Chris LeCrone's Elevated Perspective

This week was one of those nonstop weeks where everything just piles on... But honestly, it felt good to be busy. Between wrapping up the final assignments and projects for my senior year and managing a crazy flow of inbound client messages and leads, there wasn’t a lot of downtime. Somehow, though, the energy stayed high. I wrapped up a few school projects early in the week and then shifted into filming mode. Thursday night and Friday night were spent on the road, working in Pontiac and Decatur. Both nights had me behind the drone and the camera, shooting for a roofing company and an event with a few of my contractors, co-workers, and peers. Thursday's shoot was a cool creative challenge... Everything was drone footage, but the goal was to make it feel like the viewer was right up there on the roof with the workers. It’s tricky because drones naturally pull you into those wide, sweeping shots, but here we had to get close, really capture the grit and movement, and make the audie...

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how engagement actually works on social media. It’s not really about having the best camera or even the flashiest edit...Though that stuff helps. It’s about connection. You have to build an audience around something real. Something you actually care about, and something you know. For me, that’s Peoria and drone video. I’ve been posting videos of my city multiple times a week for the past year(ish), and I do it because I genuinely love it. But once you have that core, that truth people can feel...The next part is figuring out how to get people to actually interact. That’s where it gets fun. The trick is knowing how to stir the pot just enough. I’m not talking about fake drama or making people mad for no reason. I’m talking about using a little sarcasm, a little humor, and a bold caption to catch attention. My go-to move? Say something outrageous in the hook "The most hated city in the country,” “A place with nothing to see,” or even “The most ...

It’s wild how quickly things can change. Just last week, I was riding momentum with a few really promising leads and then seemingly overnight, everything went quiet. With the new tariffs and market swings recently occouring, a lot of prospective clients are suddenly pausing, reevaluating, or just ghosting entirely. There’s a lot of uncertainty in the air, and you can feel it in how people are spending. Even I’m feeling it in unexpected ways. I’ve been keeping an eye on a new drone release...something that could really level up my aerial capabilities and a drone I will be buying when it is released... But it’s now been delayed again. It was originally supposed to drop April 24th, but with DJI being a Chinese company, these new tariffs have pushed the release back to May 13th (if we’re lucky). It’s frustrating, but also just a sign of the times. That said, I’m really grateful to still be working closely with my retainer clients... Those relationships have been key in maintaining cons...

It’s been a minute since I last posted on the blog, about a week off. As I continue my work, It’s always motivating to know that my creations resonate with others, especially when it’s among such talented people.  One of the biggest things on my plate right now is a project I’m incredibly excited about. I’ve been chosen to create an image that will be displayed in the newly renovated courthouse here in Peoria, Illinois. The project is particularly special because it’s going to be a huge, 19-foot wide by 8-foot tall wall piece. The image we think will work best at this point in time is a sunset shot of our city with the courthouse in the middle ground. This is more than just a photo as it’s going to become a part of Peoria’s history. I’m pumped about being able to contribute to something so meaningful, and it’s truly an honor to have my work showcased in such a prominent public space. Courthouse Image   In addition to that, I’ve been busy creating some call to action ads for a...

Spring break was anything but a break for me. Instead of relaxing, I was busy laying the groundwork for what’s shaping up to be an incredibly packed summer. As I roll into my last two months of classes, I’m also ramping up my business, making sure everything is in place for my full client schedule when graduation hits. My monthly workflow is taking shape with a solid structure... Each of my retainer clients will have one strategy and analytics session per month, two shoot days, and receive deliverables of curated social media reels. Right now, I have four retainer clients locked in, and I’m already booking a variety of events that will carry me above full time work. It’s an exciting time, and I’m happy to see how much I have grown my business in the last year. On top of that, I received an exciting opportunity from Big Picture Peoria. They asked me to submit six photos for a chance to have my work displayed on a building on Washington Street that currently hold a couple of murals. They...

As promised a few weeks ago, I’m excited to share that I’ve finished my video show reel. It’s a collection of everything I’ve created, a visual summary of the projects that I have put my time, creativity, and energy into. For months now, I’ve been wanting to put together a reel that truly represents my work, but I kept pushing it off, always chasing the next project. But I finally made it happen. This show reel isn’t just a highlight reel...it’s a reflection of the journey I’ve been on, the skills I’ve developed, and the businesses I’ve helped along the way. The goal was simple... Create something dynamic, engaging, and authentic. I wanted it to not only showcase the work I’ve done but also tell a story... One that reflects my style, my approach, and the impact I aim to make with each project. From ad campaigns to drone projects, the reel pulls together some of my best visuals to show what I can do for businesses looking to elevate their marketing. Through cinematic style and attent...

This week I’m excited to share a new project I’m working on that combines my passion for storytelling and visual media with a cause that truly matters within our community. We are helping the Peoria Fire Department recruit new firefighters, specifically within the African American community. The Peoria Fire Department was looking for a media agency that could build a powerful new recruitment campaign aimed at increasing diversity within its ranks. To make this campaign impactful, the department is producing a series of commercials and social media ads (Organic and Paid) that highlight the stories of African American firefighters already serving in Peoria. This campaign isn’t just about hiring, it’s about representation and visibility. By showcasing real experiences, the goal is to inspire individuals who may have never considered a career in firefighting. These stories will emphasize the dedication, teamwork, and community impact that come with the job, making it clear that the fire d...

Today I am going to tell my story on my progression through expressing my passion and building a social media and brand presence in Peoria Illinois...  Peoria is more than just where I live, it’s almost the foundation of my work and creativity. For 18 months, I’ve dedicated myself to capturing this city in a way that can shift perspectives, highlight beauty, and give people a reason to see it differently. From the downtown skyline at sunset to the quiet streets that tell stories of the past, Peoria is filled with character that often goes unnoticed. My goal has always been to bring those details to life through videography and photography, making those in Peoria feel like they fit in with the other big cities that you see all of the time. Beyond just filming, I’ve built a social media presence around Peoria that feeds directly into my business. By showcasing the city in a positive light, I’ve been able to connect with local businesses, event organizers, and brands looking to elevat...

This past week, my team and I wrapped up another project for Ardor Breads & Provisions and Revel & Maker Bar in Peoria. As part of our ongoing retainer with them, we captured high-end photography and cinematic video of their latest event, focusing on the craft behind their food, drinks, and atmosphere. We took a mix of handheld and gimbal shots to highlight the details...bakers kneading dough, bartenders crafting cocktails, and guests enjoying the experience. The wood-fired pizza was our focus for this week. Our feel to go for were the flames both in the oven and on the grill. Speaking of that - The open-flame grill added more drama, casting a warm glow over the kitchen as chefs worked. This paired with Revel’s dark, romantic atmosphere that is filled with moody lighting. The entire space has an intimate, inviting feel that we wanted to capture authentically. In post-production, we focused on enhancing the deep, warm tones of the restaurant, adding subtle motion to give the f...

  Over the last 14 months since I started my company, I’ve worked on some incredible projects, from high energy event videos to cinematic aerial shots of Peoria. But I haven’t had a single place that truly showcases my best work in a way that immediately grabs attention. Over the next few weeks, I’m revamping my website to make it a more powerful tool for attracting clients and showing what I do best. This just means that I am creating a high impact show reel that plays the moment someone lands on my site. A well-edited show reel isn’t just a collection of clips. I believe that it’s a statement. It’s a chance to instantly communicate the quality, energy, and storytelling I bring to every project. I'm thinking 30-45 seconds of dynamic footage, I want potential clients to feel the level of production they can expect when they work with me. PROCESS I’m going through every past project, pulling out the best moments that capture my range - drone cinematography, corporate storytelling, m...

This weekend, (Capital Painting Inc) wanted to showcase their expertise with a set of high-energy social media ads for a new construction hospital project in Darlington, Wisconsin that they have been working on for a few months. To bring their vision to life, I traveled three hours north, equipped with my drone, camera, and extra necessary gear, ready to capture both the interior and exterior of their finished work. The goal was to produce three distinct videos... One focusing on the interior, another on the exterior, and a third that blended both elements. Since they wanted a trendy, fast-paced style, I used a mix of smooth gimbal shots, aerial drone footage, and high-energy transitions to emphasize the precision and professionalism of their work. The interior shots highlighted the clean lines, vibrant finishes, and attention to detail showcasing not only their paint work but the setting of the hospital itself. The exterior footage showcased the scale and quality of their commercial p...

  (Warning, this may be boring.)  This past week, I wrapped up another commercial project. The project was a 15 and 30 second TV commercial for Strong Law Office that aired during the Grammys on CBS and will also play locally during the Super Bowl locally on channels and streaming services. Seeing something I created on television is super cool, but getting there took a ton of planning, execution, and attention to detail. It all started with a phone call from Todd's secretary, as they really liked my style when searching for a video production company. Todd and Becky his secretary were a pleasure to work with, giving me ideas but ultimately giving me full reign over my creative abilities.  Story boarding and scripting took the most time for this project, making sure we captured Todd's presence as a "superhero" attorney. I brought in one of my contractors for lighting and a second hand for filming... From there, we planned a mix of handheld shots for a cinematic, perso...

Welcome to my blog! For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Chris LeCrone. I’m a marketing student at Bradley University, and this blog is the result of a little nudge (okay, requirement ) from my Social Media Marketing class.  At first, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this assignment, but as I’ve thought about it more, the idea of sharing my thoughts and experiences as a creative has grown on me. Let’s face it - sometimes journaling can be therapeutic, and putting my process into words might even help me grow... Before we dive in, let me give you a quick intro to who I am. Just kidding... This blog isn’t about my life story... It’s about my journey as a photographer and videographer within my business, exploring the messy, unpredictable, and exciting process of creating something "meaningful". If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my career so far, it’s this: there’s no single "right" way to do creative work. Whether you're behind the camera, working in...