We were lucky to catch up with Tina Dang recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Some of the most interesting parts of our journey emerge from areas where we believe something that most people in our industry do not – do you have something like that?

I’ve noticed that in the photography and videography community, there can be a tendency to gatekeep—whether it’s shoot locations, equipment, or techniques. This often stems from a scarcity mindset. However, I believe that what truly sets an artist apart isn’t the tools they use, but how they use them.

There have been instances where we’ve asked colleagues about a location, and they’ve been reluctant to share, which we can understand given the effort they put into finding it.

However, we believe there’s enough work and clients for everyone to succeed, and viewing our peers as part of a community rather than competition has been instrumental in our growth. It’s allowed us to learn and grow our business much faster than if we had tried to do it all on our own.

Tina, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For those who may not be familiar with us, we are MXT Visuals, a Seattle-based production, photography, and film team. Our journey began with a shared passion for visual storytelling that emerged during our high school journalism days. I’m Tina Dang, the lead photographer and creative director, and I work alongside Miguel Laureano Damian, our lead videographer. Although I started taking photos in middle school, our collaboration started when I sold my Canon T3i to Miguel, sparking his interest in photography. We realized the potential of our partnership when we shot a wedding for Miguel’s family and were thrilled with the results. This early success inspired us to turn our passion into a business.

At MXT Visuals, we offer a range of creative services, including photography and videography for various events, as well as more experimental and artistic projects. What sets us apart is our commitment to bringing our clients’ unique visions to life while ensuring they stay true to who they are. From enchanted gardens to 90s-inspired sets, we thrive on projects that allow us to experiment with lighting, colors, and other creative elements.

We take pride in our ability to blend creativity with a strong business acumen. A few years ago, we took a significant step by acquiring a dedicated studio space, which has been a game-changer for us. It provides us with the freedom to experiment with new concepts and has allowed us to better separate work from our personal lives.

One of the challenges we’ve faced is balancing the demands of running a business with staying true to our creative roots. To maintain our inspiration, we’ve learned to be selective about the projects we take on, prioritizing those that align with our vision and values. This approach has not only kept us creatively fulfilled but has also attracted clients who appreciate and resonate with our style.

We’re most proud of the community we’ve built around MXT Visuals. Growing up in South Seattle, we didn’t see many creatives pursuing photography or videography as a career. Today, we’re honored to have inspired others to explore this path. We’ve also embraced a collaborative approach, seeing our fellow photographers as partners rather than competitors, which has accelerated our growth and learning.

In the end, we want potential clients and followers to know that MXT Visuals is more than just a business—it’s a creative force dedicated to producing meaningful work that resonates on a deeper level. We’re committed to making a positive impact in the industry and providing a platform for diverse voices and perspectives in photography and videography.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Miguel and I were high school students working minimum wage jobs when we decided to start our photography venture in 2017. We were both overachievers in school, which is how we connected and realized we had a shared passion and talent for something people were interested in.

At the time, I was juggling two jobs—working as a photographer at Woodland Park Zoo and at the Seattle Great Wheel—while also being heavily involved in extracurricular activities like serving as class president and editor-in-chief. Miguel was working at a restaurant while attending the University of Washington. Despite our busy schedules, we decided to pool our resources and go 50/50 on a new Sony camera, the Sony A7R III.

It took us a few months of extra shifts and saving to gather the ~$3,500 we needed. Purchasing that camera was a pivotal moment for us—it was the catalyst that pushed us to figure out how to make the money back and make our venture work. That scrappy, resourceful approach has defined how we’ve operated ever since, always finding a way to get things done in the best way possible.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of our work as artists is the opportunity to collaborate with people and help them express themselves, while also expressing our own creativity in the process. We have the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients in various settings. One day, we might be capturing the essence of a creative streetwear brand, and the next, we’re documenting a wedding with beautiful cultural and religious celebrations.

Seeing people in their happiest moments, truly in their element, is incredibly fulfilling. We feel fortunate to meet and work with such amazing clients, and it’s their trust in us that makes our work so meaningful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mxtvisuals.com
• Instagram: mxtvisuals
• Other: tiktok: mxtvisuals

Image Credits

we took these photos ourselves (:
photo credit: Tina Dang from MXT Visuals