Today we’d like to introduce you to Chauncey Scott.
Hi Chauncey, 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?
My story?
Roots.
I was born in Portland, Oregon, into a family deeply rooted in the arts, fashion, music, and sports. My mother was a professional model, editor, and artist, while my father was a professional film photographer, known for his editorial and fashion work with world-renowned models and brands. My brother and I modeled alongside our mother from an early age. Between our agency and my father’s work, we were constantly moving—Portland, New York, Miami, Los Angeles—traveling cross-country in a ‘99 black Volkswagen Beetle with a trunk full of cassette tapes, absorbing the people and culture of each city along the way.
I grew up in darkrooms and on sets, surrounded by cameras, but I never wanted to be in front of them. I wanted to know what they saw. I wanted to know how moments were held still.
My mother’s influence of fashion, art, and music came naturally to me. She is a masterpiece. No matter the occasion, whether at a party, the grocery store, strutting around the house, playing piano, or painting on canvas—she is always dressed elegantly.
Growth.
From a young age, I felt a natural connection to seeing subjects deeply and from a unique perspective. I fell in love with photography early on, though I didn’t realize it was what I wanted to do professionally until after college.
In middle school, our family moved to a small country town in Eastern Oregon called Enterprise. It was vastly different from the cities I grew up in, but it became a dream I didn’t know I needed. I fell in love with my new home. My stepfather, also an artist, focused his craft on wood carvings, large eraser-drawn paintings, and surreal 3D contemporary pieces. He showed me an entirely new way of life in our new home.
Even though I was still surrounded by creativity, I shied away from the arts and focused on sports instead. I felt my background was abnormal and wouldn’t resonate with the community, so at the time, I thought it was best to let that part of me go.
Time passed, and my past began to fade. My interests through high school revolved around academics, sports, music, and the outdoors. Still, there were small glimpses that kept my love for photography alive without me even realizing it.
I had a tight group of friends in Enterprise, and for fun we’d take cool photos out on the property and make videos of us tubing on the lake, snowboarding, or just shooting home movies. It was bliss. Then, during my senior year, something shifted. I walked into my teacher’s classroom and saw a film camera sitting on his desk. I couldn’t stop staring at it. He offered it to me, and the moment I held it, everything came rushing back. I knew that camera instantaneously. It felt right in my hands. It took me back to a part of myself I deeply missed.
Explore.
After that, I spent countless nights lying awake, trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. All I knew was what I loved: photography, art, fashion, music, sports, travel, and people. I wanted a life built around those subjects, but I didn’t know how. So, I chose security. Or at least, what I thought was security.
I moved back to Portland and pursued a degree in nursing while working as a wildland firefighter during the summers. I loved it, truly. A responsible life. Though, it wasn’t honest. I had chosen a path driven by safety rather than passion and called it security. It took time to understand that real security isn’t found in routine or titles. My soul was missing, and it needed to be found.
During college, I photographed whenever I could—while traveling, walking city streets, firefighting, and during any free moment outside of class. From time to time, I landed credible shoots. I was growing.
I was also lucky to be surrounded by friends who were filmmakers, photographers, and models. Their energy fueled me. It pushed me to keep going, to keep telling stories through the people and experiences I was drawn to—capturing detail and creating a perspective through my lens and background.
Eventually, my path led me to a dear friend and mentor. He brought me on shoots, helped expand my portfolio, and fine-tuned my craft, workflow, and professional expectations. More than anything, he reminded me who I am, where I come from, what I have done, and what I’m capable of. Most importantly, that I needed to create my own path.
Control.
While the pandemic was difficult for most, for me it became a time of reflection. Letting go, being honest, and living with intention. Photography was my drug, and I let it drive me deeper into my craft. I shot constantly, poured into my personal work, and continued to sharpen my vision—building a portfolio and style that finally felt true to who I am. I pushed myself to figure out where I wanted to go, what I wanted to become, and who I truly was.
By then, I had moved from nursing and firefighting into sales, still doing photography as much as I could. On paper, life looked good. A great home, a beautiful neighborhood, and good money. But I wasn’t really living. I was stuck. I had chosen security, once again. A job meant to be a backup plan, and it limited my thinking, my confidence, and my drive. It pulled time away from building something of my own. Every day, I dreamt about going all-in. I was tired of waiting.
So, I flipped the script.
I broke my lease, gave up what I had built, and moved to Austin, Texas. I committed to being a full-time photographer and returning to my roots. I immersed myself in the city, shooting personal work, working with models and brands, and living in Austin’s music scene. That’s what led me to meet THEBROSFRESH. Twin musicians with a rock and R&B sound rooted from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Perseverance.
I’ve worked on major projects across the U.S. and in Austin, including with SXSW, ACL, Rivian, and Preacher. THEBROSFRESH, Preacher, and I collaborated on their debut album, Same Leather. I photographed and edited the imagery while Preacher designed the typography, layout, and border. We premiered the album in partnership with Rivian and Dolby Atmos at the Rivian Flagship in Austin, creating an immersive experience that brought sound, music, and image together. From there, we took it on tour, opening for Flatland Cavalry.
Today, I am a photographer for THEBROSFRESH. I’ve built a strong friendship with them and the entire TBF team, and I’m deeply grateful for each of them.
They are intentional, collaborative, supportive, hardworking, genuine, and amazing artists. My kind of people.
To THEBROSFRESH, Joe Butler, Julian Munoz, Tony Ramos, Milo Ortiz, and BJ Frogozo—thank you. And to Almost Heaven, Dallas Cawley, Shvkiel, SHXWNFRESH, and the Preacher family—thank you as well. I appreciate every one of you.
I also work as a freelance photographer, videographer, and editor based in Austin, Texas, traveling both domestically and internationally. I collaborate with artists, models, athletes, agencies, and brands across a wide range of subjects, while continuing to build the body of work that’s most personal to me and explore new creative directions.
Belief
I’ve always believed things unfold the way they’re meant to. Even though my path here was anything but linear, I wouldn’t change a single step. Every chapter taught me to see more clearly. With people, culture, experiences, and myself.
My story?
It’s still being written.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My road has been anything but smooth, but that is what makes the journey that much more meaningful. Bumps are lessons. Setbacks are growth.
Early on, I often compared myself to other photographers, their work, and their success. That is one of the hardest difficulties to move past. The pressure is real, especially when you’re starting out as a creative. The biggest lesson I can share is this: explore your roots, be proud of what you connect with, and know who you are. Own it.
Working with clients can also be intimidating at first—learning how to quote, license, set up agreements, navigate deliverables, and meet expectations. You will mess up. You’ll overquote, lose a bid, undersell yourself, or give too much away. That’s part of it. Let your mistakes teach you and be excited to do things you haven’t done before. These are growing pains that build confidence and show you your worth. And most importantly, never send RAW’s, unless you’re compensated appropriately (IFYKYK).
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a photographer, videographer, and editor with over a decade of professional experience. I believe in diversity as both a value and a practice, and my work reflects my background and creative range. I specialize in fine art, editorial, fashion, street, sports, brand storytelling, and music photography, including song and album artwork.
I’m proud of many pieces that represent me as an artist, but I’m most deeply connected to the stories and experiences I share with people or a subject I photograph. My strongest work often comes from personal projects. Whether I am alone creating an idea, traveling and wandering the streets with music in my ears and a camera in hand, trusting the instinct that pulls me toward an image, or connecting with a subject through conversation and letting the photograph grow from that moment.
I aim to inspire others and believe in collaboration, support, connection, and growing together. What sets me apart is simple. I am Chauncey Scott. I remind myself of that every day. I know who I am, where I am going, and what I am working toward. I trust my eye, follow my passion, and stay open to learning. There is only one of me, just as there is only one of you. Authenticity, your own style, and the story only you can tell is what will truly set anyone apart. I encourage you to do the same.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If you see me wandering the streets or shooting at a venue, please come say hello. I’d love to meet you.
To my family, friends, artists, mentors, and everyone who’s supported me. I wouldn’t be here without you. I am endlessly grateful.
Thank you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chaunceyscott.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chauncey.scott/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chauncey.photo/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chauncey-scott-/
- Twitter: https://x.com/chauncey_scott_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Chaunceyscott
Image Credits
Chauncey Scott Shaun Mendiola (personal photo only)
