Breaking the Code: How Calvin Shelwell Built a Life of Creativity

Calvin Shelwell didn’t start out behind the lens – his career began as a Senior Project Manager in the e-commerce space, spending his days immersed in code. He’s now built himself a creative life, creating photo and video campaigns for brands across fashion, beauty and lifestyle, from creative direction and styling to content production and brand partnership. For Calvin, work has become something entirely different – it doesn’t feel like work at all.

Explain your job as if you’re talking to a 10 year old.

I help brands tell their story through photos and videos, usually by showing how their clothes or products fit into real life. It looks fun (and it is), but there’s a lot more to it. You don’t just snap a picture and call it a day. There’s planning, shooting, editing, re-editing and then sending it off to the client (hoping they don’t ask for 50 changes).

What was your biggest failure/mistake you’ve ever made and how did you turn it into a positive?

Undervaluing myself as a creator. I think everyone in our industry goes through this – it often doesn’t feel like “work” in the traditional sense. Once I understood the time, effort and skill required, and how much brands would pay to replicate it without a creator, I began to value my work properly.

What’s your most unpopular opinion?

Social media is one of the most underestimated industries out there. People see the final post and not the hours of back-end work that go into it. Once you start doing this as a job, it becomes your whole life. You’re never really off the clock.

What has been your top career highlight?

The first time I got paid to travel overseas – hands down. I’ve always wanted a job that lets me see the world while being creative, so actually getting to do that – and calling it work – still blows my mind sometimes.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I’m a bit of a nerd at heart. I studied computer science and worked as a Senior Project Manager in the e-commerce space for seven years until going full-time content creator last year! I’ve spent way more time in front of a screen looking at code than I’ve spent making content.

Don’t miss out on Calvin’s upcoming work – follow him on his Instagram and TikTok.

Next week’s guest used to run so fast they won medals for Australia. Their career pivot? Let’s just say that’s a whole different story. See you next week.