We recently connected with Adam Meurer and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Adam thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Pixel Black Creative was founded with a passion for injecting creativity into the all things in the design field.

“Back in the early days”, as I like to say, it was an exciting time in the creative industry. Brands had generous budgets and were eager to experiment. Facebook and social media were emerging as platforms with new opportunities. Pixel Black began with a strong mission to build a creative agency centered around design.

Today, that mission has evolved in response to our clients’ needs. We’ve shifted our focus to product photography and video, which I find incredibly rewarding. It feels more tangible and allows for a more personal connection with our clients.

With tighter budgets, a proliferation of graphic designers and content creators, and the rise of AI, along with the increasing comfort in outsourcing design work overseas for lower costs, Pixel Black has adapted from its original mission.

I believe in the importance of being adaptable. Embracing change and being willing to pivot opens doors to exciting new possibilities. In my case, it has allowed me to become more focused. My original mission of serving the design industry as a whole has evolved into a more client-centric approach.

Today, my mission for Pixel Black is simple: to provide our clients with high-quality product photography and video that elevates their brands through compelling visual content. In a rapidly changing world, I believe there’s something authentic and trustworthy about physical product photography and video that helps ground and connect people to a brand or product.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I graduated from the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in 2000, majoring in Sculpture and minoring in Photography. During the Dot-com boom, I was inspired by friends exploring web design and development, many of whom achieved remarkable success. This era significantly influenced my perspective, much like pop culture shapes trends.

I was a starting member of a design-build business focused on creating custom interiors, primarily for restaurants and hospitality—crafting what I like to call the “hot spots.” As my family grew, I sought a less physically demanding career, leading me to establish Pixel Black Creative, which specializes in graphic services.

Now, 11 years later, I’ve found my niche, blending hands-on creativity with marketing through product photography and video. I appreciate the tactile nature of product photography combined with the digital process of photo retouching and video editing and animation for marketing purposes.

For a decade, I worked with Harley-Davidson Motor Company, retouching motorcycles, parts, accessories, and apparel. I enjoyed collaborating with photo teams on set, planning shots to achieve our desired final images. Generac Power Systems has also been a valued client, entrusting me with product photography for their generators, EV charging systems, and expanding product lines.

My commitment to every client is to deliver exceptional work, meet every deadline, and serve as a reliable, trusted partner. Although Pixel Black Creative isn’t the large agency I once envisioned, I leverage a network of top talent to provide cost-effective content solutions that help brands effectively market their products and lifestyle.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Acquiring new clients is a challenge across all industries. With the multitude of digital marketing options available today, combined with traditional methods, it’s difficult to differentiate your business and connect with new customers. There are more resources than ever and overseas resources and job platforms has made the competition pool deep. That’s why I’ve found that my most trusted and reliable source of new business is one of the oldest marketing methods: word of mouth.

My secret is genuinely caring about the work I do and always prioritizing my clients’ best interests. When clients know you’re invested in their success, they become strong supporters. They provide repeat business and, more importantly, refer you to their network. It’s a great surprise when they refer you to a client or change jobs and bring you along to their new company! Of course, a strong portfolio is essential to showcase your work and prove your value to potential clients.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Starting the business required a lot of self-reliance, which I imagine is common for most small businesses. Creative people are scrappy and typically self-starters, though we’re often driven more by our passions than pure business sense.

I saved money from my “real job” to sustain myself while developing the business and working on projects during off-hours, which led to many late nights. However, the satisfaction of completing a design or photo retouching project and seeing the payment hit the bank was incredibly motivating. It gave me a feeling of freedom. Even though I was learning to start and run a business in addition to doing the project work, it pushed me forward.

Profits were reinvested into new studio equipment, hard drives, and resources. This eventually led to the most satisfying part of my work: being able to surround myself with talented people and friends who help me on my projects. I truly couldn’t do what I do without them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pixelblack.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pixelblackcreative/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pixelblackllc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pixel-black/