. in a strange and beautiful way, forgetting your memory is a blissful headspace. you don’t remember any of your trauma, heart breaks, deep hurts… which can be beautiful in the eyes of so many people, but often times we forget that our trials, hurt, trauma and pains are the BLUEPRINT to your growth, and success. so losing my memory wasn’t just a breeze, it was a brand new point of relearning myself, my family, my friends, and ultimately my entire life. but through that, doctors told me i couldn’t do anything that could potentially put me in harms way, because if i got another head injury it would’ve been tragic for me. no skateboarding, no riding in cars, no hanging with friends unless we’re just sitting and eating or playing games… it changed the way i existed entirely. BUT, through that confusion and depressive season, a fire in my heart began to burn for CREATING. i began spending everyday of my life shooting and editing, ignoring school work and responsibilities, just shooting and editing. sometimes i feel like i’d edit 3 shoots in a day before id eat 3 meals in a day lol. it became my obsession, my passion, my everything. i realized then, that if i sacrificed fun, partying, friendships, the “Kid Stuff” and got straight to work, I could change my life. i wasn’t particularly good in school either, i always struggled with focusing and adapting to environments that i felt disrespected in. i was always told that i had a problem submitting to authority, but i disagree actually. I just realized from a young age, that I shouldn’t ever have to be in places where i am made to feel lesser than, in anytime or place in my life. even as a kid. but, i was expelled twice, which eventually ended up with me dropping out in highschool to pursue photography full time. at 17 years old i began shooting as much as possible FOR FREE, for every artist, influencer, CEO, entrepreneur that i could find in atlanta. which quickly turned into me putting on free events for the city, with 100+ people coming out to support my team and these young music artists. After a year of consistency in atlanta applying nonstop pressure, i got picked up by my first talent manager, and by 18 i was traveling the world full time capturing the life of different celebrities, creatives, entrepreneurs, etc. fast forward to today, i’m 22 years old, i am a full time self employed entrepreneur and photographer, and am also a talent manager and booking agent for a multitude of evangelists, celebrities, artist, athletes and more. I have an amazing team that is growing day by day, and am deeply focused on impacting the lives of others through the love of God, in US. I pray and i pray that God uses me in every single avenue that he desires for my life. whether that may be to create impact, to love or to lead, i do my best to stay in the face of God everyday, because his guidance is the only reason that I’m here today, and the only reason that we’re all breathing today. How can i wake up everyday and not smile and smell the roses man? I’d be discrediting the creator who gave me TODAY AS A GIFT!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
being misunderstood deeply as a child and teenager was hard for me, very hard. i was always constantly in trouble everywhere i went. not even necessarily because id be doing bad things, i was just different and people didn’t know how to communicate to me in a way that i would understand. i was the only person that refused to be put in a box, in a world full of small minded individuals who never lived up to there own full potential, so they dang sure couldn’t see it in somebody like me. another struggle point was the car wreck. after the wreck i had to be at the doctor nonstop and basically relearn my own balance system, so that i could walk straight again. My balance system was so off, that if i read a book too fast i’d get so dizzy that i’d fall over or puke. so that sucked lol.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a photographer and videographer, specializing in photography. I’d say people love my photos man, they always get so much love, and i love taking them. my entire creative process really revolves around love. Im known for being a dot connector in many circles, and for having consistent, quality and trustworthy business! I manage Evangelist/Influencer Jamey Carrington, and Music Artist “Maddix”. i’m most proud of the life i’ve built out of something as simple as a camera. My life is a living testimony that you can do anything with your life if you stick to 1 thing, stay focused, stay disciplined, be willing to make BIG sacrifices in your journey, and listen to the words of Jesus every single day of your life. I travel monthly all over the world, i was just in paris last month, then went to switzerland, new york, la, and more. all in the past 60 days, so yeah i’m proud to say that ive built a life that i love where i can travel and see this beautiful world.

my heart for people is what sets me apart from others. i do what i do because i love people, and it’s my honor to serve people. i love being able to take care of others, in my personal life and in business. if somebody told me i’d me never get a paid a dollar from taking another photo ever again, i’d still be waking up every single day doing this. It gives me hope for a future, and i believe that’s because it’s a gift from God.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
To be honest man there’s so many people i could thank and give credit to. My assistant Steven Arenas Cano is my biggest team player and helps me handle all of my business. My childhood best friends still keep me grounded.

in 2022 i was living with my parents for a time again, and i moved 6-7 of my friends into my basement in my parents house. we started a “label” called “Basement Boyz” and we just made music 24/7 and shot videos all the time, and my mom would be upstairs making food enough to feed all of us DAILY. so definitely shoutout to my momma man. but anyways, my assistant steven was in the basement with us, and he is now the only person left with me in the space! we’ve stuck together and have captured so many amazing projects. steve has been an amazing assistant and intern honestly.

cheerleaders, theres so many people… but honestly i wanna shout out Chidibere Udogwu, Billy Streck, Mu Abdul, And Ron Mcdowell. these people are folks that i personally consider my mentors, they pour into me every chance that they get the chance to, and they’ve given me an open hand of guidance and love whenever i needed help. Chidi (artist, manager, painter) helps me understand myself as a creative and as a whole. he is the first person who showed me what its like to have a personal relationship with your craft. Mu abdul (dwight howard’s manager) has been a strong force of inspiration and courage, offering me guidance in learning talent management and business educate. Billy Streck (business owner/mentor) is an amazing family man that walks in love and peace every single day, and the way he conducts himself personally and in business is so genuine, and unique, hes impacted me on so many levels and has reminded me of the peace that i carry within myself when i’ve needed it most. Ron Mcdowell (famous painter/artist), is a deer friend of mine, i believe he’s in his late 70’s. he was Michael Jackson’s dear friend, and art teacher. i met Ron a few years ago, and we’ve bonded since. we talk weekly, and he inspires me in a lot of the same ways that Chidi does too honestly. I am working on a Documentary with Ron as well, so stay tuned for that ladies and gents.

Pricing:

• if theyre interested in booking me they can contact me at [email protected] or DM me @elicchandler (website on the way)

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elicchandler/
• Twitter: https://x.com/echxnd
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@elicchandler
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/elicarltonchandler/

Image Credits
Eze Opara, Julia-Kate Chandler, & Steven Arenas Cano