A little bit about Chanelle Smith-Walker...
Chanelle Smith-Walker is a seasoned creative professional with over 10 years of expertise in creative direction, marketing strategy, graphic design, and photography. Proficient in Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator, she currently holds the position of team photographer for the Carolina Panthers, making her the second black female team photographer in NFL history. Chanelle has played a pivotal role in leading the Carolina Panthers' digital team through significant projects, including the Representation Matters: Celebrating Black Culture Initiative, the 2022 and 2023 schedule release campaigns, and the Hall of Honor campaign.
As a freelancer, Chanelle served as the creative director and photographer for the Champions 2022 Fall Apparel Line and contributed her photography skills to the Nascar x Alvin Kamara Apparel Partnership. Notable among her achievements is her role in conceptualizing, designing sets, and photographing the 2022 and 2023 NWSL Draft, as well as capturing moments at the 2022 and 2021 F1 Miami Grand Prix. In 2021, she was honored with the Creators of Colors award by Hashtag Sports.
Previously, Chanelle made history as the first black creative director in the SEC while serving as the Creative Director for University of Tennessee football. She was also part of the design team for the 2021 College Football National Championship, establishing herself as a member of the first female design duo and the first black designer for the CFB Playoffs.
Chanelle's career trajectory includes roles such as Director of Creative Media for NC State Football and Associate Director of Graphic Design for the Baylor Bears. She began her journey in the field as a graduate assistant for the athletics creative department at Southern Miss, eventually becoming the Director of Digital Media and Creative Services.
A decorated volleyball student-athlete at Elon University, Chanelle graduated in 2015 with a B.A. in strategic communications and a minor in Digital Art. Her ambition and innovation shine through in her work, showcasing a decade of hands-on experience in handling diverse creative projects and photoshoots. Well versed in managing teams of creatives and contractors; as well as partnering with engineers, legal, marketing, and organizations. Chanelle possesses a unique ability to elevate brand awareness through simple, clean, and edgy design, effectively catering to the desired target audience while aligning with campaign goals and objectives.