Five questions for creatives

Sian Deciantis

Sian Deciantis currently trains and assesses digital marketing and creative media apprentices, freelances in photography and video work, as well as running her own style blog. Sian likes to keep herself busy and as a creative has a lot of different outlets. Sian have been a creative teacher for almost eight years and is currently spending a lot of time at Channel 4 with her nine apprentices. Not only does she get to teach them but they regularly introduce her to new techniques, software and processes.

Sian’s photography and videography skill set is something that has grown since being at college. She has always loved photographing people and three years ago was asked to take photographs at a friends wedding. The hobby turned into a paid activity which she has never had the confidence to offer before. Freelancing in photography and video is an area she wants to grow in and her kit and skills continuously grow especially with some of the amazing opportunities that have come her way. This has also been linked to her fashion blog, which has been featured on Company Magazines and F and F websites and led her to collaborate with Queensgate shopping centre on their blog.

How did you get into the creative industry, and was there a defining point in your career that led you on that path?

I studied media at school in sixth form and fell in love. Decided I didn’t just want to do media as a subject along with others all I wanted to do was media. Left sixth form and took up a full time course in media moving image as to start with film was my main interest. I then went onto university and completed a BA Hons in TV and Film which led me to my first creative job. I was a videographer for a company that organised commonwealth events. I got to travel and produce more corporate based edits but the pay was not great and I was restricted with creativity. I accidentally fell into teaching while I was working for this company. It started out as helping out one afternoon a week and within a year I was teaching full time media qualifications at a college 5 days a week. I loved it I got to talk about what I loved all day and help my learners grow as film makers. I am now moved into apprenticeship teaching with digital marketing, photography and video elements to it. In my free time I also dabble in photography and video work as well as running my blog as this is my creative outlet. My defining moment that led me on my career path was a lesson on semiotics (actually one of my first media lessons), it completely changed the way I looked at everything around me and sent my creative juices flowing of how the use of signs can suggest something to someone. It is still to this day something I love introducing to learners because you can see them read images in a whole new way.

Is there anything you would change in your current career and if so why?

Yes, I feel the older I am becoming the more confident I am in my work. I wish I could give a younger version of me the confidence I have now to have put myself and my work out there more. I feel I would be more established in a freelance capacity if I had. Something I am still working on as the urge to fully work for myself and step away from teaching grows everyday.

Where do you see yourself, and your career in five years time?

Ideally working as a freelance photography and videography with some personal film projects on the go.

Are there any rules or habits that help you do your job more efficiently?

A basic one but treat others the way you wished to be treated. I am all about helping others grow and doing favours as long as it is a two way thing. I don’t believe in just taking.

What tips would you give to anybody who is looking to get started in the creative industry?

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out, especially with the benefits of social media these days. You can grow a following and expose yourself so effectively as long as you are not concentrating on what others think.