Meet Stealth Star

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stealth Star. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stealth below.

Hi Stealth, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from both personal experiences and the support of my family. Growing up without having much but at the same time, my mom made sure she could give us what she could. Times were so different back then in general. Even though we didn’t have much, it just seemed so much more appreciated for the things that were given. I remember me and my neighbor used to knock on each other’s door for small things just in case we were out of it. Like, eggs, butter, etcetera.

I was in 14-F (us being a black family) and she was in 14-D (white family). We used to have sleepovers all the time. Rosemary (mom) would let her two daughter’s sleep over our home with me and my brother. It was so PURE! Just having fun all night. Sadly, Rosemary was killed in the World Trade situation. I miss her a lot. She was like a second mom.

Going through these types of up and down situations taught me to embrace life for what it is because it is temporary, and you must keep moving and adjusting to new obstacles until your last breath. Even though times get rough, I still maintain and move with a positive realm.

I started StealthStarStudios (freelance videographer) back in 2019 after I resigned from a job I was working at. Previous to me going into full entrepreneur work, at most of my older jobs, some of my manager’s would let me do my video work on my break or free time. YUP! You heard right! I was at my job, working on my video craft. That’s because I used to work hard, and they didn’t mind me trying to build my future at that moment.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Let me introduce you to StealthStarStudios, my full-time freelance videography business that I started in 2019 after I decided to take a leap and leave my job. Based in the vibrant heart of New York City, my business is all about capturing life’s most exciting moments—whether that’s a music video, a wedding, a birthday party, a commercial, or anything in between. I’ve always been passionate about storytelling through video, and I put that love into every project I take on. Though I don’t have a physical studio, that’s never stopped me from creating something beautiful. In fact, I think it gives me the freedom to go wherever the story takes me.

Growing up in Coney Island, Brooklyn, gave me a unique perspective on life. It was a playground in the truest sense. I spent my childhood playing games like tag, manhunt in 14-floor buildings, and a local favorite, skully. For those who don’t know, skully was this awesome game where we’d put clay in bottle caps and flick them across the ground that had numbers drawn on it with chalk—the goal was to land on the highest number. Of course, when we weren’t doing that, basketball and baseball were our go-tos. And when all else failed, I was at the beach. It was just three blocks away, and honestly, I practically lived there. Being a “beach bum” was part of my identity. Those experiences shaped me and taught me how to find joy in the simple things, which I bring into my work every day.

Running StealthStarStudios is an adventure, and like any adventure, it has its ups and downs. There are moments when business is thriving, and everything feels perfect. I’m booked with incredible projects, the money is rolling in, and I’m on top of the world. Those are the times when I’m reminded of why I took this leap of faith. Every project feels like a new chapter, and I love getting to be a part of my clients’ stories, whether I’m capturing the emotional moments of a wedding, the excitement of a birthday, or the creative energy of a music video.

But of course, being a full-time freelancer isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There are tough times when the phone isn’t ringing, and I’m scrambling to find gigs. Those are the moments when I have to make tough decisions, sometimes accepting lower-paying jobs just to keep the business moving. It’s not easy, but it’s a reality of the freelance world. The unpredictability can be stressful, but it’s also what makes this path so rewarding. I’ve learned to hustle, adapt, and stay flexible—skills that have become second nature at this point.

Even during those rough patches, I stay optimistic. I remind myself that every gig, no matter how big or small, is a stepping stone. And let’s be real—there’s something special about getting to do what I love for a living. I’m fortunate enough to work on projects that fuel my creativity, meet new people, and be part of their stories. That’s what keeps me going. Plus, the slow times give me a chance to refocus and dream up new ideas for StealthStarStudios.

Another thing I love about this business is the variety. No two projects are the same, and that keeps things fresh and exciting. One day I could be shooting a commercial in Midtown Manhattan, and the next I’m at a destination wedding miles away from New York. While most of my work is based in the city, I’m always up for traveling if the opportunity presents itself. Being able to shoot in different locations and environments is part of what makes this journey so fulfilling.

What really drives StealthStarStudios is the connection I make with my clients. I want them to feel like they’re getting more than just a video—they’re getting a personalized experience and a story that they can hold onto for a lifetime. My goal is to bring a positive, creative energy to every project and to capture moments that will last forever. The best part? Seeing the smiles on my clients’ faces when they watch the final product.

So yeah, this journey has its challenges, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Running StealthStarStudios has given me the freedom to be creative, the opportunity to meet incredible people, and the chance to do what I love every single day. Whether you’re in New York or anywhere else, I’m ready to bring your story to life. Life may have its ups and downs, but with StealthStarStudios, I’m always moving forward, ready for the next great opportunity!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Freelancing comes with periods of inconsistency, where some weeks are full of work and others are sparse. I’ve had moments where the money was rolling in and times when I had to accept lower-paying gigs just to keep the business moving forward. Being resilient helped me push through the slower seasons and adapt to the uncertainties. My advice for those just starting is to embrace setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. Build mental toughness by remembering why you started in the first place and keep your eyes on the bigger picture, even when things get tough.

In videography, creativity is everything. Each project—whether it’s a music video, wedding, or commercial—requires a unique approach. My background growing up in Coney Island, Brooklyn, playing outdoor games and spending time at the beach, fueled my imaginative side. It taught me to find beauty in everyday moments, and I bring that creative energy to every project I work on. For those just starting, I’d recommend exploring different creative styles and experimenting. Don’t be afraid to take risks with your work and try something new. The more you stretch your creative muscles, the stronger they’ll get.

Maintaining strong relationships with clients has been essential in building my reputation and business. New York City is a competitive market, so making sure clients feel valued and satisfied with their final product has been key to securing repeat business and referrals. My advice for beginners is to focus not just on the technical aspects of videography but also on how you interact with clients. Be communicative, listen to their vision, and go the extra mile to deliver a product they’ll love. Building trust will be invaluable as you grow your freelance career.

Advice wise? Don’t let the word “NO” be an embarrassment for your goals. Meaning, don’t pre scare yourself for a question you want to ask people that can help you, but you don’t ask it because you are afraid to hear “NO”. This can stagnate you in life.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I am open to anything that are along the lines of advancement in life! People need people to move around. End of story. But I definitely want to work with famous film directors in the industry so they can show me the ropes in filming. So, Bold Journey, do your thing, let them know, Stealth Star of StealthStarStudios will be a janitor in the film studio just to earn ranking and I am not joking.

The goal is to live a comfortable life, bills paid off because I have been in the trenches for too long. Also, anyone has advice of information for me, please tell me. Good or bad. I need to know what the missing particle of life is.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

All Images By: Stealth Star or StealthStarStudios.

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