
Timeline
About me
Director, Photographer, Content Creator
Education

Highland park high school
2012 - 2016High school
Columbia college chicago
2016 - 2020Bachelor’s degree cinema art and science
Experience

Drayter (band)
Sept 2009 - May 2017Founder and guitaristPerformed 250+ shows at large venues while performing in front of thousands of peopleInvolved with all aspects of the music business including: legal, accounting, PR, marketing, and touring logistics (as it related to my band)2014 - Recorded an EP that was nominated for"Best Rock Album" (IMEA Awards)2015 - Recorded a full-length album with a Grammy-winning producer that won “Best Pop Rock Album” (Akademia Awards)Extensive experience with PR (live and print)Sponsored by Ernie Ball Music Man, Ernie Ball, Fractal Audio, and 64 Ears Show less

Penne pomodoro
Jun 2012 - Jun 2016Host, floor managerManage floor and front of house responsibilities of popular restaurant throughout high schoolWorked a minimum of 20 hours per week

Cole schwartz media + film
Aug 2016 - nowDirector of photography, director, photographerDirector of Photography for music videos, commercials, and narrative filmOperation of industry standard motion picture camera equipment

Chi studios
May 2017 - Jul 2017Director of photography, photographer, gafferGaffer for various photoshootsBehind the scenes photography during photoshootsDirector of Photography and Colorist for promotional videos for the studio

Lucky 21
May 2017 - Jul 2017Production assistant / internProduction assistant on more than 10 commercial video shootsAssistant to production officeMaintained office housekeepingHard drive transferring, security, and maintenance

Lyrical lemonade
Oct 2017 - Dec 2018Director of photography, colorist & photographer- Director of photography & colorist for music videos, interviews, and recap videos- Responsible for producing music videos that have received over 1.3B views with platinum-selling artists such as Post Malone, Chance The Rapper, Mac Miller, Juice WRLD, and Wiz Khalifa- Press & media relations for The Summer Smash 2018 Festival, with over 10,000 attendees- Technical director & editor for in-house interviews of global hip-hop artists- Photographer for more than 30 live events, product shots, and behind the scenes Show less

The times
Feb 2021 - Jun 2023CreatorDirector of Photography / Director:- Led visual storytelling for commercial spots and music videos for clients such as White Claw, Bauer Hockey, Kraken Rum, Republic Tobacco, GoPuff, and Champs Sports.- Designed lighting setups, managed camera work, and oversaw on-set environments to create cinematic visuals aligned with brand messaging.- Ensured each project maintained a high production quality while resonating with target audiences.Creative Direction and Conceptual Support:- Collaborated with clients and internal teams during pre-production to brainstorm and develop cohesive concepts and visual styles.- Provided direction and support in refining ideas to align with the brand’s message and audience engagement goals.- Worked closely with other creatives to bring the project vision to life, from storyboard to final cut.Photography:- Captured high-quality images for commercial and social use, focusing on composition, lighting, and brand-specific style.Video Editing:- Edited video content, ensuring smooth narrative flow, cohesive style, and adherence to brand guidelines.- Used post-production techniques to enhance storytelling and deliver a polished final product.- Applied color grading to enhance footage, ensuring project consistency and visual appeal.Drone Pilot:- Captured dynamic aerial shots for commercials and music videos, adding a unique perspective to the visual narrative.- Operated drones safely and in compliance with legal regulations, ensuring smooth, high-quality aerial footage.Project Management:- Coordinated production schedules, managed equipment, and worked within project timelines and budgets to deliver results.- Oversaw crew and talent on set, ensuring smooth execution and adherence to the creative vision. Show less

Vokal
Jun 2023 - Aug 2024Director of contentAt Vokal, I was responsible for overseeing the development, production, and distribution of compelling content across all platforms. My primary goal was to ensure that our content aligned with the brand's vision and resonated with our target audience.Job Duties:- Developed and implemented a comprehensive content strategy aligned with the company's goals and objectives.- Conducted market research and audience analysis to identify content opportunities and trends.- Oversaw and created high-quality content, including articles, videos, podcasts, social media posts, and other digital media.- Collaborated with writers, producers, and creative teams to ensure content is engaging, informative, and on-brand.- Managed content projects from inception to completion, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to budget.- Coordinated with cross-functional teams, including marketing, design, and development, to streamline content production processes.- Established and maintained editorial standards, guidelines, and workflows.- Reviewed and edited content to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with brand voice and style.- Worked closely with senior leadership to align content initiatives with broader business strategies.- Stayed updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and content marketing and production best practices.- Experimented with new content formats and distribution channels to keep the brand ahead of the curve.Clients included Weber Grills, Dremel, American Medical Association, Red Bull, Wild Fork, and Berlin Packaging, amongst others Show less
Licenses & Certifications
- View certificate

Essential skills in adobe photoshop 2025
AdobeMar 2025 - View certificate

Social media marketing
HootsuiteMar 2025 - View certificate

Honored listee
Marquis who's whoOct 2024 - View certificate

Ai for organizational leaders by microsoft and linkedin
MicrosoftMar 2025
Honors & Awards
- Awarded to Cole SchwartzCarter Waghorne Scholarship Carter Waghorne Foundation May 2016
- Awarded to Cole SchwartzEngage Explore Scholarship Columbia College Chicago May 2016
- Awarded to Cole SchwartzFaculty Scholarship Columbia College Chicago May 2016
- Awarded to Cole SchwartzMasters of Film Award Highland Park High School May 2016
- Awarded to Cole SchwartzTexas Youth & Government State Finals Texas (Park Cities) YMCA Jan 2016
- Awarded to Cole SchwartzTexas Youth & Government State Finals Texas (Park Cities) YMCA Jan 2015
- Awarded to Cole SchwartzTexas Youth & Government State Finals Texas (Park Cities) YMCA Jan 2014
- Awarded to Cole SchwartzTexas Youth & Government State Finals Texas (Park Cities) YMCA Jan 2013
- Awarded to Cole SchwartzASCAP Membership - American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers ASCAP
- Awarded to Cole SchwartzDFW Professional Musicians Association and Union DFW Professional Musicians Association and Union
- Awarded to Cole SchwartzSponsored by 64 Audio 64 Audio
- Awarded to Cole SchwartzSponsored by Ernie Ball Music Man Guitars Ernie Ball Music Man
- Awarded to Cole SchwartzSponsored by Ernie Ball Strings Ernie Ball
- Awarded to Cole SchwartzSponsored by Fractal Audio Fractal Audio
Volunteer Experience
Teaching Assistant
Issued by Top Shelf Drum Lessons on May 2015
Associated with Cole Schwartz
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