Meet Chris McCarroll | McCarroll Media : Blending Technology and Art

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

Hi Chris, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
So I really discovered photography when I was a young kid. I grew up looking at all the classic magazines including National Geographic. I was so awestruck. When I was 9 someone put a camera in my hand. Suddenly I was able to make pictures like the ones I grew up on. I never thought Id be one of those few lucky people to do that for a living. As I got older I discovered that I have a love for business management and growth. Its not about the spreadsheets, although that’s fun too. It was about the people. Bringing a bunch of random people together for a common goal of taking care of our guest. I have been a part of creating, opening, and operating restaurants, bars, hotels, and a number of other small businesses. I even drafted business plans to create a major film studio, a radio station, and and airline. Needless to say, there there has always been a lot of positive stress in my life regarding business. Photography has always been one of my favorite outlets to relieve the stress of life. Even after 35 years of doing this I still find something to learn every day. Even with a wealth of knowledge I still feel like I am just scratching the surface of what I I can learn. I love seeing the world through my camera. I love creating moments and capturing magic. There is beauty everywhere you look. By going into business I can work with some amazing people. I have some of the best clients. I can share how I see the world while blending it with their project and together we can make something truly memorable and amazing together. From weddings to boudoir to real-estate to automobiles to family portraits and all kinds of events., Life is meant to be shared. I can share these fantastic moments with my clients while making something that can be shared with the world now and for generations to come. Going into business really lets me take control of both art and life. I love being my own boss and choosing my own projects. Truth be told I like having the weight of the business on my shoulder. Sure, its more stressful but in the very best way. I’m not just collecting a paycheck. I am actually building and directing my future. Plus I get to do what I love. What could be better than that.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I started a version of McCarroll Media about 15 years ago doing photo restoration and analog to digital transfers… Its not my primary business model these days though I do still enjoy doing that. I dissolved the company and took some time off. In 2016 I moved out to Phoenix from Key West. I took some jobs that had me traveling. A Lot. For years I have had this little voice on my shoulder saying I needed to open up another company, to do what I love, to get back to what I’m passionate about. So in late 2019 I decided the following year would be my year to kick off the new and improved McCarroll Media. Little did I know what the world was about to go through.

Like so many people, the pandemic really dropped a wrench in things. Always trying to stay on the bright side, it gave me a chance to really buckle down and refine the inner business structure. I became an LLC. I designed a new logo. Spent some time working on a product line so I can open a store. I worked with some lawyers to refine contracts and other documents and a lot of other boring business stuff that I wont bore you with.

I also used the time to build a new massive editing work station so I can work in 4K and 8K formats. I partnered with iGuide to be able to do 3d Virtual tours. This is great for residential and commercial real-estate projects. I partnered with Floricolor as my book publisher. They are an incredible printer out of Italy that does some amazing photography books that are perfect for boudoir or wedding photography. As well as special events and even commercial real-estate. And I partnered with Drone Deploy, an industry leader in 3D drone mapping and data analysis from any altitude.

I officially launched McCarroll Media in summer of 2021. It has been an amazing time. I have worked with some fantastic clients all over the Greater Phoenix area. I love just existing in the world with my camera. More than that, I have had such a wonderful time, and busy schedule, expanding the scope of my business to include aerial photography and 3D mapping for both interior and exterior settings. I have taken on some amazing projects that I never though possible just a few years earlier. The last few years have kept me incredibly busy. From researching companies and equipment to educating myself on new techniques and procedures and structuring new business practices. Everyday is a challenge in the very best way. Every day I learn something new. Everyday I make a new friend. Everyday I grow as a small business owner and as an artist. As I look forward it only seems to get brighter.

As I move forward, McCarroll Media is on the brink of expansion. I have plans to open a studio so I can have a space to do more portraits in a controlled space. I want to create a soundstage to do more film projects. I am exploring the possibility of getting into motion capture market. Something very near to my heart is I want to create a space for kids to come and learn photography and film making. As McCarroll Media expands into the motion picture market I have a couple of great scripts that I would like to turn into feature films. I even have a documentary project in the works with an amazing castle in Scotland. I am going to increase my fleet of drones and hire pilots to do more 3D mapping. I would like to work with law enforcement and first responders. There is so much we can do there with providing potential lifesaving information in times of need.

My passion and first love will always be photography. While the business may grow and branch out to other areas you will always find a camera in my hand. From boudoir photography to live events and real-estate, and even classic cars. If you need something photographed I am your shutterbug. I recently photographed a softball game. A Hollywood actor saw the shots and he said they were ESPN/Magazine quality. Talent, passion and creativity play into every visual image I produce. Let me visualize your story.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My two absolute favorite spots are Rúla Búla, located in the historic Andre Building in downtown Tempe and MacAlpine’s Diner & Soda Fountain on 7th. Sadly neither of these places are around any longer though there is hope for MacAlpine’s return.

I have a rule of no national chains but I have a lot of East Coast friends who have never had In and Out or White Castle so we will definitely stop by.

Some of my favorite food/drink spots around the Greater Phoenix area are :

*Seamus McCaffrey’s Irish Pub down on Monroe and Valley Bar across the street
*Big Earls Greasy Eats in Cave Creek
*Olive Mill in Queen Creek
*The Vig Fillmore on 4th Ave
*A different Pointe of View at Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort
*The Henry on Camelback
*and in the big city of Tortilla Flat who can pass up the Superstition Saloon.

As for other things to see and do:
*Starfighters Arcade, all the fun and adventure of 80’s gaming in Mesa
*The giant outdoor trainset at the Lost Dutchman Museum and Goldfield Mine and Ghost town
*CAF Museum in Mesa
*Taliesin West in Scottsdale
*Of course we would have to explore Sedona, Prescott, and Flagstaff.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First, I have to start with my mom, Rebecca. When I was a kid she introduced me to the arts. She made sure I was surrounded with all sorts of books. She really introduced me to music in both her collection and with live concerts. She took me to plays and introduced me to the theater. She made sure I spent time at museums and learned all the great classic painters and sculptors. She made sure that art and history and literature were very much a part of my everyday life. She encouraged me to be my own person, even when it meant doing incredibly and increasingly dangerous stunts on my skateboard or my bike. She took the time to nurture my new found passion of the arts.

There are so many amazing people that I have crossed paths with in my life. I could sit here and recall stories all day. To everyone who supported me, gave encouragement, took the time to teach a lesson, and to those that let me work with them and photograph the moments they treasure, thank you.

Website: https://www.mccarrollmedia.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mccarrollmedia/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrismccarroll

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mccarrollmedia

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McCarrollMedia

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mccarroll-media-mesa

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4yo84STR8_U9Q0M9uovRuQ/featured