Meet Dan Quigley | Video Producer & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dan Quigley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dan, what do you attribute your success to?
The key to my success has always been a combination of developing meaningful professional relationships and prioritizing mental and physical health for myself and those around me.

When I first started working professionally, my main focus was on technical skills. I believed that being proficient in my craft and working hard would automatically lead to success. While technical expertise did help establish my reputation as capable and reliable, I discovered that the greatest success stemmed from the overall experience I could create for clients and collaborators. This included not just the final deliverable, but also the process of doing business and creating together.

Initially, my emphasis on technical perfection led to stress over project details that didn’t always serve my clients’ needs. The relentless pursuit of the highest quality product took a toll on my mental and physical health. I found greater success when I shifted my focus from self-imposed technical standards to engaging and collaborating with others. By incorporating the ideas and expectations of clients and team members, I achieved more holistic project goals.

I believe people choose to work with me because I’ve learned to meet them where they are, actively listen to their goals, and clearly communicate and guide them towards achieving those goals. This approach has allowed me to create meaningful professional relationships and maintain a healthy balance between technical excellence and overall well-being.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Balancing my career with my passions has been one of my biggest challenges. Everyone has an idealized version of what their career will be until they are actually out there doing it. On one hand, I want to fully express myself through my art and creations; on the other, I have to navigate a society built on capitalism where supporting yourself requires providing valuable products or services. For a long time, I tried to combine the two, but I found that it doesn’t work for me. Each project has its own limitations, and in the world of corporate video, there are many. Trying to achieve Hollywood level production value on a corporate video is just setting yourself up for disappointment. While I still strive for the highest quality possible, I recognize the limitations of each project and work within what is available. This lesson also applies to independent film work—what matters most is the story you are telling and the emotions you can evoke in your audience.

What sets me apart is my ability to set the right goals for the right environment. When I’m working on corporate videos, my primary goal is client satisfaction. I find joy in completing projects on time and under budget, developing people skills and relationships, and making a living. This secure foundation allows me to pursue my true passions, where I can create freely without worrying about performance metrics. By separating these two spheres, I can grow and develop professionally while still having space for pure creativity.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite place in the city is the East Side BeltLine Trail. I would hardly ever drive if I didn’t have to, and the BeltLine is an essential pedestrian pathway that connects so many great locations in Atlanta. Some of my favorite places to eat as a vegan include Gu’s Dumplings and Pho Nam in Krog St. Market, pizza at Lloyd’s, Bartaco, Manuel’s Tavern, and Bell Street Burritos. When I grab drinks, it’s usually at Church, Mary’s, Estoria, or Victory. I love getting coffee and pastries at Revolution Doughnuts, Finca to Filter, and Little Tart. This is why I have no money—there are just too many great places in this area!

For activities, I love walking or riding the BeltLine. You can reach the Old Fourth Ward Skate Park, Ponce City Market, and Piedmont Park, and enjoy all the people-watching you could ask for. Shoutout to Kevin for bringing joy to everyone with his rollerblading, pop songs, and happy attitude. I also love going to the Plaza and Videodrome for my cinema fix. One last place to mention is Richard’s Variety Store and Atlanta Photography Group’s gallery that’s just north of Piedmont Park. Both are a blast to visit.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe shoutouts to two people who had a major influence on the trajectory of my career.

The first is retired video producer Hal S. Pope. Hal started producing corporate videos in the 80s and ran his own small business for several decades. When I met him, he was in the process of sunsetting his business and moving closer to retirement. I was fortunate enough to be involved in several of his video projects as a videographer and editor. Before we really worked together, Hal would invite me to a local neighborhood restaurant where we’d talk life and business over beers. These conversations were invaluable, allowing me to pick his brain and learn from his many years of experience. At the time, I was well-versed in the technical skills of video production but knew little about setting rates, acquiring and managing clients, running a business, or conceptualizing video ideas.

When I resigned from a video editing job that I had outgrown, Hal created client jobs out of thin air to help me generate revenue. Over the years, through our friendship and professional relationship, Hal taught me—both directly and indirectly—how to run a video production business and transition from being a videographer to a video producer.

Another person I have to give a shoutout to is Dr. Danna Gibson, Department Chair of Communication at Columbus State University. Dr. Gibson saw potential in me that I couldn’t see in myself and put me in situations where I could apply my skills and become part of something greater. The first instance was for a class project where she formed a video production crew, including myself and other students, to produce a short documentary on the raising of the C.S.S. Jackson. Each group member brought distinct and necessary skills to the project, which helped me discover my unique talents compared to the others.

When I left my editing job, I was working a few freelance gigs with Hal, but it wasn’t enough to pay all my bills, and I still had much to learn about running my own business. Several years after graduating from Columbus State University, I received a phone call from the principal of Brookstone High School. Dr. Gibson had recommended me for a teaching job where I would teach film, photography, and various digital arts. Her recommendation helped me believe I was capable of more than I had previously thought. If Dr. Gibson believed I could do it, then certainly I could. My time at Brookstone proved to be a significant growth opportunity for me both professionally and personally. I’m forever grateful to Dr. Gibson for believing in me and encouraging me to reach higher.

Website: www.danquigleystudio.com

Instagram: instagram.com/quigglevision

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-quigley-b6048143/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100062221928254

Image Credits
Justin Harris