We recently had the chance to connect with Sean Dooley and have shared our conversation below.
Sean, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Are there ever normal days? But to answer the question in good faith, I’ve recently entered a time of extreme transition in my life, so I am in the middle of finding a routine. I know we all want to live the 2011 millennial manic pixie dream life, but most glory days pass as soon as they arrive. I’ve begun to dive head first into my youtube channel (SDP Studios), to avoid letting my creative muscles atrophy. On my channel I plan to do short documentary style videos and talk Oregon Ducks in between those docs. To achieve that, my day usually consists of sitting in front of the computer editing for endless hours, and breaking that up with working out at home. I don’t like public gyms. Lastly, in the same vein of every washed up musical act, I’m going back to my roots. Getting on a skateboard and on the basketball court again. I find movement helps my writing process. I’m trying to play as much as I work. It’s a delicate balance.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Sean as you can tell by the byline of my name. I am a photographer/videographer and owner/founder of SDP Studios. I work in partnership with Made U Look Media. MUL covers client acquisition, media management, and the PR side of things. I take my camera and point it at people.
I grew up in the mid-willamette valley above the golden state, on the mean streets of the pacific northwest. They actually can be quite mean. I was enamored by comedy movies and television shows, skateboarding, and sports and those became my escape. Two things happened in junior high school that was the catalyst to my arguably poor life decision. The first was I wasn’t going D-1 any time soon, so after time on and off from it, I hopped back on a skateboard to stay active and have fun. Two, I was getting much more into storytelling in both the art and medium of it, but I never thought I’d be able to pursue it coming from a working to middle class upbringing in Eugene/Corvallis, Oregon. My mind changed when a new kid at school from LA showed up, and he too wanted to become a filmmaker. His LA home was actually the house in Step Brothers. He was making stuff all the time, and I thought “Wow I didn’t know that’s actually possible. Maybe it can be done”. He’s ended up becoming more of a filmmaker than I ever have, but that’s neither here nor there.
To pay the bills I got a job at KUSI after a season shooting the Prep Pigskin Report, then left to ABC10 for a year and was offered a permanent vacation with severance from there. I never imagined being in the news business when I was younger. It’s like the mafia. Oftentimes it finds you and it’s hard to leave when you’re a made man. I’m glad for my time there, however I think I’m okay with it being in the rearview mirror. What it did for me though, was remind me of my roots and the DIY, “make more with less” mentality I have with my productions. I want to tell compelling stories, and most of all relatable stories. Good stories. A lot of people’s stories don’t get told that deserve to have them told. I want to find those stories whether on the street or in my head. Now, my future projects will have that in mind and instead of turning a story around in an hour for the 4 o’clock news, I ask myself, “what if I spend more time on it and go narrative?”; finally pursuing what 16 year old me wanted to pursue.
I’ve had some short films go to festivals, and since have taken a hiatus from writing, but outside of my docs, I’m going back to the writer’s room to hopefully get a tv show about skateboarding and me and my friend’s upbringing off the ground.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My ex.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Prepare.
Preparation in pursuit of your success, but definitely prepare to deal with life in no way turning out how you imagined the future. Physical preparation can only work in tandem with mental preparation.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Thinking they’re smart.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I was just joking.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.seandphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sdp_studios/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-dooley-49ba65183/
- Twitter: https://x.com/StudiosSdp
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SDPstudios
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SDP619
Image Credits
The photos are mine. I get the credit
