I bring stories to life.
For more than 20 years, I have worked at the intersection of creativity, technology and production, making content long before the industry had a name for it. Along the way I have partnered with agencies including The Martin Agency, Goodby Silverstein & Partners and TBWA\Chiat\Day, produced broadcast television for NBC Sports, and directed campaigns for Porsche, Toyota, PepsiCo, Red Bull and Amazon Advertising.
Curious, driven and genuinely obsessed with using the right technology at the right moment, I thrive where creativity, strategy and impact converge. I'm based in Los Angeles and work with brands and agencies wherever the story takes me.
It has been a circuitous route. I was born and raised in Southern California and earned a degree in Public Relations from Pepperdine University. A thesis project for an automotive company turned into a career before I had even graduated, and my role as Marketing Director made me blow the dust off my camera and start shooting again.
From 9 to 5 I learned sales, marketing and business fundamentals, then ISO and shutter speed into the wee hours of the morning. The next four years were spent learning, failing and trying again until I understood the fundamentals of light. In 2007 I quit my day job and set off on a journey filled with cars, racing, wine and manufacturing, not necessarily in that order.
At some point the still images turned into moving images, and I cut my teeth on video at the racetrack, in the world of drifting. I was quick to adopt new technology that let me do more with less, a habit that has stuck, and one that eventually put two of my commercials on air during the Super Bowl.
My background in business and my understanding of production and post let me deliver work that looks great and stays fiscally sensible. The approach has always been the same: do good work and have fun in the process.
Off set, I'm a photographer, editor, technology geek, husband and dad to two adorable mutts.
Experience
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2007 to now
Founder / Commercial Director Ember Digital Inc.
A creative production studio making broadcast, digital and social campaigns for agencies and brands, from brief to final delivery, on budgets from $10K to $700K.
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2023 to now
Co-Owner / Property Manager Red Dirt Retreats
Built a Kauai vacation rental business from one condo to two fully renovated properties, with Superhost and Guest Favorite status.
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2022 to 2024
Senior Manager, Creative HRL Laboratories
Built a creative production operation from the ground up at a private defense research lab, translating complex science into human stories for executives and the public.
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2011 to 2012
Co-Founder / Commercial Film Director Digital Guerilla Inc.
One of the earliest branded content studios focused on automotive film, for clients including BFGoodrich, Electronic Arts, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai.
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2003 to 2012
Photographer / Videographer DC Chavez Creative
Automotive, racing and commercial work, including Climb Attack: Brazil, a Red Bull sponsored film that passed a million YouTube views.
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2009 to 2011
Blog Contributor Profoto USA
A monthly series on professional light-shaping tools for photographers and filmmakers.
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2002 to 2007
Marketing roles, through Marketing Director AEM / DC Sports
Business development, creative production and marketing leadership at an automotive aftermarket company.
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Education
B.A. Public Relations, Minor in Multimedia Pepperdine University
Clients
- Amazon Advertising
- BMW
- Cadillac
- Chevrolet
- Electronic Arts
- Ford
- GoGuardian
- Hyundai
- Infiniti
- Kayak
- Kia
- Lexus
- Mercedes-Benz
- Morinaga
- NBC Sports
- Nissan
- PepsiCo
- Porsche
- Red Bull
- Riedel Crystal
- Robinson Helicopter
- Sparco
- Subaru
- Toyota
Agencies & Studios
- Carmichael Lynch
- Cie Studios
- Cramer-Krasselt
- Dent
- Dentsu
- The Designory
- DraftFCB
- Energy BBDO
- Goodby Silverstein & Partners
- Havas Chicago
- Innocean
- McCann
- MullenLowe
- R/GA
- Razorfish
- TBWA\Chiat\Day
- The Martin Agency
- The xD Agency
Recognition
- Gold Telly, On A Mission: Atlanta Rising (2018)
- Silver Telly, L'Arte Dell'Olio (2020)
- Bronze Telly, Honoring the Ingredients (2020)
- Webby Honoree, Guitarrero (2017)
- Jury Selection, Jalopnik Film Festival, Intervals (2015)
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot