We were lucky to catch up with Dave Wagner recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dave, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Prior to starting my own business and artist portfolio, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems. While this was a very meaningful accomplishment for me, I later realized in my life that I had become creatively frustrated. It was not something that occurred to me immediately. I worked in IT for about 5 years in different roles such as: an Entry Level Frontend Web Developer, a Technology Specialist, and a Network Design Consultant and while these roles were very different from each other, they didn’t inspire me creatively. What I did after my IT roles that I started to see myself enjoying creatively, was that I was given the opportunity to make videos and run a TV station for a local retirement home in my area. Upon working there for about a year and a half and assisting with redesigning a broadcasting system and an educational video program, I found myself inspired to go out on my own as a freelance videographer and drone pilot.

This was not an easy decision because of the risk of not having a typical job in place, but when one is inspired and feeling the creative spirit, one must take the call and start somewhere new. Even though I was now for the first time in a long time not working in a full-time position, I did have the opportunity to be the first contracted drone pilot for a school district in Moon township pa, The High School Football team is called the Cornell Raiders. While working as a drone pilot and videographer for Cornell Highschool I was given the task of uploading both drone footage and sometimes video footage of the teams plays to the application Hudl, for the football students to review and learn from football patterns. One thing that I was not asked to do but I felt would help inspire the school community was first, I made a motivating video invitation for folks to attend the football games as well as, I created weekly highlight videos of the team’s best football plays.

After a few months of working with the team and the football season ending, I was left with a new challenge, what to do next? I decided to go on social media and look at some small businesses in my area to see if any work could be done content wise. Sure enough, I came across Pflugh’s Country Market and learned that they wanted to make a video, so I hopped in my car and met with the owner and we discussed some video ideas. I was then commissioned to produce a video for their social media page which highlighted their annual family gathering. After this, I then started looking for part time jobs in my area and soon enough I was able to work as a photographer for JC Penny Portraits during the Christmas season. While this was a slightly hectic and fast paced environment, it was also a great opportunity to work in a photography studio as well as I was able to grown in my creative framing and photography of capturing people and paying attention to photo details.

Once Christmas ended, I then continued for about a month or two longer only slightly doing a day or two a week of photography at the studio. I then began to start with connecting with my local library and I performed a drone educational presentation that I’m currently doing with other libraries this year. I also started working with my local newspaper The Beaver County Times through their freelance photographer program and my photos have been published from a couple of assignments and occasions. Although the initial choice of taking this risk has been quite scary for me, I’m very grateful to have done this as I am now working towards growing new skills and I feel more motivated to express my visual storytelling, social interactions, and of course creative concepts.

Dave, 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?

I got into Photography, Videography and Drone Pilot work during different times in my life. Videography was always something that I deeply enjoyed, and I loved learning about behind the scenes work. I was first exposed to videography when I was very young, and my parents had a camcorder that I recorded using VHS tapes. Later when I went to High School, I was able to learn how to cut up footage and the types of shots and lighting that you could use to convey and tell a story. I went to Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School the first year it opened and went for media. After graduating high school, that’s when I shifted and went into Computer Programming and IT Support in College and received my BS in Computer Systems. Even though I worked in IT for years I always had video work follow me. For instance, I worked in a middle school and the computer teacher needed assistance with a video project that her kids entered in called: What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? They needed help with the project and after helping them with breaking down their story, Aspect Ratio requirements, and codec they were able to go to and win their documentary to springboard them to states (https://www.whatssocool.org/). My YouTube Channel is: @AngleOfAttackImagery.

During Covid, I became very interested in drones and I wanted to get my Parts 107 (Drone Pilots License) to be able to fly drones commercially. So, I took a drone course and after about half of the summer I was able to take my drone test, pass, and receive my license. My first ever drone project that I did semi commercially was for the website: golfdelmar.com which was a video of each golf hole and was to show off the golf course. Later I did other videos and arial photography for different clients. Much of this work can be found on the website: Aofattackimagery.com or by search Angle of Attack Imagery LLC. I also do presentations of drone safety for my local communities.

Photography has been my most recent work, I’ve been doing quite a bit of it as both an employee of JC Penny Portraits as well as a Freelance photographer for The Beaver County Times (https://www.timesonline.com/picture-gallery/news/education/2024/05/14/blackhawk-students-celebrating-prom-during-their-grand-march-ceremony/73683239007/) and I have even won the judge’s choice award for a photography contest titled: Shutterbug Showdown located at the Zelienople Library in Zelienople Pennsylvania. I continue to work in this field, and I’ve recently been doing engagement photos as well as some of my work can be found on my Instagram account @angleofattackimagery for folks that might be interested in my type of perspective and photography services.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Being in continuous process is what drives me as a creative. I’m more focused on the moment and the decisions I make from my prospective of storytelling. I like to think in how I can manipulate time, texture, light and especially color with the type of work that I’m producing. It’s less about the end product and more about the decisions and the continuous changes that I get to express and convey to myself and for others to view my message. This journey too, leads me in connecting with more and more people as well as building a foundation of creative friendships.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

Communication is the key for me to continue my journey and to offer my services. I’ve received contracts through face-to-face interactions and offers that I’ve made to others. It helps to smile and be cheerful to those that you’re trying to connect with and improve their brand. For example, much of the photography for @VintageDebbiewagner comes from my dedication as her personal photographer / content manager for both her events and the senior communities that she expresses importance and support. Discussing the work is important but so too is expressing my capabilities and what I can and cannot do. I like to make sure that my clients have a clear vision of what I can help them with and what might be an over promise that can’t be fulfilled. I feel that I do my best through setting healthy boundaries but also giving my all to a project for a client.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aofattackimagery.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angleofattackimagery/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidnicholaswagner/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AngleOfAttackImagery

Image Credits

BF Jones Memorial Library, Bryan Knudson, Daniel Kirkman, Kim Ostrowski, Debbie Wagner (Vintage Debbie)