Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Davis.
Hi Christopher, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When I was young, my mom had a Canon 60D that she used for sports photography. I loved taking the camera out to snap pictures, but it was always just for fun. After high school, my family took a five-week trip out west, and on a whim, I decided to vlog the entire journey. I had no real experience with videography—just bits and pieces I’d picked up from YouTube.
Up until then, I never thought of myself as a creative person. But through making those vlogs, I fell in love with capturing life in a way that felt unique—seeing the world through a lens rather than just my eyes. That experience ignited my passion for filmmaking.
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset, and once I realized I could build a career with a camera, I went all in—learning everything I could about cameras, lighting, storytelling, and business. I didn’t start my own business right away, but that trip was the beginning of my creative journey.
I’ve had the opportunity to work in-house for a corporate business and at a creative agency prior to starting Merrill Film Group. I was able to take what I learned from those experiences and apply them to my own business. This helped me create a perfect scenario for myself. I’m very grateful for those opportunities because it taught me how I wanted to run my own business. Of course I’m still building, and I hope to continue to build for my entire career. I believe learning never stops. I will continue to work extremely hard to better my craft, perfect my skills, and keep making impactful videos.
Looking back, my younger self never would have imagined me here. But I’m beyond grateful to have found something I’m deeply passionate about—something that excites me every day while also allowing me to support myself. I’ve become completely obsessed. It’s been an incredible ride.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the hardest obstacles I’ve faced was leaving the comfort and stability of the 9-5. The creative agency I worked for ended up closing, leaving me out of a job. Very suddenly, I had my stability stripped, forcing me to figure some very serious life things out.
I used that opportunity to bet on myself and go all in.
I’ve always been a huge advocate of self-investment. This was the perfect opportunity. It felt scary. I didn’t feel ready. But at the same time, my gut feeling told me I would be okay.
Over the last two years, I’ve been able to build my own stability. I couldn’t be more thankful for the obstacles and challenges I’ve faced in my career because they have led me to where I am.
I’m no where near the finish line, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the process.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I love to connect with people and have had the opportunity to interview many different people. I want to listen, learn, understand, communicate, connect, and share. I’m here to add value and help.
When starting my business, I decided to focus on Brand Story Videos. This gave me the opportunity to be expressive creatively, while connecting with people and sharing their story. Working with others to bring their vision to life, while still keeping my own creative touch.
My passion and love for this industry runs so deep I will always seek new opportunity to grow, learn, and create some amazing videos.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The film industry will continue to change and grow over time, just as it always has. I’m excited to see new technologies, programs, and gear come into the market to use as tools to better our craft as filmmakers.
Of course AI is a big topic in most industries, I don’t feel worried about it taking over. Human kind will always strive for human connection. Implementing AI can be highly useful for your business. In fact, if you’re not using AI you’re completely missing out. But don’t fear it taking over. Instead, find ways to use all of these new technologies to enhance our craft.
Social media and short form content has been a huge trend over the last few years. Although short form and vertical content is fun, I will always have a love for classic horizontal content. So, I’d love to see that trending again. It never went out of style, especially for those within the industry. But, I want to see it more of a focal point.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.merrillfilmgroup.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmedbychristopher/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophermerrilldavis
Image Credits
Tia Latoya Photography
