How it began
Origins
I was born in Florida (“oh wow!”) but grew up in Minnesota in the Twin Cities area. Somewhere along the line I must have heard the northern pines calling – because at 18 I packed my bags, headed north, and paid the University of Minnesota Duluth about a hundred grand to try to figure what I wanted to be when I grow up.
It was during my years at UMD that I started making videos as a hobby. A few people took a chance on me for their wedding day videos, and fast forwarding a few years -here we are! I’m still trying to figure out what I wanna be when I grow up. In the meantime, I created 218 Visuals as a way to inspire myself – to create better videos, throw caution to the wind, and learn some new things and meet some new people. It’s been an amazing journey, with some ups and downs (if you’re self employed, or own a business, you probably know what I’m talking about lol), but I am so blessed to love what I do for a living. It’s my goal to never take that for granted.
I’m now based in the Twin Cities and still making the same great videos, now with some amazing camera gear that younger me could only dream of. I’ve learned a lot over the years and happy to say that I’m still learning a ton about videography and how to be better at what I do. Hey – are you still readin’ this?? At this point I’m just trying to fill the paragraphs up so it looks like a really long and thoughtful section on my website. It helps with SEO too, so, yeah.
Music Stuff
You can learn a lot about someone based on the music they listen to! My family is pretty much all musicians, so it’s always been a big part of my life. I play guitar (mostly acoustic nowadays) and started writing some of my own songs during that infamous 2020 lockdown (I have a few covers up on Spotify, with originals on the way!) I’m a better appreciator of music than I am a player or writer.
Some stuff I’m really into currently: Phil Collins, All American Rejects, Madison Cunningham, and random Diplo mixes. I listen to a lot of acoustic guitar players like Tommy Emmanuel, Mike Dawes, Billy Strings, and old Gipsy Kings albums. I just like well written and produced music, regardless of genre.
More Random Stuff
I’m not big into movies and shows, but when I do find something I like I will watch it 50 times. My favorite shows are The Office, The West Wing, and X-Files. I also enjoyed BBC’s ‘Sherlock’ series, but that’s basically all movies. For movies it’s probably Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Matrix, Finding Nemo (not ashamed of that haha), Big Lebowski, Napoleon Dynamite.. and anything Denzel Washington. My family owned a grand total of about 10 movies growing up, which was before streaming existed haha. Honestly, movies and shows were more exciting and memorable before streaming, but don’t get me started on that.
I really wish I could draw, but I just can’t. I’m terrible. Instead I have useless skills, like spinning a pencil around my thumb. For some reason that’s not as impressive as it was back in 7th grade?
I play some video games too. I would destroy you in most original Nintendo 64 games (Mario Kart, Smash Bros, Goldeneye), and you would destroy me in any other video game, probably.
I would also say I’m more of a cat person.* I saved this for the end in hopes that nobody actually reads it.
*I like dogs too don’t worry
Videography Style
My videography style is somewhat simple and personal – much like the 218 area of Northern Minnesota. I believe sometimes the simplest videos are the most meaningful, when done with care. That’s why I have a minimalist approach to gear and production – I like to let the moments speak for themselves. The greatest compliments I get are when people say that it felt like they were right there in that moment again.
I’d love to get to know YOU! Reach out and tell me about yourself, and how we can work together. If you’d like to know anything else about me, just ask! Peace! 
I believe sometimes the simplest videos are the most meaningful, when done with care.