
Pioneer Spirit
we craft stories with conviction

Trusted By

These logos represent past collaborations through Pioneer Spirit, freelance work, and agency partnerships.

Built for Brands With Backbone
We build brand systems that speak with strength.
Designed to last.
Rooted in conviction.
Measured by outcomes that matter.

Burn the Ships
Exurite Naves / Who We Are
We started Pioneer Spirit after watching traditional agencies trade integrity for influence—chasing trends, pushing quiet agendas, and losing sight of the brands they were meant to serve. We built something different: a studio grounded in clarity, conviction, and a deep respect for the truth.
Founded by Matthew and Claire Sandström, Pioneer Spirit is grounded in a decade of experience across media production, brand strategy, and state politics. Together, we bring a rare blend of creative vision and civic-minded strategy—uniting message and meaning for brands that stand for something. We stay hands-on with every project, because trust is earned, not outsourced.
We partner with leaders, brands, and organizations that value tradition, integrity, and enduring results. Our work includes high-impact photography, cinematic video production, brand design, curated asset libraries, and strategic use of generative AI. For a select group of aligned partners, we also provide strategy and marketing execution—helping them scale their mission without compromising their message.
We don’t chase trends. We craft stories that endure—guided by a respect for heritage, responsibility, and the people our work represents.

Our Founders’ Track Record
Before launching Pioneer Spirit, Matthew led creative production for over 140 media campaigns in the Nashville market and across the country. His photo and video work was featured in marketing efforts that generated:
$72.6M in attributed revenue
82x average return on ad spend
85%+ client retention rate
$223K+ in production budgets managed
$57K+ in annual ops savings
17% increase in profitability from production systems he helped design
Creative that drove performance. Systems that scaled it.

Where We Lead
-
Stills
Photography, design, and visual systems that reinforce identity and honor your brand’s heritage.
-
Motion
Cinematic storytelling that builds trust, inspires action, and drives results across screens.
-
Marketing
Clear strategy.
Confident execution.
No compromises.

Matthew Sandström is a media producer and strategist with over a decade of experience behind the lens and across the marketing landscape. His work spans photography, film, and creative direction—crafted for brands that value authenticity, heritage, and long-term impact.
Raised in North Idaho and shaped by seasons in cities like Los Angeles and Prague, Matthew’s creative path has taken him across the country and around the world. Guided by a deep sense of calling and a commitment to craftsmanship, he eventually put down roots in Nashville—where he and his wife Claire founded Pioneer Spirit to help businesses tell stories that endure.
Before launching Pioneer Spirit, Matthew led creative production for over 140 media campaigns in the Nashville market and across the country. His photo and video work was featured in marketing efforts that generated over $72 million in attributed revenue, with an average 82x return on ad spend and an 85%+ client retention rate. He also helped design operational systems that increased profitability by 17% and saved over $57,000 annually—proving that good creative, when backed by smart structure, doesn’t just look good. It performs.
Today, Matthew leads all aspects of creative production at Pioneer Spirit, from brand photography to full-scale video campaigns. For a select group of aligned partners, he also serves as agency lead—developing tailored marketing strategies, crafting campaigns, and managing creative assets with the same conviction and care that define the brand itself.
He lives in Middle Tennessee with Claire and their two sons—where faith, family, and a spirit of independence shape both their work and their life.
Matthew Sandström
Founder & Creative Director


Claire Sandström
Founder & Administrative Director
Claire Sandström is a strategist, communicator, and organizer with a background that bridges government affairs, policy advising, and creative operations. Raised in a Christian family in Dearborn, Michigan, she grew up with a deep respect for hard work, truth, and personal responsibility—principles instilled by her father, a project manager in Ford’s performance division.
Her early experiences—including the cultural and political pressures surrounding her community—shaped a lifelong commitment to family, faith, and freedom. She trained in classical ballet from a young age, a discipline that brought her to Middle Tennessee to dance with the Nashville Ballet and taught her the quiet strength of focus, grace, and grit.
Over time, Claire’s sense of purpose led her to public service. She became a trusted policy advisor in the Tennessee General Assembly, working alongside legislative leadership to craft and pass legislation protecting the rights of families, businesses, and individuals across the state. She remains active in the legislature and continues to champion civic-minded causes throughout Tennessee.
As co-founder of Pioneer Spirit, Claire is the voice of clarity behind the scenes. She leads project operations, oversees timelines and deliverables, and brings structure to the creative process. She also provides strategic design support and, for select clients, orchestrates government relations efforts—connecting brands with the civic tools and relationships needed to make a lasting impact.
Claire lives in Middle Tennessee with her husband, Matthew, and their two sons. Her work is grounded in discernment, responsibility, and a deep commitment to meaningful service—principles that guide both her mission and her life.

Stills
Images that shape identity. Crafted with precision, curated with care, and built to endure.


Motion
Cinematic storytelling designed to resonate—crafted with clarity, built to last, and made to move.

Safelite Auto Glass
Blade Diaz
Liberty Justice Center
Workers Rights
Lone Star Rodeo
75th Anniversary
TennesseeCAN
Education Freedom
D.T. McCall & Sons
Almost 12

Our founder’s creative leadership has contributed to results like:
140+ campaigns produced for brands, nonprofits, and agencies
$72.6 million in attributed revenue
82x average return on ad spend
85%+ client retention rate
$223,000+ in budgets managed
$57,000 in annual savings from operations systems
17% increase in profitability through process innovation
Before Pioneer Spirit, the work still spoke for itself.
Now we bring that experience to brands that truly stand for something.

Visit Us
1030 16th Ave. South
Nashville, TN 37212
Hours
Closed Sunday
Phone
615.651.4177