Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelby Ring.
Hi Shelby, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I fell in love with video production + storytelling as a yacht chef in the British Virgin Islands in my early twenties. My personal “Aha!” moment was realizing how fleeting this moment may be, and I wanted to remember it. So, I grabbed an outdated GoPro on the boat and dove into the water at Guana Island while freediving with a ball of baitfish. I was so in love with my life. So proud of all the fears I’d faced in that chapter of life. It would have been negligent and irresponsible to not document these sweet stories worth telling – in my personal life and for clients. And I’ve felt that way ever since.
In this year, we’ve filmed world-renowned athletes, extreme sports above and below sea level, weddings, erotic portraits, cancer journeys, lingerie lines, distilleries, breweries, celebrations of lives that have ended too soon, healers, special forces veterans, chefs, men dressed up as women. To me, it’s all the same — telling stories worth telling.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I think the name of the game as a business owner is risk-tolerance. Being able to hang in the tension of the unknown as you begin to scale, believing that you have a specific something to offer your clients they can’t find anywhere else — and standing in that confidence. Coming through COVID-19 was challenging given that much of our work is destination weddings + large event video recaps, so the term “blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape” couldn’t be more true as we continued in our path and learning how to adapt to the times. Practically, working in a male-dominant industry (video production) it certainly has been a journey to recognize my own power for our niche (and not tolerating any clients or colleagues who can’t see it for themselves.) I love training women in video production and teaching these powerful intuitive souls a skill set that’s traditionally been wrapped in “do not touch” red tape.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Ruby Riot Creatives?
We are first and foremost visual storytellers. We live and breathe video production (brand campaigns, event recaps, portraits, interviews) but also love creating photography content for our clients as well. We’re women-owned, women-operated production studio, so we find ourselves working with big, outspoken-energy brands, saucy businesses, and really, really fun clients. My roots in video production started below sea level filming underwater and working aboard sailing catamarans, so that lends itself to taking on a lot of travel/adventure/extreme sport causes and brands. We’re known for bringing big “girl boss” energy to our clients and their projects. That whole expression, “A person won’t remember the words you said, but they will always remember the way you made them feel.” is one of the biggest anchors of our creative process for our clients. It is SO intimidating to get in front of a spread of cameras, so we always lead with an inclusive, Hype-Woman vibe first and foremost. Making sure our clients feel comfortable, at ease, and being able to direct the talent in front of the camera and articulate so they can absolutely shine with their message is always the goal.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
You have to let loose for creativity to flow. When it comes to such a creative medium such as video production, that art form of storytelling, you have to keep yourself creatively fueled and inspired. We invest heavily in setting our schedules up where there is time for movement, dance, music — other mediums from other artists that fill our cup so we can bring that vibrant inspiration to our clients’ projects.
Contact Info:
- Email: heyruby@rubyriotcreatives.com
- Website: https://www.rubyriotcreatives.com
- Instagram: @RubyRiotCreatives
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rubyriotcreatives/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/rubyriotcreatives
Image Credits
Sean Money
Elizabeth Fay
