We were lucky to catch up with Dev Anglin recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Dev, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
Of course! One of the ways I diverge from the industry standard in visual production is by focusing on building genuine connections with my clients. Rather than treating a photoshoot or production as a transactional exchange, I take the time to understand their story, personality, and vision. This principle approach allows me to capture more than just an image—it enables me to create photos & videos that reflect their authentic selves and evoke emotion.
In addition I make it a priority to create a relaxed, collaborative environment during productions, ensuring clients feel comfortable and seen. By fostering trust and open communication, the end result is imagery that resonates deeply, not just with the client but with their audience as well. This personal touch sets my work apart, transforming each project into a true partnership rather than just a service.
One of the most memorable experiences I’ve had as a photographer perfectly reflects how I prioritize real connections with clients. I worked with a plus-size model striving to win a modeling competition. It was our first time meeting, but as we shot, we vibed naturally, sharing stories and creating an energy that was authentic and effortless. That connection brought a special quality to the photos, and the experience reminded me of how thankful I am for what I get to do.
The story didn’t end there—she won the competition, the images we captured were featured in an online publication, and we’ve stayed friends ever since. That was almost a decade ago now! Moments like that showed me how meaningful connections can turn into powerful collaborations and lasting relationships.
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?
For me, cinematography and photography came into my life early—around age six. I got to play with my grandmother’s JVC camcorder, narrating family gatherings and capturing fun moments. Over the years, I kept the habit alive, snapping pictures of friends and anything else that caught my eye.
Then one day, while living in Dallas, I had a received request from a cool guy on Instagram to purchase one of my images. Not long after, I got a paid opportunity to shoot for a semi-pro football team’s marketing material for the upcoming season. That opened the door to gigs with clothing companies, small businesses, movies, and more!
This journey has led me to provide a wide range of creative services, solving clients’ needs for visual representation that authentically showcases who they are and what they do. This includes creating engaging imagery and offering art direction.
What I believe sets myself apart from others & happens to be what I’m most proud of is the journey itself—from experiencing homelessness to building a reputable career and multiple businesses in visual production, creative marketing, and fashion. My driving force has always been providing clients with a genuine product that brings their visions to life to survive the test of time in business.
On the fashion side of my career, the principles are much the same as in visual production. I’m all about delivering unique, high-quality products that make people feel confident and great about themselves. Like the saying goes, “When you look good, you feel good,” and I truly believe that. When those feelings are present, they soak into everything you do—it’s a beautiful way to live.
To keep that energy alive in my fashion work, I focus on creating pieces with unique silhouettes and rare, stunning fabrics. These details play a huge role in maintaining the sense of confidence and positivity, and I pour those principles into every design.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn on this journey is that all clients know exactly what they want and how to achieve it. I’ve come to realize that while we all have ideas, not everyone knows how to bring them to life—or how to fully maximize those ideas.
This became clear to me after working with a recording artist who performed in a packed nightclub. The event was lit, crazy! Everything went great. A few days later, I delivered the video and images, but my client admitted they didn’t know what to do with them. Being green in production, my instinctive response was, “Just post them.”
Over time, I’ve matured and began to approach projects with the campaign in mind. Now, I prioritize full transparency with my clients by asking critical questions upfront: “What are we doing with these assets?” and “What do we want to these assets to do for us?” This shift has been pivotal in ensuring my work doesn’t just look good but also serves a long term strategic purpose.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
What I believe helped build my reputation in this industry is the professionalism I bring to every project. Being on time, treating everyone with respect, and valuing their time and investment are non-negotiables for me. Time and time again, clients have expressed how professional our entire process has been.
When professionalism is paired with high-quality work, it creates a solid foundation for conducting business—especially in an industry as social and relationship-driven as this one.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.devanglin.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dev_anglin
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devan.anglin
Image Credits
Dev Anglin
Kevin Fiscus
Madi Church