We’re looking forward to introducing you to Chris Scordas. Check out our conversation below.
Chris , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity is the most important of the three. Intelligence can be grown and cultivated, Energy comes and goes in waves. Integrity is the only thing of the three that we either have or do not.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I go by the Pen Name Codenamecoyote. I am a Photographer, Cinematographer, and founder of Alpha Studios. Alpha studios is a creative studio doing work for both private clients and small businesses. We build social media content strategies, and create visual marketing for Businesses. Additionally we do a plethora of photo and video services for our clients. I focus a good amount of my personal work in the Automotive spectrum photographing shows, shooting motorsports events, and car culture. I love telling stories of people, places and times to be remembered. I live in Chicago, IL a city that feels somewhat forgotten at times in the grand scheme of motorsports/Car culture living in the shadows of places like California, Texas, Tennessee, and Florida. I love living here the city is so rich with culture, vibrancy, and amazing people from all walks of life. Being from Chicago raised by my Immigrant family (Greece) living amongst others from various backgrounds and ethnicity’s my upbringing molded and shaped me for the better in so many ways. That experience shapes how I look at the world and how I create my art in a major way. I spend my time growing my business, shooting passion projects or spending time with my kids. I have even had the pleasure to be able to share my passions with my kids. My oldest and I are both avid photographers shes even preparing to go to college for Acting/Film studies next fall., Currently I am developing my plans for the ’26 season, a good plan goes a long way. I have a plan to shoot certain cars throughout the season in preparation for an art exhibition I am planning for next fall.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
I have three people to thank for my work ethic first my grandfather (Papou- Eftyhios), my uncle Efthymios (Tim) and finally my mom. My grandfather was blinded as a young child in Greece but that didn’t stop him from moving to the US finding a job, finding love and raising multiple kids. It is his sacrifice and strong will that motivates me to not let anything stand in my way, no excuse matters only results. My uncle and my mom faced major adversity growing up in a rough area facing unimaginable things since a young age and yet they managed to follow in my grandfathers path. They worked multiple jobs and still made time to take me to see things, spend time with me or even drop me off places to go skateboarding. Their presence was always felt even if they weren’t physically at home. I used their example later in life as I navigated working full-time, going to school full-time and raising 3 kids. In some ways Skateboarding also taught me about hard work. Skateboarding taught me never to give up no matter how many times you fall down eventually you’ll land that trick.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I grew up without a father and that haunted me most of my childhood and well into my teens. My mom did her best to raise me to feel like a man and to have positive male influence in my life. Growing up I vowed to never leave or abandon my kids when I have them. I had a consistent crisis of identity and at times with that piece of me missing I felt lost or abandoned. Looking back I had so many positive male influence in my life from my Grandfather, my uncle Tim, both my Uncle Chris’ and more. They all taught me so much in so many ways and healed some of those missing pieces. I am forever thankful for their guidance, wisdom and love. The most impactful thing that ever happened to me was becoming a father myself that’s when my pain became my superpower. There is truly something special to be said about caring for another human in such a profound way. To be able to create, teach, and mold another person and watch their development through multiple stages of life is nothing less than magical. I am motivated everyday to do better for them.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Being Greek one thing that is a deep cultural value for me is something called Philoxenia which literally means “Friend to a stranger”. If you have ever visited Greece you would understand this or see it first hand. We believe in hospitality and sharing with others. In a lot of ways Chicago feels this way. I hold this to a personal standard as well. If you were to ask anyone of my friends, anyone I’ve worked with or anyone I’ve met I always try to be a steward of this belief. I want to share a meal with you, I want to learn about you, I want EVERYONE to always feel welcome and comfortable. I value how we treat others in a major way.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
There are two things that bring me absolute peace. The first is creating a memory with my kids whether its on a vacation to Disney or just playing a board game at home, Seeing their smiles quiets all storms in my mind and reassures me that everything is going as planned. The other is being behind my camera capturing art my way shooting something I am passionate about getting that special shot knowing I nailed it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.codenamecoyote.com
- Instagram: @codenamecoyote
- Facebook: chris chris
- Youtube: codenamecoyote
- Other: TIKTOK: @codenamecoyote
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
