Today we’d like to introduce you to Chanell Huecker.
Hi Chanell, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I am a self-taught creative and have been in the creative industry since I was 12 years old. I started out sharing my content (short films and music video remakes) on YouTube from 2006-2019.
Growing up, my parents always had a disposable camera and a camcorder close by to capture our family adventures, summers, and Christmases. I deeply loved and admired how it was a way of preserving memories. I was gifted my first camera in 2006 and the rest is history.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Whether you’re in the creative industry or not, I think it’s fair to say everyone experiences hurdles of some kind in their career. I’ve definitely faced some challenges, but I wholeheartedly believe they’ve helped shape me into who I am today.
When I started this journey over 15 years ago, I struggled with consistency. I believe consistency is one of the biggest components to success, but I struggled to maintain it early into my career because my focus wasn’t completely narrowed in on creating content. I always viewed it as a hobby and for years, I never wanted it to become anything more than that.
After creating content for 13 years on social media, I abandoned it completely in 2019. It was the year my husband and I got married, a time I heavily valued my privacy and truly wanted to be in the moment with my loved ones—something I remain mindful of to this day.
I was never certain when I’d publicly return to social media, but I always knew that if I did, it would feel absolutely right: 3 years later, here I am.
My first full year back has been wildly extraordinary. I’ve reconnected with so many people who have been with me since the very beginning on YouTube and I’ve also built connections with a handful of new faces since creating on Instagram and TikTok. I remain deeply grateful in every sense of the word.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I always jump in, heart first. I heavily value quality over quantity. Everything about the creative process is my favorite. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see an idea, no matter how big or small, transform into something so magical. I truly love it all.
‘bychanell’ was created last summer to serve more than one purpose. There are so many layers to my craft without limitations in place: creating for the sake of creating — all done with love and by chanell.
I launched my TikTok account January 2022 with my initial intention of creating videos solely centered around photography. However, I quickly began to evolve my content to become more of what made me feel the most joyful. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a huge movie buff – I love everything about movies and respect how much goes into them, so recreating some of my favorite comfort movies from home and sharing them with the world makes my heart happy. Spreading joy and laughter is all I ever want to radiate through my work.
I’ve hit some incredible milestones on both Instagram and TikTok that have unveiled some of opportunities beyond my wildest of dreams. I am beyond grateful for having such a supportive and encouraging community.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
As a self-taught creative, my skills have evolved over the years through trial and error. If there’s ever a time I feel stuck or unsure of how to go about shooting photos or editing a video, I usually search for helpful tutorials on YouTube to provide guidance and insight. Lately, I’ve been loving how much I’ve learned from other creatives on Instagram and TikTok. Growing alongside a supportive community has been really special.
Contact Info:
- Website: bychanell.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/by.chanell
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bychanell
- Other: http://www.tiktok.com/@by.chanell
Image Credits
Adrienne Salinas
Brian Huecker
