Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Chelmis
Hi Paul, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was 14 when I got my first camera, and first left the country. They happened at the same time — probably by my mother’s design, now that I think back on it. “4-in-1 photo, video, audio recorder and webcam”. It was a cheap little thing.. practically a toy. But when I wielded it, I felt the power of creative possibility surge through me as if it were a $15,000 Hasselblad. My brother and I immediately got to work. Mostly f*rt jokes, pictures of cats, and strange improv skits featuring French giraffes and chaotic court sessions.
It wasn’t long before we found ways to use this camcorder unintended by their foreign manufacturer. If one rapidly shook the camera while taking a photo, it would come out distorted like a Dali painting. If I popped off the plastic lens cover, I could overextend the focusing element by hand and achieve some truly wild macro shots of bugs.
At the time I think my mother was pretty mad at us for not paying much attention to the tour guides during that trip, but in reality we were self-learning some crucial lessons about creative potential and the perception of the world around us.
Fast forward to now and I’ve dragged my gear through 30-something nations across six continents, worked with some extremely talented people, had the privilege to tell some really incredible stories and put some meaningful art out into the world. I feel like I’m making at least some amount of a difference here, and that sustained thirst for learning more, seeing more, expressing more, gives me the potential to grow exponentially. And that’s all I could ever really ask for in life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have absolutely been, and continue to be, challenges. For one, anyone in any creative field knows the perils of social comparison — that feeling when you see someone in the field doing something truly remarkable. And while you’re inspired, you’re also like “Damn. I could never be that good. I could never think of an idea that original.”
It’s the eternal plight of the creative mind, and of course with social media being what it is now, seeing those people who are, in your eyes, “better than you” has never been easier. So it’s hard but important to remind myself that a) those people have always and WILL always exist, you just didn’t know about them before, and b) there are probably people looking at YOUR instagram right now having the same thoughts about your work. It’s all relative, and just because something’s been done doesn’t mean it’s off limits. All art is recycled anyways. That’s the point of it, really.
Another consistent struggle of mine is ADHD. It hurts sometimes to think about what I would’ve achieved by now if I didn’t have the executive dysfunction, the time management issues, the struggle to build habits, the slew of other shortcomings that are associated with ADHD. But I also know that’s a toxic train of thought, and remind myself how incredible thankful I am for my body, mind, and life such far.
A lot of people say ADHD is also a blessing. I don’t really know how to measure that since I’ve never been any other way. I definitely suffer from the “jack of all trades, master of none” syndrome. But I love each and every one of my interests and wouldn’t trade them up easily. When I was younger, I would console myself with “I’ll get my shit together eventually. Things will fall into place as I get older.” Now, after years slipping by and that not really happening on its own, I’ve accepted that working with my ADHD will be a lifelong effort. And since then, once the objective was set, things have begun to improve.
There’s also been a slew of total godsent resources in the recent years, as ADHD has been further studied and respected. Podcasts like Huberman Labs and communities on Reddit, as well as personal therapy, have really shed some life-changing light for me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a photographer and filmmaker with nearly 20 years of experience, with a focus on documentary and international journalism. I’ve lived with indigenous tribes in the Amazon rainforest and followed trafficking operations in India. I have a keen interest in exploring the full beauty and the ugliness to the corners of the Earth, and maybe even challenging perceptions of which is which.
OK, that’s my “I’m a badass” pitch. When I’m not trying to impress people, I’m making music with my friends, making jewelry while my cats wait for their chance to steal a piece of silver solder, or enjoying delicious cuisine of all types and cultures.
I also run a Youtube channel with my partner Jing where we tell all kinds of stories — sometimes personal, fantastical, educational, or just weird and funny. It’s honestly a great way to get to know me… ironic as that sounds. We focus heavily on authenticity, despite the trends of late-stage social media. It’s also a great creative outlet, you’ll see a lot of my photographic style come through there.
How do you think about happiness?
Dang, I didn’t know this was a separate question… that’s like all I’ve talked about up until now! I should’ve saved myself.. well to recount, I guess it comes down to doing what I love. Tacky, I know. But I wake up every day and thank the stars I don’t have to report to someone else or pretend to be into a job that in the heart of hearts just doesn’t feel right. I also love the opportunities that my craft has brought me. World travel, feeling a strong connection to nature, getting to glimpse at lives that are inherently different than my own… and again, eating incredible food. I’d be doing my Greek/Jewish heritage a disservice if I didn’t mention it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://paulchelmis.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulwhoislost/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jinglesparkle
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7i4JTnpkfPVwO7Ax73gWrE?si=YypzSJPpTlyJnn55dmX3EQ
