Today we’d like to introduce you to Sasha Graddick.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Storytelling has always been a passion of mine since childhood. Starting in high school, I joined the student news program because I wanted to a reporter. At the University of South Carolina, I majored in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Sports & Entertainment Management. Sports became my focus because I used to love watching football, baseball and basketball games with my family. I used to watch the female sideline reporters and aspired to be one of them one day. Once I noticed there were not a lot of women of color in those roles, it motivated me to work harder to be their position, so that I could inspire a young girl that looks like me one day. After college graduation, my journalism career was put on pause while I navigated life during lockdown and thinking about the future. In 2020, I became an intern for the Charleston RiverDogs but the season was cancelled before any games were played. Luckily, I was asked to come back in 2021 and I have continued to work for the team for the past five seasons. While my journalism career didn’t pan out the way I imagined, I found a new passion in videography and photography. Now, I’m able to tell stories through the lens of my camera instead of being the one in focus.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The path of my career choice hasn’t been an easy road because imposter syndrome is a constant feeling for me. Social media is a wonderful source of inspiration while also being the biggest hinderance via comparison and the feeling of not being unique or “good enough.”
In Spring of 2023, I was struck in the face with a foul ball. At the time, the doctors told me that there was a 50/50 chance that I could lose my eyesight and would most likely not be able to use a camera again. Truthfully, that information sent me on a mini-breakdown. It made me wonder what other career could I possible to do? Storytelling has always been my dream and now all I could see was darkness.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a multimedia freelancer who specializes in photography and videography. Primarily, I work in professional and collegiate sports with a side of portrait and wedding work. In the past, my video shooting and editing skills were my strong suit, but now, I’m best known for my photography. As the video production intern for the Charleston RiverDogs, I was able to be a part of a team that showcased a championship coming to Charleston for the first time in almost 100 years. Working with that team opened my eyes to the possibilities that working in sports hold and being a part of that team is one of my proudest achievements. My ability to adapt to situations, learn other people’s habits, and being a team player that is willing to listen and learn, is what sets me apart in my mind. Before 2021, I never really touched a camera for photography and now, people come to me for advice on how they can get better at their craft. Being able to recognize and remember the habits, routines, and superstitions of players and clients, makes my life fun because I am able to focus on what are the best moments to capture.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The creative industry is constantly changing for the good and the bad. Social media (for now) is what dictates the biggest trends but teams are leaning more into letting the creatives just create. When creative people are in charge, everything seems to work out for the better. Creatives have a keen eye on what people want to see and how to stay relevant in a rapidly changing landscape. At the end of the day, creatives are fans just like anyone else and they want what is best for the team and their clients. This is an industry where the human element is hard to replicate or replace. The future holds limitless potential but the art that is made by creatives is the heart of what captures the truth and beauty of the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sashagraddick.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sashagcreative/
Image Credits
Sasha Graddick
