Today we’d like to introduce you to Chase Diffey
Hi Chase, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hello my name is Chase, I’m a native San Diegan and third generation visual creative. My father and his father before him were automotive pin stripers and graphics professionals. Deviating from that path, my story really began in 2016 at the age of 26, entering the cannabis industry as a macro and product photographer! I’ve hung on through all the gyrations of prop 215’s transition into prop 64 (i.e. recreational cannabis) as a creative.
I’ve been in San Diego for a majority of my career, and while I’ve been able to do a lot of networking thanks to the internet, the cannabis industry is very stifled here. I’m currently focusing on a move to LA, but all my family and friends are here so I’ll of course visit often! I think in light of the new federal re-scheduling (or hopefully, de-scheduling!) of cannabis I will be able to breathe and truly function as a professional. I am excited for the consumption lounge opening in National City and the future of cannabis here!
I’d love to share some stories of family and fun times here in San Diego, but unfortunately as a millennial who’s chosen the craft I have, in the place I live, I have had next to zero funds for anything recreational for the better part of a decade. I have tried so hard to make it work here, with no luck. My social life is barely existent due to having to work nonstop, and even still I’m typing this from a rented room in Lakeside with 4 roommates. My car has a leaky tire I can’t even remotely afford to fix, let alone clean or maintenance regularly. This is directly symptomatic of San Diego’s attitude towards cannabis cultivation, events and regulatory freedoms in general. I will be the fifth cannabis creative I know that will be moving out of the city, likely permanently.
I wish I had more to offer this article than a sad and brief story of struggle but that’s unfortunately the most of it. I am sincerely hoping for change towards the end of this year and I can evaluate things like a family before I’m in my 40s!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a macro specialist and product photographer. I employ methods like stacked photography and complex studio lighting and have actively studied general lighting techniques and photography workflows for the better part of 10 years.
In the cannabis industry I am considered one of the best concentrate photographers worldwide. Unfortunately due to regulatory constraints, the California industry just can’t pay for photography. Compliments at events do not pay the rent unfortunately, so while I love my craft I’m switching gears to more video focused, front of camera endeavors as an educational presenter.
My educational work will be featured in the Budist mobile app, and on YouTube on the Budist channel and my own YouTube channel @watchterpy.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I see the industry aligning itself with other artisanal consumable goods like wine and tobacco, hopefully enjoying similar legislative freedoms. I hope that there is room for smaller, quality focused producers to exist alongside corporate entities, and that the stigma of “dope” associated with cannabis becomes hastily antiquated. Another wish is for companies that exist for the wrong reasons make a quick exit.. toxic, profit-centered entrepreneurship has eaten the cannabis industry alive for too long.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.watchterpy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terpychase
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watchterpy
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/watchterpy
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@watchterpy
- Other: https://www.budist.com
