We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anthony Conti. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anthony below.

Anthony, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?

If I were starting AConti Media over today, I’d go all-in on social media from day one. Back when I started, it wasn’t nearly as big of a deal, so I leaned more on word of mouth and networking. That worked, but I see now how much faster I could’ve grown if I’d built an online presence early—sharing my work, my personality, and my story. Social media is where people connect with you before they even meet you, and if I could do it again, I’d use that to grow my brand and voice right out of the gate.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I first got into this industry when I went to Point Park University in Pittsburgh for multimedia. I’d always had a love for photo and video, but college is when it really clicked that this was more than just a passion—it’s what I wanted to turn into a career and eventually my own business. That’s how AConti Media was born.

Today, we provide photo and video assets for a wide range of clients—everything from weddings and real estate to commercial projects and branding. At the core, what we do is help people tell their stories visually, whether that’s a couple reliving their wedding day, a business showcasing their brand, or a realtor marketing a property.

What sets us apart is how much pride we take in making our clients’ visions come to life. It’s not just about delivering photos or a video—it’s about creating something they’re genuinely proud to share, something that represents them well and connects with their audience. That moment when a client sees the finished product and is excited to show it off—that’s the most rewarding part of what I do.

At the end of the day, I want people to know that AConti Media is about more than just content—it’s about collaboration, creativity, and creating work that truly speaks for you.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I was able to start and build my audience through online networking. I spent a lot of time following, messaging, and genuinely interacting with fellow creatives—both in Pittsburgh and outside my local area. Over time, those conversations turned into relationships, and that’s really how I built an online community around my work. It wasn’t about chasing numbers—it was about creating real connections, and the audience naturally grew from there.

My biggest piece of advice for anyone just starting out is to focus on being consistent and authentic. Post your work, but also share a bit of yourself—your process, your personality, your story. Don’t be afraid to reach out, comment, and connect with others in your space. Building a presence online isn’t just about creating content, it’s about showing up and building community.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was that saying “yes” to everything isn’t always the best approach. When I first started my business, I wanted to take on every project that came my way. I thought it was the fastest path to building connections, growing my portfolio, and making more money. And while it did open some doors, a lot of those projects I wasn’t fully confident about ended up being the wrong fit.

In the long run, those “yes” projects often cost me more time, money, and stress than they were worth. I had to learn that being selective—choosing the right clients and the right projects—actually helps your business grow stronger. It allows you to do your best work, create better relationships, and protect your energy. Sometimes the most powerful move is saying “no.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.acontimedia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@aconti_media
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-conti-media/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAleatory

Image Credits

Dawn Derbyshire