Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha And Jason Lobdell.
Hi Samantha and Jason , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Jason and I started Knightwing Media back in September of 2016 in Ann Arbor. Before that, we both worked in zoology for about five years, mostly with big cats and wolves, which took us all over the U.S. and even to South Africa. Photography was always something we loved, but it was more of a side passion at that time. After years of working in different locations and hardly ever together, we finally decided it was time to give up one passion to fully pursue another. Our cameras.
We had already done some weddings here and there, so we knew the joy that came from capturing moments for people. Around that time, real estate photography and videography were just starting to become popular, and we decided to jump in with everything we had. We worked endlessly to save up money for our gear and officially launched Knightwing Media. Looking back, we owe everything to the people who believed in us from day one. Jack Brown, who sat down with us for our very first meeting, guided us through what the industry expected. Our first clients, Don Wurtzel and Sierra Imwalle, trusted us when we were brand new, and still use us to this day. And all of our Howard Hanna agents who supported us early on. We are so thankful for them. Without those people, we never would have made it.
What started with just the two of us has now grown into a team of 11 incredibly talented creatives. And I don’t even like to just call it a team, it’s truly a family. Each person brings their own amazing gifts to the table. Our Metro Detroit/Ann Arbor crew: Andrew Haseltine, Adam McKenley, and Nick Perry. Our Mid-Michigan crew: Chelsea Petoskey, Dale Bartosz, Chase Grant, Campbell Holland, Brandon Schadler, and my husband Jason Lobdell. Then there’s our full-time editor, Adam Ford, who brings the Knightwing vision to life in every video. We couldn’t do what we do without each of them.
In 2018, we expanded into Northern Michigan, and that’s when things really took off. Andrew has been our right-hand guy in Metro Detroit/Ann Arbor his photography is just out of this world and he’s grown that branch into what it is today. Dale has been the spark in Northern Michigan that pushed us to new levels. Each person has played such a huge role in where Knightwing is now.
Nine years later, we’re not just real estate photographers and videographers anymore. We’ve become content creators, commercial filmmakers, and brand storytellers. We absolutely love working with small businesses and helping them share their stories. But at the heart of it all, what makes Knightwing so special is our people our clients and our family of creatives. Without them, there’s no way we’d be where we are today, and for that, we’re endlessly grateful.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not always. Like any business, we’ve had our share of challenges. Working every day with your spouse can be both a blessing and a test. It takes balance and patience. Finding the right people to trust with our vision has also been huge. And of course, running your own business means constantly juggling the ins and outs not just for yourself, but also being the backbone for so many other businesses that depend on you.
Another challenge has been standing out in a state full of incredibly talented creatives. I could name twenty amazing creators right off the top of my head. But instead of seeing that as competition, we’ve always seen it as community. The amazing thing about this industry is that we all have different strengths. What one person struggles with, someone else can step in and help with, and vice versa. That’s true not just in the creative community, but within our own team as well. Each one of our team members has unique strengths, and together that makes us such a strong asset to our clients. That willingness to share, support, and lift each other up is what makes the work so rewarding.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
About Our Work
At Knightwing, we specialize in photography and videography with a strong focus on real estate, but our work has grown far beyond that. Today, we’re also content creators, commercial cinematographers, and brand storytellers. We help businesses big and small share their story through powerful visuals, whether that’s showing off a new listing, creating cinematic brand films, or developing social content that connects with their audience.
What We’re Known For
I think what people know us for is the level of care and creativity we bring to everything we do. We don’t just show up with a camera we put thought into the details, the brand, the story, and the people behind it. Clients trust us not only for our quality but also for how reliable and flexible we are. We’ve built a reputation for truly listening to our clients and delivering content that feels like them.
What We’re Most Proud Of
I’m most proud of the team we’ve built. Each person has their own strengths, and together we’re able to cover such a wide range of creative needs for our clients. That collaboration is what makes us strong. We’re not just coworkers, we’re a family. Seeing our team members grow into their own talents while lifting each other up is one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
What Sets Us Apart
What really sets Knightwing apart is our people and our heart. We’ve always believed there’s plenty of work to go around, so we don’t approach this business from a place of competition we approach it from a place of community. That shows up in the way we treat our clients and the way we treat each other. Our team isn’t just talented they’re passionate about creating something meaningful, and that’s what makes the “Knightwing experience” different.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest piece of advice is: don’t be afraid to start small and just go for it. When Jason and I started, we didn’t have all the fancy gear or everything figured out. We just had passion, determination, and a willingness to learn as we went. It’s easy to look around and feel like everyone else has it all together, but the truth is, every business you admire once started where you are right now.
Surround yourself with good people, clients who believe in you, mentors who guide you, and teammates who lift you up. Finding the right circle makes all the difference. Also, don’t be afraid to share. In this creative world, everyone has different strengths. What you struggle with, someone else may be great at, and what they need help with, you might be the one to step in. That spirit of collaboration, not competition, is what keeps this industry alive.
And finally, be patient and trust the process. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, but if you stay consistent, treat people well, and keep your passion front and center, it will come together. Looking back, I wish I knew that it’s okay not to have it all figured out in the beginning. You learn by doing, and every step forward is progress.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://knightwingmedia.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knightwingmedia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knightwingmedia
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KnightwingMedia
