The 81 Creative

Born and raised in West Virginia’s Mid-Ohio Valley, I’ve always had a passion for storytelling through visual content. My journey in sports marketing began at West Virginia University, where I originally planned to study photography but quickly fell in love with sports media. From my first experience on the sidelines of Milan Puskar Stadium and the baselines of the WVU Coliseum, I knew that I was hooked. That unexplainable feeling of capturing live-action moments at high school, college, and professional games drives me to this day.

Through my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with athletes and coaches from youth programs to high school state title winners to rising stars in the NBA, building relationships and winning multiple awards for my work. It’s hard to put my career in a short elevator pitch simply because it hasn’t been linear. I’ve worked on production crews as a PA, camera operator and AC for documentary projects, crafted marketing plans and helped execute them on various sites around the country, have planted myself in communities to tell written stories of teams and athletes, worked baselines and sidelines as a photographer or videographer for various teams, and have worked into the twilight hours designing newspapers or leading production for nationally-circulated magazines.

In late 2022, I founded 81 Creative to fill a clear need for professional sports marketing services in West Virginia, Maryland, and the DMV. Further, with the explosive rise of NIL opportunities, I saw an a way to help athletes not only get recruited but also navigate the complex world of branding and sponsorships at the college level, particularly for Division I athletes. And while I established 81 Creative with a regional lens, the growth of the brand has allowed me to expand my offerings nation-wide.

So what sets 81 Creative apart from the plethora of other sports photographers and videographers in our region or around the country? Simply, my blend of professional experience, formal education, and a genuine commitment to helping athletes succeed. I understand what college programs are looking for, both on and off the field, and how to craft the perfect marketing content to elevate an athlete’s profile. My mission is to ensure that deserving athletes have the tools they need to excel, with services that are honest, transparent, and tailored to their individual needs.