Digital Creator Tim Schrijnemakers: “it’s striking how Chase added value to my career”
Photographer Tim Schrijnemakers has been part of the Chase team since 2016. As a 23-year-old photographer, he's in the process of finishing his degree in music management. With an eye for good images and fluent writing skills, he is looking to become a professional in a communication agency in 2019.
Interview by Joke D'Hooghe
The Chase Digital Creators make videos, photos, articles and social stories about topics such as music, lifestyle, creatives and society. It is a diverse group of young people looking for a platform for their passions and expanding their skills.
HI TIM SCHRIJNEMAKERS, HOW DID YOU END UP WITH CHASE'S TEAM OF DIGITAL CREATORS?
Tim Schrijnemakers: "I met Sacha Claes, the Chase talent coach, in 2016 when we worked at the same event in Diepenbeek. We started talking and he noticed a potential in my photography skills. He explained briefly that he's always on the lookout for new photographers at Chase. He sent me to my first Chase assignment very quick. In the meantime, we are three years further on. I have been able to cover a lot of fun events for Chase: the KPM Cup, Genk On Stage, Woo Hah, 45Fest, Couleur Café, Film Fest Gent, ..."
WHAT ARE YOU UP TO THIS YEAR?
Tim Schrijnemakers: "Currently I am in my last year of a degree in music management. I would like to work more on my copywriting and designing skills in 2019. In addition, I am teaching myself analogue photography - or at least trying to. It would also be cool if I could do some more fashion shoots.
My plan this year is to graduate and look for a job that matches my interests. Already during my internship at Vooruit Gent, I was responsible for the communication concerning the music department. I would prefer to find a job where I can combine my writing and graphic skills, and end up somewhere in a communication team."
WHAT DID YOU LEARN DURING ALL YOUR ASSIGNMENTS FOR CHASE?
Tim Schrijnemakers: "The cool thing about collaborating with Chase is that as a young photographer or journalist you get lots of opportunities to further develop your own style and skills. First and foremost because you come into contact with a lot of creative minds that provide you with a lot of good feedback. But also, because you are sent out without a lot of fuss. Having experience is not immediately a must if you want to volunteer for Chase; enthusiasm and eagerness to learn are key though."
HOW DOES YOUR ACQUIRED KNOWLEDGE WITH CHASE FIT WITHIN YOUR MUSIC MANAGEMENT DEGREE?
Tim Schrijnemakers: "Soon I will graduate, and for that, I will have to work on a Bachelor's thesis. As a student music management, you get the choice: submit a thesis or set up a project. I chose the latter and I set up a digital platform on which I put young creative people in the spotlight. Going from musicians to goldsmiths and even architects. The project is called 'Word on The Street' and you can check it out here.
When I work on projects such as my Bachelor's thesis, it is striking how Chase can be a great added value in my career in many ways. Not only because of the many opportunities that are presented to you, but also because of the enormous network of creatives that you are automatically introduced to. For my project, I work together with Melissa Awouters, another Chase member from Limburg. She already has a lot of interviews on her list, including for Chase. In short, she is the ideal addition for my team."
SO CHASE'S DIGITAL CREATORS CAN ALSO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER?
Tim Schrijnemakers: "Melissa and I worked together on my Bachelor’s thesis project in no time and Chase played an active role in starting up the project by sharing our first video and writing an article about the project. In the past I already collaborated with Melissa for Chase: we made a fashion article together at Woo Hah and we did an interview with Blu Samu on Zwart Goud. I worked there as a photographer for the organisation and not for Chase, but Mel was working there for Chase and asked me if I did not want to take some pictures during their interview. It is always cool to be close to interesting artists."
DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR OTHER YOUNG CREATIVES?
Tim Schrijnemakers: "Firstly, pay attention with payments through the small fee arrangement for artists when you shoot events: this can be considered as "reporting" and not as something "artistic" and in principle you should not be paid via your artist card.
To promote yourself, I think it's a good idea to collect your best images on Instagram or Tumblr and to make Facebook a kind of central contacting point where people can easily find all your information. Make sure your Instagram feed is stuffed with professional photographers that you can get inspiration from, and get ideas that you can get started with. But above all, keep trying!"
Do you also want to become an digital creator at Chase? Learn more here!
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