We’re Back: Vlog #11 – Small City Video Production

After a 10-month hiatus, I’m diving back into regular vlogging to share updates on where Blue Tie Productions is headed. This vlog serves as a checkpoint—reflecting on massive growth this past year while mapping out the strategic direction for the next decade.

Getting Back to Regular Content

It’s been roughly 10 months since the last vlog dropped, and I’m committing to making these a regular thing again. Before jumping into the updates, I want to give a quick shout-out to David from Morfield Productions. I had a great consultation call with him where we discussed not just YouTube strategy, but broader business approaches and ways to amplify what we’re doing. If you’re unsure what’s working or what might work for your production business, David’s someone worth connecting with.

The Biggest Projects of My Career—All in One Year

This past spring and summer brought the biggest projects in my career to date, and they were all packed into one condensed timeline. That concentration of high-level work brought significant learning opportunities, especially around working with larger crews and identifying the people I work best with.

One standout was a national insurance company commercial produced through a production company that hired me. That project alone was a journey in itself. On top of that, I had several other large-scale projects where I assembled and managed a five-person crew. These experiences forced me to really sharpen my operations and professionalism.

Within this past year, I also worked with a symphony client on three separate concerts—and that work genuinely fills my soul. Every time I step back from one of those projects, I think, “This. If my business becomes this over the next 10 to 20 years, I’m all in.” That’s the kind of work that drives purpose.

Knowledge Compounds—Gear Philosophy Evolves

One major shift I’ve experienced is my approach to gear. There’s a lot of talk in the YouTube creator space about constantly upgrading to the latest cameras, lenses, and lighting setups. But here’s what I’ve learned: work with what you’ve got.

I’ve been using much of my current gear for four to five years now, and there’s a reason for that—it works really well. Rather than chasing the next big camera, I’ve been focused on identifying the smaller additions and upgrades that add genuine value to production quality and workflow efficiency.

I’ve made some strategic additions in cameras, lenses, and lighting, but none of these are about buying the flashiest new gear. Instead, they’re calculated additions that meaningfully amplify the caliber of work I can deliver and make productions significantly easier to execute. These smaller optimizations have had outsized impact on the final product.

I have several videos in the works where I’ll dive deep into specific equipment choices and break down the philosophy behind them. For now, know that I’m approaching gear from a place of intentionality rather than acquisition.

The Winter Question—and the Business Plan Forward

Winter in Wisconsin hits differently. Every year, I face the same question: what’s the plan to get through the slower months? In the past, I’ve done grocery delivery work, and honestly, I don’t mind it. There’s something almost meditative about it—driving different routes, dropping off packages, clearing your head while staying productive.

Maybe that’s in the cards again this winter. But more importantly, I’m focused on reshaping how I approach year-round business stability.

Building Retainer Stability: From One to Three

Right now, I have one retainer client. They’re fantastic to work with—understanding, collaborative, and genuinely good people. The retainer arrangement itself is substantial and sustainable. My goal is to replicate that relationship and scale it to three solid retainer clients, ideally before 2026.

The key here is finding the balance. I have a natural tendency to overcommit and overload my plate, so this time I’m being intentional about capacity. The goal isn’t just three retainer clients—it’s three that I can genuinely service at the level they deserve while maintaining my quality standards and sanity.

The 10-Year Vision: Specializing in Symphony and Performing Arts

While retainer clients form the backbone of stable revenue, my 10-year vision is to specialize in symphony and performing arts production. This past year, I worked with one symphony client across three concert productions, and that work represents the sweet spot for me creatively and professionally.

Symphony season runs September through May (sometimes June, depending on the region), so it creates a natural seasonal structure. My goal is to secure two to three additional symphony clients next year, building from that single client relationship I have now.

The reality is that many symphonies operate on tight budgets, which is why I’m planning to dive deeper into creative structuring and financing solutions in a future video. The symphony I worked with this past year found an interesting way to make professional videography work within their constraints, and there are real lessons there worth sharing.

The Complete Picture: Three to Four Retainers + Two to Five Annual Concerts

Here’s the model I’m building:

• Year-round foundation: Three to four good-sized retainer clients providing consistent revenue and workflow

• Seasonal peaks (September–May): Two to five concert projects with symphonies and performing arts organizations

This structure fills multiple boxes. Retainers provide stability. Symphony work fulfills creative ambition and pushes me to maintain the highest production standards—especially when you’re managing five cameras on a live performance where there’s zero room for mistakes. The intensity of that work forces you to have your systems, crew, and execution locked down tight.

Why I Film on the Lumix S5—And Why I Sometimes Don’t

I’ve settled into what I’d call my style and workflow. Part of that is the Lumix S5, which I consider a professional-grade camera for commercial shoots. But here’s the real insight: the right tool depends on the job.

There are absolutely times when renting a different camera is the right call. Knowing when to rely on your workhorse versus when to invest in a rental is part of professional maturity. I’ll be breaking down this thinking in more detail in upcoming videos—the philosophy behind camera choice, workflow efficiency, and matching gear to project requirements.

The Latest Projects—And What’s Coming Next

I had the opportunity to work with a videographer I’d never collaborated with before, which brought fresh perspective and learning. Additionally, I’m working with my main collaborator, Ben, on wedding videography. These varied project types keep the work interesting and highlight the breadth of skills required in this industry.

Next week’s vlog will dive into those projects and the specific insights that came from them.

The Bottom Line

This vlog marks a reset and a recommitment to regular content. I’m heading into the next phase with clear goals: build a sustainable retainer base, specialize in performing arts and symphony work, and continue refining my craft and systems.

The work matters. The process matters. And sharing what we’re learning along the way matters too.

It’s in the bag.