Skylar Wilson
Q What do you do?
“Hi! I’m a videographer, photographer, and editor living in Southern California! I love to form connections with brands, creating a ‘look’ that showcases who they are and gives them a unique and memorable aesthetic. I grew up in a beach town, so a love for the ocean is evident in my work. My background in shooting includes fashion, surfing, music video, narrative, and lifestyle! A mixture of different types of work is something that keeps me creatively inspired.”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I spent several years in Los Angeles working on film sets before I moved south to begin a freelance career in Orange County. I work regularly with established brands such as Catch Surf and I-Sea Sunglasses, but love the idea of helping up and coming companies or individuals develop a visual ‘look’ that encompasses their brand.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I think that being freelance in the video / photo trade is all about becoming a ‘swiss army knife’ creatively. I spend a lot of my time experimenting in different mediums outside of my field, whether it’s learning how to animate gifs, designing graphics for a little surf hotel in Nicaragua, or figuring out how to create a cinemagraph. Because of this, I’m a one stop shop, bringing more to the table than just photo, video, and editing.
Q What are you working on right now?
My current passion project is a documentary. I’ve never made anything quite this big or comprehensive, and it’s great to have something challenging to work on when I need a creative recharge.
Q What’s your style?
My style can change from project to project, but I excel when it comes to pairing video and music in the editing room. Easy Slider is a video I made and toured through Europe and the Domestic US in 2022. It’s a great encapsulation of my attention to detail in visuals, editing, and evoking emotion through the use of music.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I love video and editing, but there’s something magical about a still photograph. I’d definitely like to take some more photos this year!
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Freelancing feels like a constant hustle. It can be difficult to continually motivate yourself to balance the work you have while also trying to get new clients. As a creative, I tend to find the business / promotional side of things challenging.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Sort through all of my raw footage!
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I wish I had taken a business course in college. Having a better grasp on finances, setting rates, marketing, and developing business plans would have been immensely helpful in such an isolated / self reliant line of work!
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
You name it. I’m a naturally curious person and love an opportunity to learn about almost anything.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I’m open to having a conversation with anyone looking to create something they’re excited about! I love working with small - medium sized companies or individuals, and thrive outside of the studio setting. Although I have on-set experience, I prefer shooting ‘in the wild’, utilizing natural light and the beauty of the world that surrounds us. I spend a lot of time on the road for work, so I’m no stranger to travel :)
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
Working with a company like Catch Surf has been a blast because they have such a clear and distinct brand identity. Knowing exactly what the client wants and being able to deliver that is an incredibly rewarding experience. I would love to continue doing that for different brands with different ‘looks’, as half the fun is mixing things up and shooting something new! If the brand is beachy or outdoorsy, that’s definitely a bonus!
Q: What is your rate?
Nothing in this field is ‘one size fits all’, so my rates vary based on time, equipment, travel, etc. I’m always open to having a conversation and working with a potential client to make things work within their financial constraints. Let’s set up a call and see if we would be a good match!
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Feel free to shoot me an email! From there we can set up a call and talk about your project. m.skylar.wilson@gmail.com
Q Who is a creative you admire?
I have so many talented friends I admire;
Jon Howell is an incredible designer and fountain of creative knowledge.
Elliot MacGuire is one of my oldest friends and favorite nature photographers.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
I draw tons of inspiration from watching movies, listening to music, going outside, and having long conversations with other creatives!
This member profile was originally published in February 2025.