Today we’d like to introduce you to Phil Phriday
Hi Phil, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
After graduating high school, I decided to pursue my passion for acting, which took me to New York City, where I attended an acting school. After a year of honing my craft, I made the move to Los Angeles to continue my education at the school’s West Coast campus. It was there that I purchased my first video camera, not knowing how pivotal it would become in my career. I began teaching myself how to film and edit by creating content with my fellow students, as we all wanted more on-camera experience.
What started as a hobby soon turned into a professional opportunity. I landed a job working behind the scenes on TV sets for the Disney Channel, Hallmark, and a few reality shows. I enjoyed the technical side of the business but also wanted to find ways to pay off the camera equipment I had invested in. This led me to film real estate videos and photograph properties for a few agents. It quickly grew from a side gig to something much bigger, taking me to Costa Rica and St. Barths to capture luxury vacation rentals.
Eventually, I accepted a full-time role as the Marketing Director for a Sotheby’s Realty affiliate in the Caribbean, where I spent ten years growing my skills in real estate marketing while traveling and developing my career as a videographer. Throughout this journey, I always carried the dream of being in front of the camera, so I began to mix my two passions by creating video blogs and social media content, blending my love for storytelling with marketing.
After a decade in the Caribbean, I was ready for a new chapter and moved back to the U.S., bringing my experience to The Corcoran Group’s Southern Florida Marketing Team. Based in Miami Beach, I now work with over 100 agents, helping them excel in marketing, particularly on Instagram, to showcase their real estate listings. When I’m not working, I’m often exploring my hobbies in street photography and travel, documenting my adventures on social media.
As someone who is new to Miami, I’m excited to immerse myself in the city’s vibrant culture and bring my creative vision to life. I’m currently focused on building and growing my photography and videography business, “Phil Phriday,” and look forward to collaborating with local professionals and real estate agents. With the unique blend of architecture, culture, and lifestyle that Miami offers, I’m eager to capture the essence of this city and help others showcase it through exceptional visuals. It’s an exciting new chapter, and I can’t wait to see where it leads.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many people pursuing creative careers, I had to face the reality that my original dream of becoming an actor wasn’t going to pan out the way I had envisioned. That was a tough moment—realizing that the path I had been so committed to wasn’t leading where I had hoped. From there, I had to figure out what I could dream about next, and that’s where my passion for filmmaking and photography really started to take shape.
But even then, the journey wasn’t without its struggles. Trying to create content and get it noticed in a world where social media is consumed so quickly has been a huge challenge. The algorithms, constant changes in trends, and oversaturation of content can make it hard to stand out. I’ve worked hard to promote myself and my work, but one of the biggest hurdles has been my own mindset. Since I’m self-taught, I’ve always struggled with self-promotion—there’s a tendency to feel like I have to prove myself more than others. The biggest challenge has been learning to get out of my own way, overcome self-doubt, and trust that my skills and creativity are enough to succeed.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve had the opportunity to explore many creative outlets throughout my career, but one area I’m particularly proud of is my early adoption of drone technology. I got into flying drones when they were just starting to become a tool in real estate marketing, and I quickly saw the potential they had to showcase properties in ways that traditional photography couldn’t. This opened up doors for me, especially during my travels throughout the Caribbean, where I was able to capture stunning visuals of landscapes and luxury properties from entirely new perspectives.
One of the most defining moments in my career came after Hurricane Irma devastated the island of St. Maarten, a place I had come to know and love through my work. The media portrayal of the island’s condition didn’t match the stories I was hearing from friends who lived there. A few months after the hurricane, I was fortunate enough to return and see the reality of the situation for myself. I decided to use my videography and drone skills to document the true state of the island, capturing both the destruction and the resilience of the people. The video I created was honest and unfiltered, and it struck a chord with those who loved St. Maarten as much as I did. It gained a lot of attention on social media, and I realized that I could be a beacon for people seeking truthful, heartfelt stories about places they care about.
What sets me apart is my ability to blend storytelling with technology—whether it’s showcasing real estate or documenting life in the aftermath of a hurricane. I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve been able to use my skills to give people a deeper, more authentic understanding of the world around them.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
One thing I’d like to remind people is that while it’s true that finding your niche is important for success on social media, it doesn’t have to define you. Over the years, I’ve changed my mind about who I am and what interests me, and that’s okay. Don’t be afraid to evolve, switch things up, and show different sides of yourself through your art. The most important thing is to stay true to who you are and create content that you’re genuinely proud of. Don’t get too caught up in the views or the numbers—focus on being your authentic self, and the right audience will find you.
And remember, it’s called “social media” for a reason—it should be a social experience. Don’t just put your work out there; take time to support others as well. It’s just as important to create art as it is to support it. Make your social media presence interactive, and be part of the community by engaging with others’ work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://philphriday.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/philphriday
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philphriday
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/philphriday
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/philphriday
Image Credits
Phil Phriday
