Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Colop De Leon.
Hi Carlos, 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?
My name is Carlos Colop, and I am originally from Guatemala. My passion for cameras and storytelling began when I was very young.
When I was eight years old, my father moved to the United States. The following year, he sent our family a Sony video camera so we could record our lives and send the videos to him. At the time, video calls were not available, so those recordings became a way for us to stay connected across the distance.
That camera sparked something in me. I began filming my family, our celebrations, and the everyday moments we shared. I was always the person behind the camera, although I never imagined it would one day become my career.
Growing up, my family had very little money, so I learned to be resourceful from an early age. Before I turned 16, I would complete and sell homework assignments to earn extra money. At 16, I got my first formal job and began working every day while continuing to attend school. Those experiences taught me discipline, determination, and the importance of creating opportunities for myself.
I moved to the United States when I was 18. I arrived without knowing English, and adjusting to a new language and culture was extremely difficult. Still, I was determined to learn. I began taking English classes, and within approximately six to eight months, I had developed the language skills I needed to move forward.
I then continued my education at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, where I completed two years of study toward a transfer degree. At the same time, I began exploring the creative industry. Between the ages of 18 and 22, I modeled for several businesses in Portland, Oregon.
Although modeling introduced me to the industry, I eventually realized that I did not want to be in front of the camera. I wanted to be behind it; returning to the passion I had discovered as a child.
At 25, I decided to take a leap of faith. I quit my job, purchased cameras and lighting equipment, and began building my business through photography. In those early days, I was willing to do whatever it took to connect with people and share my work. During November and December, I would dress as Santa Claus and walk through downtown Salem with a cart carrying my camera, lights, printer, and speaker. I offered people photo sessions, but what I was really selling was emotion, the opportunity to capture a meaningful moment.
Five years later, I have gained valuable experience and a much deeper understanding of the industry. Today, my primary focus is business-to-business media production. I help companies strengthen their brands through premium photography, video production, social media content, and other visual media. I still photograph weddings, birthday celebrations, and private events occasionally, but my main mission is helping businesses grow through high-quality storytelling.
My greatest dream is to make films. I want to create movies, short films, and advertisements that audiences will see on the big screen. That vision continues to guide everything I do.
Today, I am proud to operate my own independent studio in the 45th Parallel Building. I have built lasting relationships with clients who believe in my work, and I am excited to welcome new businesses that are ready to elevate their image through professional media.
I have always been a hustler, and I have always been a dreamer. What began with a Sony video camera and a desire to stay connected with my father has grown into a career centered on capturing stories, creating emotion, and helping others bring their visions to life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the greatest obstacles I faced when starting my business was the uncertainty. I believed I was prepared, but I quickly realized there was much more to building a business than I had anticipated.
After quitting my job, I eventually had to take another part-time position while continuing to grow my business on the side. Balancing my day job with photography and media production was extremely difficult. I had almost no social life because nearly all my time was spent working. At times, the quality of my creative work also suffered because I could not give every project the time, energy, and attention it deserved.
Once I was able to work on my business full-time, everything began to change. Having the freedom to dedicate myself completely to my craft allowed the quality of my work and my technical skills to improve significantly.
I am still learning and growing every day. I do not consider myself a master because I understand that mastering this craft requires years of dedication, practice, and refinement. There will always be something new to learn and another way to improve.
Building the right relationships and learning how to negotiate have also been challenging. Sometimes, it is difficult for me to place a fair price on my own work because I tend to undervalue myself and undercharge. I am learning to recognize that my experience, skills, and the quality I provide are now at a very different level from when I first started. Part of my growth as a business owner has been learning to value my work as much as I value the work itself.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My business, CRCProductionss, specializes in business-to-business media production, with a primary focus on advertising and marketing. We help businesses strengthen their brands through premium photography, video production, social media management, and high-quality digital content.
Although our main specialization is commercial media, we also work with private clients to capture weddings, birthday celebrations, and other special events.
One aspect of CRC Productions that is especially meaningful to me is our support for nonprofit organizations. Because I previously worked in the nonprofit sector, I understand the importance of their work and the financial limitations they often face. When nonprofits partner with CRC Productions, I offer discounts ranging from 50% to 75% because I believe in supporting their missions and helping them share their stories with the community.
I
also want my studio to be more than a place where clients come for media services. My vision is to create a welcoming space where photographers, filmmakers, artists, and other creatives can freely express themselves, exchange ideas, and bring their visions to life.
CRC stands for Create, Renovate, and Collaborate—three values at the heart of everything we do. Collaboration is especially important to me because there is only so much any of us can accomplish alone. When we combine our skills, perspectives, and creativity with those of others, we can continue growing, open new opportunities, and reach greater heights together.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I have learned throughout my journey is the value of building genuine relationships. Before trying to sell a service or even discuss business, it is important to connect with people and understand who they are and what they truly need.
The stronger your relationship with a client becomes, the better you can serve them. When clients know that you genuinely care about their goals and success, trust develops. I have learned that when you take good care of your clients, they will often take care of you in return. To me, lasting success is not simply built on transactions; it is built on trust, connection, and mutual support.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://crcproductionss.com
- Instagram: @crcproductionss
- Facebook: @crcproductionss
- LinkedIn: @crcproductionss
- Youtube: @crcproductionss
Image Credits
All photos are credited by @CRCProductionss. Except the last one holding the gimbal credited by: Credit photo by: Kimberly Aikman. Instagram: @kr_kreatives_
