Today we’d like to introduce you to Chip Ashby.
Hi Chip, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
With modern technology, I love the ability to share the story of the past with a greater audience. I remember holding a camera first at a car show during the mid-1990s. My dad showed me how to swap lenses, and I was off to the races. I started filming and photographing almost every car show, concert, athletic event, or museum I was allowed. And many that I wasn’t. After high school, I bounced around Kansas City, doing what I could to pay the bills. Whether promoting shows, helping direct music videos, spinning wrenches, swinging a hammer, or pouring drinks, I worked just about every job under the sun. Eventually, I decided to make a career out of my passions, and going back to school was the journey’s first step. After earning an Associate’s degree at JCCC, I transferred and graduated with honors in Medieval History and Film Production from UMKC. I then studied Public History in grad school at my alma mater. Most recently, I was in the museum industry until going out on my own and founding CTH Productions.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Going to university in my thirties was an interesting experience. As a non-traditional student, I was determined to do it right this time. Both a blessing and a curse, learning to manage my ADHD healthily as an adult allowed me to succeed in ways I never dreamed possible during my academic career. I was not a good student in my youth but following my passions at a university level granted me the ability to prosper. Finding a way to combine my love of history and film was the easy part.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
CTH Productions offers several video and photography services. From consulting and pre-production to filming and editing, we do everything in-house from start to finish. I’ve worked with YouTubers with millions of followers, network tv shows, and major label recording artists. Currently, I am working with Voler: Thieves of Flight for their 2022/23 Fringe Festival performance(s). Just because my background is with cars/motorcycles and the ancient world doesn’t mean we can’t work together. If there is a story to tell, an adventure to share, or a moment worth capturing, CTH Productions delivers a timeless product.
Who else deserves credit for your story?
I wouldn’t be here without the love and support of my partner, friends, family, and mentors. From professors to chefs, senior VPs and C-suite level executives, to super scary-looking dudes with the biggest hearts, all have left an impression on my life. Special shout-out to the west bottoms motorcycle community. They inspired a lot of the confidence I discovered in myself.
Pricing:
- Portraits start at $200
- Event photography starts at $400
- Video production starts at $500
- Consulting (production or historical) $50/hr
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chipthehistorian.myportfolio.com/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeVro3II7WGYaxRdRns-S6A
Image Credits
All images photographed and edited by Chip Ashby dba CTH Productions.
