Meet Kelly Hillick | Videographer & Photographer

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

Hi Kelly, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk is terrifying. I’m naturally very shy, so every little step outside my comfort zone is extreme for me. However, almost every risk I’ve taken has paid off in my career. I took a risk changing my major mid-semester in college, I took a risk applying for a job that I had no grounds to get. I took a risk picking up a camera with no prior experience and just making stupid shorts in my backyard. I took a risk doing free film/photography just get some practice under my belt. I just put myself out there – letting people know I wasn’t the best photographer or videographer ever, but I would work the hardest and do whatever I could to give them the product they wanted. Risk is being vulnerable and honest with yourself and others around you and learning to lean into those that support you the most. It’s insane to me that all those little risks I took have helped me grow into the filmmaker I am now. You don’t need a fancy film degree or a $40,000 camera. All you need is passion, determination, and the confidence to get out from under your safety blanket every once in a while and take that risk.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I was 18, I made a music video over a Jack Johnson song on my iPod because I was bored (and really lame). I shared it on Facebook and I was surprised by how many people actually liked it. I was in college at the time studying History, which I loved, and I didn’t think much of it. Then another night, my roommate and I were bored, so again, I pulled out my little iPod and we made some stupid short of us in our dorm room. Again, I shared it on Facebook, and people really liked it! I thought, “Hm, maybe there’s something to this…” Next thing I knew I was switching my major. We didn’t have a film program at my college, so I spoke to what I thought was a counselor (he actually was one of the most amazing Doctors in the English department). I told him I didn’t know what to switch my major to. “Would it be theater?” I asked. He barely spoke a word, began aggressively typing on his computer, and printed out a piece of paper with all my new classes. He said, “Nope. Here’s your new schedule. Starts tomorrow at 8 A.M.” I had no idea he switched my courses to all upper level communication courses. It was then that I became an English Major with an emphasis in Mass Communication. One of my first classes was the study of commercial advertising, and I INSTANTLY fell in love. PR, Marketing, Media Law, Film, Journalism, Creative Writing – all of it was so interesting to me. I really dug deep and began working for the College TV station and the Sports Information Center, covering all the important sporting events. And it was easy. It was easy because I worked hard and loved it. It was easy for me to manage my life as a 2x DII athlete, the TV Sports Manager, and the Sports Information Intern. I never slept, but I adored every second of my life. And interestingly enough, I went viral 3 times in college for my films! After college, I applied for a radio job, which I had no business applying to because, ironically, I didn’t take one radio class in college. I managed to get the job, and I worked my way up the ladder to become the Director or Marketing & Digital Integration for 6 radio stations. At the same time I became their photographer and videographer, all while coaching high school sports. Being an athlete has really helped me have the drive, work ethic, and the hunger to get what I want in life, all while being accountable and reliable to those around me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a sports freak, so we would go skiing, hiking, or camping, all while bringing our own stove and backpacking food. If we were skiing, we’d hit up Monarch, A-Basin, Copper, Cooper, and finish at Wolf Creek and Purgatory. If we were backpacking, I’d show them my favorite mountain range – The Sangres. There is nothing better than an apple on top of a 14’er!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The most influential people in my story are hands-down my college professors. Every single one of them believed in me and always spoke so highly of me. I wasn’t the most talented, I didn’t have the best grades, and I was often late to class, but they always were so understanding and wonderful to me. I remember them being flexible with my sports schedule, pushing me to be my best, and always telling me, “Kelly, you better make a career out of this!” Dr. Finney, Dr. Bonnstetter, Dr. Guerrero-Murphy, and Professor Ledonne, seriously thank you so much for helping me find my passion. I am so blessed to have had such an incredible college experience, and that is thanks to you all.

Website: www.sidewallstudios.com

Instagram: @sidewallstudios

Other: Tik Tok – @sidewallstudios