Meet Chris Nielsen | Co-Founder @ VYV & Event Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Nielsen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, how do you think about risk?
Calculated risk taking has had a really big impact on my life. When it comes to VYV, the smelling salt company I cofounded, jumping in on a new venture was a huge risk. We’ve bootstrapped the company ourselves and taken no outside funding to reach the scale we’re at today. In order to take that risk, you have to be confident in the product, yourself, and the overall strategy. We knew that the smelling salt market was already pretty saturated, but we believed that we had a unique positioning and a unique product. By focusing on testing our value proposition before we ever started shipping, we all felt comfortable about the risks and challenges ahead of us.

When it comes to my photography business, taking risks is critical. The only way you will stand out and get noticed is if you take risks and do things that others wont or haven’t even thought of. I risk my gear for shoots on the water and I try to create unique shots for the artists I shoot for to stand out and help them stand out. When you take a risk and it pays off, that feeling is magical. That’s the feeling that I constantly chase with a camera in my hand.

What should our readers know about your business?
I picked up a camera for the first time relatively late in life. I was already in my 20s, but as soon as I started shooting photo and video, it became an obsession. What started as a hobby at first very quickly became random freelance gigs. Gigs included everything from baby showers, to architectural shoots, to headshots. But the photography gigs that I really gravitated to was concerts.

It’s been amazing shooting for some up and coming artists in the Chicago and Denver areas. At the stage I’m at today, I see these types of gigs as mutually beneficial brand building. I’m really trying to build my personal brand in the live event photography space and being able to capture intriguing photos and videos for up and coming artists allows them so boost their own brand and social profile, driving more people to their live shows.

By cultivating this set of skills around brand building and what content is engaging on social, I’ve recently been able to launch and help scale another side hustle with two other cofounders: VYV. VYV is a reusable, pocket-size smelling salt, balanced with a cool mint scent. We’ve made the traditional smelling salt more approachable through both our product formula, bottle design, and marketing.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m a sucker for getting up into the mountains. One thing I love about living in Colorado is all of the nature there is to explore. We’d start out on a camping trip in the Buena Vista area. But first… Need to fuel up at Bonfire Burrito in Golden. Hands down the best burrito spot I’ve ever been to. We’d do some off roading up to a mountain top lake near mount Huron, grilling on the Colman stove and doing some exploring to the handful of alpine lakes and rivers in the areas.

When we return to Denver, we’d call in an order to Blue Pan Pizza for pickup. And chill out at home and get cleaned up and hang out for the evening.

I’m usually pretty busy with work or one of the side hustles throughout the week, but in the evenings, I’d make sure we hit a few of my favorite restaurants, bars, and breweries: Margot, The Fifth String, Improper City, Ratio (the King of Carrot-flower beer is a must drink)

Depending on the Red Rocks lineup that week, we’d also try and snag some last minute tickets to a show. If tickets are too pricy or we’re just not feeling any of the artists, I’d make sure we do a sunrise cruise out to Morrison so that we can soak up a Colorado sunrise from the top of the Amphitheater.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to my buddy James Fisher who goes by the DJ name Align. We were coworkers at a tech consulting firm back in the day. Since then we have both moved on to new roles at new companies. James is my connection to the music industry and the reason I ever got the opportunity to shoot my first concert.

Align has been blowing up recently, booking headline shows all over the country and recently played Red Rocks, opening for Big Gigantic at Rowdy Town XI

My photography career wouldn’t be where it was today if it wasn’t for James being an amazing music producer and taking me along on the ride with him.

Website: https://chrisnielsenphotography.mypixieset.com/

Instagram: @chr.is.photo

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-nielsen-2a265766/

Other: @vyvbrand on Instagram & TikTok