Editor’s Note: Up and Comers is our space to profile the journeys of inspirational humans. In this interview with Morgan Ryerson, Davis Stelzer describes what it’s like to capture the spirit and character of UNI men’s basketball players and fans in video stories, how he started his own production company while in college and how he sees the future of his enterprise.
By Morgan Ryerson
Cedar Falls News Hub (CFNH): Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you end up at UNI, how did you pick your major, and what are your future plans or desires after college?
Davis Stelzer (DS): My name is Davis Stelzer and I am currently a senior at the University of Northern Iowa with a major in Digital Media Production. I transferred to UNI after a year at Kirkwood Community College in 2023, and have been here since. I expedited my time in college by filling my schedule up with as many classes as possible, and will be obtaining my bachelor’s degree in just three years. I plan on continuing to pursue video production post-college.
CFNH: What inspired you to get into videography and start your own videography business?
DS: I started my videography journey when Covid-19 hit. I would endlessly scroll on TikTok and stumbled across a “day in the life” of an NFL videographer. This video inspired me to pick up my first ever camera, and from there, I started going to as many sporting events and capturing as much video footage as I could. After my senior year of high school, I decided to officially start my video production business called DVS Media. DVS doesn’t stand for anything, it’s just Davis without the A and the I. I began working for local gyms, athletes, and small businesses.
CFNH: How do you balance running your own videography business with being a student at UNI?
DS: Balancing a business while being in school can be tough, especially when taking 18 credits each semester. It’s important to schedule out each day and make sure you keep track of everything on a calendar, that way you don’t miss any deadlines. It’s also beneficial to make and keep as many connections you make with professors and peers, you never know when an opportunity or helping hand will come about.
CFNH: Was there a specific moment or project that made you feel like you had truly “made it” as a videographer?
DS: In the fall of 2023, a former UNI men’s basketball player and current Milwaukee Bucks guard, AJ Green, reached out to me about filming his wedding. This not only shocked me but made me feel like I had “made it” in the video production business. It was truly a day that I will never forget, and I can’t thank AJ and his wife Kaylee for trusting me with such an important moment in their lives.
CFNH: What does your role with the UNI men’s basketball team entail and how did that opportunity come about?
DS: After filming and editing videos for Kirkwood Community College athletics from 2022 to 2023, I had gained the attention of a UNI video creator named Ryan Schmitt, who was currently working with the UNI men’s basketball team at the time. Ryan was leaving for a new opportunity at Appalachian State, and had mentioned my name to Eric Braley, the co-founder of Around the Corner Productions and head coach Ben Jacobson. After several meetings with the team and head coach, I was officially hired for the 2023-2024 season. My job is to create and produce short and long form highlight reels, engaging content, and action photos for the UNI men’s basketball social media accounts. I’m also in charge of making sure each athlete has photos and video content for their own personal pages, as well as anything related to their NIL (name, image, and likeness by the NCAA) deals.
CFNH: What’s the most memorable or impactful moment you’ve captured while working with the team?
DS: I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to travel with the team with all expenses paid. Spending a week in the Bahamas, Florida, and Las Vegas have to be my favorite trips with the team. Each game is just as important as the next, so I make sure I stay professional while enjoying the free time we get in these amazing locations.
CFNH: How do you approach capturing the energy and intensity of a live basketball game on film?
DS: For me, it’s all about capturing the raw emotion of the arena, especially when it comes to basketball. Being right there on the court, up close to the action, I focus on locking in the intensity of the players—their passion, their focus, and those split-second reactions that tell the story of the game.
At the same time, I’m always aware of the atmosphere: the roar of the crowd, the bass from the music shaking the stands, and the energy that pulses through the building with every big play. That’s what makes it special. It’s not just about filming highlights; it’s about bringing people into that moment, making them feel like they’re standing courtside right there with us.
When I’m behind the camera, I’m thinking about how I can translate that energy into visuals—whether it’s a slow-motion shot of a player locking eyes with his defender or a wide pan of the student section going crazy after a clutch three-pointer. Every shot, every angle, it’s all about telling the story of that moment in a way that sticks with you long after the final buzzer. And when I go back to edit, I’m thinking the same way. How do I pace the cuts to match the adrenaline? How do I sync the crowd reactions with the music to make it hit just right? That’s the challenge I love the most—taking all those little pieces and building something that captures not just the game, but the feeling of being there.
CFNH: How has working with the basketball team helped you grow as a videographer?
DS: Working with the basketball team has pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect—both technically and creatively. Being around the program so much, I’ve learned how to adapt on the fly. Games are unpredictable, and you have to be ready for anything—whether it’s capturing a last-second game-winner or adjusting to tricky lighting in different arenas. It’s taught me how to think fast, make quick decisions behind the camera, and trust my instincts. It’s also helped me develop a sharper eye for storytelling.
Basketball isn’t just about the highlights; it’s about the emotion, the grind, and the connection between the players and fans. Working so closely with the team has shown me how to find those little moments that really tell the story—whether it’s a quiet pregame routine, a coach’s intensity during a timeout, or the celebration after a big win.
CFNH: What are some key lessons you’ve learned about entrepreneurship while running your own videography company?
DS: A lot, honestly. Running my own videography company has taught me lessons I probably wouldn’t have learned if I was just freelancing or working for someone else. It sounds cliché, but building strong relationships has been the backbone of my business. Whether it’s with clients, athletes, coaches, or other creatives, the connections I’ve made have led to more opportunities than any marketing strategy could.
People want to work with someone they trust and vibe with, and delivering consistently builds that trust over time. When I first started, I obsessed over making every project perfect, which sometimes slowed me down. Now, I’ve realized being consistent—delivering quality work on time, every time—matters more. Clients appreciate reliability. It builds your reputation as someone who gets things done, and that reputation brings repeat business.
This took a while to learn. When you’re starting out, it’s easy to undercharge just to get gigs. But I’ve learned to value the skills I bring and the time I put into each project. Knowing your worth and setting boundaries is important for long-term sustainability. Quality clients respect that.
CFNH: What advice would you give to student entrepreneurs looking to start their own business while still in school?
DS: You’ll never feel 100% ready to launch something. Don’t wait for the “perfect time” or to have everything figured out. Start small, start messy—just start.
You’ll learn more by doing than by waiting. Being a student gives you access to resources you might not realize—professors with real-world experience, free equipment, studio spaces, networking events, and even potential clients on campus. Take full advantage of those opportunities while you have them.
Balancing classes, projects, and running a business can get overwhelming fast. Have a system to stay organized—whether it’s a planner, a calendar app, or sticky notes all over your desk (been there). Prioritize what’s important each day, and be realistic with your time. When you’re starting out, it’s easy to underprice your work because you’re a student. But your time and skills have value. Be fair to yourself. Charging what you’re worth helps people take you seriously—and it sets the tone for the kind of clients you attract.
CFNH: What are your long-term goals for your business? Are you thinking about expanding into other areas of media or film production?
DS: One of my big goals is to get into travel videography. I love the idea of combining cinematic visuals with authentic storytelling in different places around the world. Capturing different cultures, landscapes, and people, and telling their stories in a way that feels personal and impactful—that’s something I’ve always been drawn to.
Whether it’s creating short films about unique destinations, documenting experiences, or even working with brands in the travel space, I see a lot of potential there. I want to create content that makes people feel like they’re right there in the moment. I’ve also thought about leaning more into documentary-style projects, both in sports and beyond. I love telling real stories about real people—the grind, the struggles, the victories. Whether it’s a deep dive into an athlete’s journey or a documentary about a community or a cause, I want to use my skills to shed light on stories that matter.
CFNH: How do you stay inspired and keep your work fresh and engaging?
DS: I spend a lot of time watching videos and films that have nothing to do with sports. Travel videos, documentaries, music videos, short films—there’s so much creativity out there. Seeing how other creators frame a shot, use light, or tell a story in a totally different context sparks new ideas I can bring back into my work. Sometimes it’s a color grade, other times it’s a transition or a pacing choice that makes me go, “Yeah, I need to try something like that.”
I’m always experimenting, whether it’s new camera movements, different lenses, or editing styles. Even small tweaks, like changing up frame rates or playing with natural light instead of always relying on artificial setups, can make a huge difference. It keeps things interesting for me and helps me push my own boundaries.
CFNH: How do you balance artistic expression with meeting a client’s specific needs or expectations?
DS: It starts with having a clear conversation upfront. Before I even pick up a camera, I ask a lot of questions:
What’s your goal with this video?
Who’s your audience?
What kind of vibe or emotion are you going for?
Understanding their vision helps me shape mine. I try to get on the same page early so there are no surprises later.
Sometimes clients have a specific idea, but they don’t realize there’s a better or more creative way to achieve the result they want. Instead of just saying, “No, we should do it this way,” I’ll explain the why behind my suggestions. For example:
“If we use more slow motion here, it’s going to give the viewer time to feel the emotion of the moment, which connects better with your audience.”
That way, they see you as a collaborator, not just someone who’s pushing their own agenda.
CFNH: Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently when starting your business?
DS: At the start, I was so focused on just getting clients and booking gigs that I didn’t spend enough time thinking about the brand—the look, the feel, the messaging.
If I could do it over, I’d take the time to create a consistent brand identity right away. Logo, color scheme, tone of voice, all that. It makes you look more professional from the jump and helps attract the kind of clients you actually want. Early on, I was seriously undercharging because I didn’t want to scare people off or I thought, “I’m still learning.”
But the reality is, if you put in the time, the skill is there—and people will pay for quality. Underpricing not only undervalues your work but can lead to burnout because you’re doing way more for way less. I would’ve set clearer rates and stuck to them.