Meet Matthew Snell | Creative Director & Cinematographer

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

Hi Matthew, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Truth is I found myself longing for the ability to create my own schedule and focus, creatively, on the projects that kept the passion alive. Being a creative and spending so many years creating under a microscope or micro-managed by forces that weren’t invested on the same level became daunting. Being able to work exclusively with individuals that are open the creative process to bring their desired vision to life. The trust from clients and co-creatives, in my opinion, is what we search for when forging out on our own.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started SMPL Co in 2018 while working for a property management company is Colorado. I have been a graphic artist since 2010 and starting taking small side jobs designing logos, company branding, advertising collateral, etc. When I made it out to Colorado I decided to pick up a camera again and invest in some tools. Fast forward a couple years, after long hours of time invested, the word got around and I opened up shop full-time. SMPL Co is a full service creative agency, offering anything from Graphic Design, Branding, Marketing, Photography and Cinematography in all forms; from action sports, to landscapes, to weddings.

The journey was a brutal one, long hours, working minimum wage jobs to pay the bills. Now, I did leave a great job in Florida at a top advertising agency to explore the mountains, but risk-taking is what its all about. I’d have to say the SMPL Co brand has been built on the idea that nothing is out of reach. If you really want to make it happen, you will.. When I first moved to Colorado in 2014, I was a lift operator during the day and dishwasher at night. I would stay up all night workin on this old iMac I had doing small designs for t-shirts, stickers, and little projects friends or people I met needed help with. I leveraged my jobs and the people it allowed me to meet to showcase what I could offer. Not only did it allow me to make lasting meaningful relationships, it created the boom in potential projects, that 3 years later I was able to maintain this full-time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well this one has some depth to it! Colorado in general has so much to offer in-terms of things to do, see, eat & drink! I currently reside it Basalt, Colorado and love some type 2 fun. So, mountain biking, skateboarding, arduous hikes to alpine lakes are always on the docket. Give me some Slow-Groovin BBQ, good authentic Mexican food, a Dive-bar, or a brewery and thats a good time. No shortage of any of that across this state.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Support is the word, and it has links back many years prior to this point. I’d say, anyone and everyone I have ever worked with, partnered with, co-created with, have all lent a hand in supporting and encouraging the journey. The support from family is always cherished, and the relationships I get to make with my clients always seems to last longer than a job. In the early stages, when most clients would hear that I do this part-time or as a hobby, they not only encouraged me to transition, but sent referrals without hesitation. I owe it all to those individuals who trusted me enough to pass my name onto others. Your network is your biggest asset.

Website: https://www.smplco.io/

Instagram: @seesickmatt