The Excitement of Big Names: When Opportunity Meets Trust
One of the most exciting parts of my journey as a freelancer has been the unexpected opportunities to work on projects featuring celebrities and well-known names. For anyone in the creative industry, there’s a thrill when a recognisable face pops up in your inbox or on a piece of work you’ve been trusted to handle. But what’s even more rewarding is knowing exactly how these opportunities come about—and why they’re often far more down-to-earth than you’d imagine.
It Starts With Trust and Collaboration
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that opportunities to work on “bigger” projects don’t appear out of nowhere. They’re the result of years of hard work, consistent quality, and—most importantly—strong relationships with clients.
Many of the long-term clients I’ve worked with have built their own reputations to a level where they attract well-known names. Whether it’s TV personalities, sports stars, or creators with a global following, these big names choose to work with my clients because of the trust and credibility they’ve built in their own world.
When those clients bring me on board to edit, film, or produce that content, it’s not just exciting—it’s an honour. Knowing that someone trusts me to deliver on something that important means the world. It’s a reflection of the relationship we’ve built together over time.
The Reality of Big Names: They’re Just People
Here’s the funny thing about working with celebrities or high-profile names: they’re usually far more approachable and down-to-earth than you expect. It’s easy to imagine that these people live in a completely different world, untouchable and out-of-reach, but most of the time, that’s not the case.
Once you’re in the room—or behind the scenes working on their content—you quickly realise that they’re just like the rest of us. They have the same creative goals, the same sense of humour, and sometimes the same technical challenges (yes, even celebrities deal with video retakes and microphone hiccups!).
It’s a humbling reminder that everyone, no matter how well-known, is looking for the right team to bring their ideas to life.
A Great Bit of Promo, But Not the Whole Picture
Let’s be honest: having a big name associated with your work can be a great bit of promo for your business. It adds credibility, makes people sit up and take notice, and—if you’re lucky—might even lead to new opportunities. A celebrity project or a high-profile client on your portfolio is a nice talking point, especially when you’re trying to market yourself to new collaborators.
But that’s not the whole story. For me, the bigger reward is the process itself—the trust that got me there, the relationships I’ve built along the way, and the chance to work on something meaningful with people I value.
When my long-term clients bring me into these projects, it’s not because I “work for” them; it’s because I work withthem. They trust me to handle their biggest moments, whether that involves a household name or a small, intimate project that’s equally important to them. That trust is what fuels my business and what I’m most proud of.
Collaboration Creates Opportunity
If there’s one lesson I take away from these experiences, it’s that collaboration leads to opportunity. The clients I work with didn’t build their reputations alone. They’ve partnered with the right people, put in the work, and created something so impactful that it naturally attracts bigger names and bigger audiences.
And when those same clients bring me into the fold—whether it’s for an important video, a podcast episode, or event coverage—I get to be part of that story, too. It’s a cycle of trust, collaboration, and growth that benefits everyone involved.
The Bigger Picture
So yes, working with high-profile names is exciting, and there’s no denying the buzz that comes with seeing a recognisable face on a project you’ve worked on. But the real reward comes from the trust that opens those doors in the first place. It’s about the relationships you build, the work you produce, and the opportunities that naturally flow when you’re working with clients, not just for them.
Because at the end of the day, whether it’s a celebrity, a small business owner, or a not-for-profit organisation, every project is important. The goal is always the same: to create something great, together.
