What I Wish I Knew Before Getting Into Digital Media

Five years into working in digital media, I've realized something that I wish I'd understood from the beginning: very few of the things that actually grew the business had anything to do with cameras, lenses, or the latest equipment.

Don't get me wrong - good tools definitely matter. But after talking with others in the industry and reflecting on my own experience, the biggest lessons were much simpler. If I could go back and give myself advice starting out, these are the things I'd focus on and what I get to focus on now!

Relationships Matter More Than Equipment

Early on, I spent a lot of time thinking the next piece of gear would unlock better work or bigger clients. What I've learned instead is that trust, communication, and genuine relationships have had a much bigger impact on the business.

Most opportunities have come through referrals, repeat clients, and simply being someone people enjoy working with. Great work matters, but so does being responsive, reliable, and easy to collaborate with.

Storytelling Will Always Beat Production Value

This is something I hear echoed by so many people in the industry.

The projects that resonate most aren't necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets, they're the ones with a clear message and authentic story. Businesses don't need content that looks like a Super Bowl commercial. I mean, that would be nice, but really they need content that helps people understand who they are and why they matter.

Good storytelling and clear messaging have consistently delivered better results than chasing trends or overcomplicating things.

Consistency Wins More Than Perfection

Stop waiting for everything to be perfect. Some of the biggest growth has come from simply showing up consistently: creating content regularly, staying connected with clients, and continuing to improve over time. Not every project needs to be groundbreaking. The momentum created by consistency has always been more valuable than trying to make every piece perfect.

Business Skills Matter Just As Much As Creative Skills

This one makes sense when you really think about it, but it often gets overlooked.

So many people get into digital media because they love the creative side, but what really changed the business was learning how to communicate, manage projects, understand marketing, and focus on solving problems for clients.

At the end of the day, clients aren't hiring a camera. They're hiring someone who can help them accomplish a goal.

Five years in, the things that have made the biggest difference aren't the things I expected.

It's been:

• Building relationships.
• Focusing on storytelling.
• Staying consistent.
• Learning the business side of creativity.

The gear has changed over the years. Those things haven't.

And honestly, if I were starting over tomorrow, I'd spend a lot less time worrying about equipment and a lot more time focusing on the people, processes, and stories that actually move the needle. Whether you're building a business or looking to tell your story through video, we're always happy to help create content that focuses on what matters most.