Life & Work with Brandon Robison

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Robison. 

Hi Brandon, 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.
I guess I’ve always dabbled in video work. First, in making dumb videos with friends in high school, back in the early 2000s. Back then, I was usually the idea guy or the one in front of the camera. I was sometimes the one behind the camera, but I always relied on my more tech savvy friends to do the editing. Later on, I settled into a career in youth ministry, and would often edit short highlight videos for events we’d put on. Nothing serious. All my videos were in service to my career in youth ministry, so I never considered doing video work full-time. Over the years I had several seemly random job offers to do video production, but I always declined. I enjoyed making videos, it wasn’t my passion. In 2015 I was really struggling to make ends meet. I had always made my small salary work by having a rotating cast of roommates, but as my roommates got younger and younger and I got older and older I came to the realization that if I ever wanted to start a family, I needed to do something different with my life. So, in August of 2015, I made the difficult decision to step away from youth ministry and venture off on my own. My first thought was to pursue a career in video work, but since I had surrounded myself with so many talented videographer and photographer friends, I was scared of trying, failing, and embarrassing myself publicly. 

I ended up starting a small web design business with the intent to serve small businesses. I came up with the name Big Win Media, because of my clients’ consistent positive comments about my work. The quality of my websites exceeded the price I charged. The name “Big Win” really came from my desire to always exceed expectations. I designed websites for about a year before I decided that I really didn’t enjoy it. After that, it took about three years of waiting tables before a friend of mine, who owned a small car detailing shop called Alien Car Care, offered to hire me to manage its technology, website, and social media content. I took the job the week before Covid shut down the nation, but months later, when I could return to work, I quickly saw how video could help Alien Car Care’s website and social media presence. 

It’s wasn’t long before other small businesses would call in and ask what production company made their videos. Not knowing it was their own “tech/web/social media/detail inspection/part-time HR guy “creating their videos. Eventually, I started taking on video projects for other small businesses on the side and within a year I had enough of my own equipment and demand to branch out on my own. So, in late March 2021, I announced to my Facebook and Instagram friends that I was starting my own small video production company and it’s been a whirlwind ever since. 

I often reflect on how far my business would be along now if I hadn’t worried about what other people thought back in 2015 and just started doing what I love. I hope others reading this draw inspiration to start doing what they love, even if they have to start part-time and even if they might be terrible when they first start. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It certainly has been challenging, but compared to the difficulties I could have encountered I would say it’s gone pretty smoothly since deciding to go full-time. Work has fallen into my lap. I’m making more money than I ever have, (though the bar was admittedly set pretty low) and I feel tremendous satisfaction in creating that work that I do. I’m proud of how far I’ve come in such little time, but I have to acknowledge how my current feeling of success has colored my recollection of my journey here. There has, and I think always will be, moments when I feel like a failure, and moments where I’m on top of the world. It’s easy to give into imposter syndrome, and look at what other more experienced people are doing and feel like an amateur, but indulging in that thought process for too long can only hold you back from progress. The important thing for me is to always identify the ways I feel like I’ve fallen short and learn the skills I need or invest in the equipment need to solve that problem for the next project. I know as long as I get a little bit better every time, I try I will eventually get where I want to be. Too many people, look at the chasm between where they are and where they want to be, rather than identifying the next small thing they can improve upon next. 

Another challenge has been, getting all the equipment I need. I know a lot of videographers start off with super basic gear and slowly work their way up to better gear, but most start in their early twenties. I started at thirty-eight, so I felt super behind. Early on I knew the quality of work I wanted to put out, which required considerable investment. Four capable cameras, six lenses, a computer capable of handling multiple streams of 4k 60 footage, tripods, monopods, a gimbal, a drone, lapel mics, shotgun mics, audio recorders, along with host of other equipment. This has required investing a considerable percentage of the money I made back into the business. I think every dollar I made while doing videos on the side was spent on equipment. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a videographer that specializes in creating wedding films and compelling video content for small businesses. I’m also working my way into creating more high-end real estate videos. What sets me apart from others in my profession? Well, let me start by prefacing that there are tons of talented people in my profession that have their own unique take on wedding films and commercial video work. I take inspiration from and look up to many other Michigan-based videographers. There is such a demand for video work I prefer to collaborate and make as many friends as I can along the way. 

With that being said, I really care deeply for people. In a way I think is rare. It’s almost a cliche now, but it’s true that every good videographer is a storyteller. We just communicate with different tools than an author for instance. Behind every story is a person, and behind every person is a story, so it helps in what I do to recognize how interconnected the video I’m creating is with the person I’m creating it for. That’s sounds logical, and it is, but thankfully the logic is second to my natural inclination to care for those around me. When I create a video for a small business, I can’t help but root for them. When I spend time listening to small business owners talk about their craft, I almost always come away realizing the work they do is extraordinary when at first glance it may appear to many as ordinary. My job is to find that incredible thing each person infuses into their craft and share it with the world. One of my favorite comments I’ve heard from multiple small business owners is that they got “chills” watching the video I made for them. Videos about painting homes and removing dents from cars. 

I feel the same way about every couple that trusts me to film their wedding. I can’t help but truly care for them and root for their marriage. It sounds silly, but I often get emotional while editing a wedding film. I always strived to be moved by my work, because I know if I am, the person I’m making it for will be. For me, each video is something I take pride in, not just another paycheck. 

I also think I strike a unique balance between someone who likes to have fun and someone who cherishes the deep sentimental things. It’s easy err on one side or the other. Someone who’s sentimental, but doesn’t know how to take a joke ends up being a bit of a downer. Conversely, others who are only ever light-hearted rarely inspire change in others. It’s hard to appreciate a crescendo without first silence. I hope that understanding is felt in my work, especially in my wedding films. I always strive to leave the viewer in tears one moment and pumping they’re first the next. I also hope it’s felt in my interactions with clients. I love to have fun and goof off on wedding days, but also be a calming reassuring voice when I need to be. 

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Well, it would be wise to start by thanking my amazing wife Catherine, for not trying to collect my life insurance after all the equipment I bought the past couple years. She’s had to put a ton of trust in me to invest what I have to do what I love. I’ve drug her along as my second shooting on most of my weddings and she brings a sense of fun and calm that’s hard to find. She’s a reservoir of great ideas, a relentlessly hard worker, an incredible mother, and I like the way she walks. My friend Phil Gestwicki, owner of Alien Car Care in Galesburg Michigan, for being the first person to actually pay me to create videos. You wanted me to use your Go Pro to create videos, but I still love you. Your technical illiteracy was the catalyst for me investing in my own equipment. Thanks for believing in me. 

My fellow wedding filmmaker Lane Gordon, who took a chance on me to second shoot for him before seeing any of my work and for being my “go-to bro” for idea bouncing. Working alongside you have been invaluable and it’s always a good time. 

My old friend Ben Roberts, creator and host of the award-winning web series Design vs Build. For seeing enough potential in me to include me on episodes. The little time I’ve spent working with the crew has been formational. 

My parents for constantly sacrificing to help me get where I am. I don’t know where I’d be without all the countless way, they’ve supported me. 

All the legit wedding videographers and photographers I’ve work with this past year. You know who you are. 

YouTube for being a viable alternative to a $100,000 education. Haha! 

Finally, everyone who has entrusted me with telling their story. I’m so grateful for every single person that has paid me to do what I love. You all mean a tremendous amount to me. 

Contact Info:

• Website: http://bigwin.media
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigwin.media
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigwin.media