Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Gascho.
Hi Nick , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2009 with a degree in Film & Video Production. Like a lot of creatives, I assumed that once I had the degree, the path would naturally open up. It didn’t. I worked on small film sets and indie projects, but stable, meaningful opportunities were hard to find. At one point, I was seriously considering changing careers altogether.
In 2015, I entered an international 60-hour film challenge. Honestly, it was more of a last attempt than a strategic career move. I was frustrated and even preparing to sell my camera gear. I told myself I’d make one more project — even if it wasn’t great — just to close that chapter. With a small group of friends, we created a short film under intense time pressure and without expectations. While it didn’t win the international contest, it went on to win four awards at other film festivals. That experience reignited my passion and reminded me why I started creating in the first place.
From there, things began to shift. The connections and confidence I gained opened doors to paid video work. I started building a broader portfolio, taking on projects for businesses, artists, and organizations. Over time, that evolved into Media Potion, a full-service video production company based in Northern Michigan.
Alongside me every step of the way has been my wife, Brittany. She didn’t originally come from a filmmaking background, but over the past several years she’s mastered videography, photography, editing, and client management. She’s become an irreplaceable creative and business partner. Together, we also launched Wedding Potion, our sister brand dedicated to wedding photography and videography.
Interestingly, the same skills I developed during that 60-hour film challenge — thinking quickly, storytelling under pressure, and trusting creative instincts — translate perfectly to weddings. There are no second takes on a wedding day. You have to anticipate moments and capture them as they happen. That mindset has become one of our biggest strengths.
Today, I’m grateful to say that I earn a full-time living from creative work. It wasn’t an overnight success. It took persistence, networking, constant improvement, and a willingness to bet on myself when things felt uncertain. Looking back, the biggest turning point wasn’t winning awards — it was deciding not to quit.
And that mindset still drives everything we do.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. In fact, most of the journey has involved uncertainty, setbacks, and figuring things out as I went.
After graduating, I assumed I’d find steady work in film production, but that didn’t happen. I received a few job offers downstate, but they were minimum-wage positions and financially unrealistic once relocation costs were factored in. That was discouraging. You put years into learning a craft, and then reality hits — talent alone doesn’t guarantee opportunity.
Financial pressure was one of the biggest struggles early on. When you’re trying to build something creative, there’s no clear roadmap. Some months were steady, others weren’t. I had to learn not just filmmaking, but business — pricing, marketing, networking, client communication, contracts — all of it. Creative skill is only half the equation. Learning how to run a company was a completely different challenge.
There were also mental hurdles. Comparing myself to others, wondering if I was behind, questioning whether I should pivot to something “safer.” The 60-hour film challenge came at a moment when I was genuinely ready to walk away. That period taught me resilience more than anything else.
Even after starting Media Potion and later Wedding Potion, growth wasn’t instant. It took years of consistency — showing up, delivering high-quality work, asking for referrals, building relationships, and continually improving. There were long editing nights, tight deadlines, and moments where the workload felt overwhelming.
But every challenge forced growth. The financial uncertainty taught discipline. The slow seasons taught patience. The competitive market taught differentiation. And the pressure of weddings — where there are no second takes — sharpened my instincts and confidence.
Looking back, I wouldn’t call it smooth, but I would call it formative. The struggles shaped both my skill set and my mindset. They taught me that persistence matters more than momentum, and that consistency over time is what turns creative passion into a sustainable career.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Media Potion?
My wife Brittany and I run Media Potion, a full-service video production company based in Northern Michigan. Through Media Potion, we produce promotional videos for businesses, music videos, branded content, and creative short films. We also operate our sister brand, Wedding Potion, which focuses exclusively on wedding photography and videography.
At the core of everything we do is storytelling. We don’t approach projects as just “video jobs.” Whether it’s a wedding or a commercial project, we approach it like filmmakers — thinking about narrative structure, pacing, sound design, color grading, and emotional impact. Many videographers specialize in either shooting or editing. What sets us apart is that we’ve built our foundation around understanding the entire filmmaking process from start to finish.
With weddings in particular, there are no second takes. You can’t recreate a first look or redo a ceremony moment. Our background in fast-paced film challenges and festival projects trained us to think quickly, adapt under pressure, and make strong creative decisions in real time. That ability translates directly into the wedding world, where instinct and anticipation are everything.
Another thing that sets us apart is that Brittany and I are a husband-and-wife team. Clients aren’t hiring a random rotation of subcontractors — they’re hiring us. Over the years, Brittany has mastered videography, photography, editing, and client experience, and she plays a critical role in both the creative and operational sides of the business. That consistency matters. Our clients know exactly who they’re working with and what quality to expect.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is our consistency. We’ve built our reputation on delivering high-quality work regardless of the size of the project. Whether we’re filming a wedding, producing a promotional piece for a business, or creating a short film, we bring the same level of care and professionalism. We’ve earned strong reviews not because of one viral moment, but because we consistently show up and execute at a high level.
I’m also proud of how much we’ve been able to accomplish independently. We’ve grown organically — through relationships, word-of-mouth, and steadily improving our craft. There’s something meaningful about building something sustainable through persistence and integrity rather than shortcuts.
What I’d want readers to know most is this: we’re not just videographers with cameras — we’re filmmakers who care deeply about story, emotion, and quality. Whether someone is a business owner, an artist, or a couple planning their wedding day, our goal is always the same — create something that feels authentic, impactful, and worth watching years from now.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I definitely didn’t build this alone.
First and foremost, my wife Brittany deserves the most credit. She’s been there through every stage — from the uncertainty in the early years to building Media Potion and Wedding Potion into what they are today. She didn’t originally come from a filmmaking background, but she immersed herself in learning videography, photography, editing, and client management. Over time, she became not just my partner in life, but my full creative and business partner. Her calm presence, attention to detail, and ability to connect with clients have been just as important as anything I bring to the table.
The friends who helped us during our film challenges also played a huge role. We still occasionally participate in festival events like the fortnite film challenge out of lansing. The collaboration and energy that bring to the table really helps drive me forward and come up with better ways to create under stress.
I’ve also learned a tremendous amount from clients. Early business owners who trusted me when my portfolio was still growing gave me opportunities to prove myself. Wedding couples who invited us into such intimate moments of their lives taught us responsibility and trust at a whole new level. Those experiences sharpened both our technical skills and our professionalism.
I wouldn’t point to one formal mentor, but I’ve learned from studying filmmakers, business owners, and creatives who built sustainable careers. Observing how others balance creativity with discipline has influenced how I approach both filmmaking and running a company.
More than anything, I’ve been fortunate to have people who believed in us before things felt stable. Support doesn’t always look flashy — sometimes it’s someone encouraging you to enter one more contest, refer one more client, or keep going when growth feels slow. Those quiet supporters have made a bigger difference than they probably realize.
Looking back, our success has been shaped by collaboration, trust, and the willingness of others to give us a chance. That’s something I don’t take lightly.
Pricing:
- ..our wedding collections average around $3,000 for a Photo OR Video collection, with most couples investing between $5,000–$7,000 for both
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.weddingpotion.com
- Instagram: @weddingpotion
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/weddingpotion
