Solo to Studio: Growing a Creative Business in Christchurch

Join James as he hosts a session that's less, “how to use a camera” and more “how to build a business.” From redundancy to running a team, he's lived the freelancer to production house journey firsthand, and he’s here to share what worked (and what didn't). Expect real talk - on hiring, growing your client base, and figuring out when it's time to stop doing it all yourself. No jargon, no theory, just honest lessons from someone who's built a business right here in Christchurch. Whether you’re deep in freehand life, dreaming about your first hire, or want to learn from creatives chasing the same goals, come along and get inspired. About James James was made redundant during Covid. After a career in marketing roles and creative agencies in London, he decided to go out on his own. Six years later, Itch has grown to a team of four and is one of the leading content studios in Christchurch. Event Info • Date: Wednesday, September 30th, 2026 • Time: 6:00pm arrival for a 6:30pm start • Venue: 921 Studios, 9/21 Michelle Road, Wigram • Nibbles and drinks provided. Your 921 Studio Host Craig Forster is a Christchurch photographer, videographer and the Creative Director behind Lightchasers , a production company known for striking photography, video and content that helps brands and businesses tell stories with impact. Craig is also behind 921 Studio, a creative-first space for photographers, filmmakers and content makers to learn, experiment and create together. As a director and lead creative, he brings practical experience, clear insight and a collaborative ethos to every project and workshop he’s involved in.