Today we’d like to introduce you to Caleb Kiesel.
Hi Caleb, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Going through middle school around 2018, I picked up a new hobby making YouTube videos with my friends and documenting family trips. This was around the time becoming a YouTuber had become the #1 dream job for kids, but I quickly realized my favorite part of the process wasn’t being on camera—it was everything behind it. Setting up the camera, figuring out shots, and especially editing.
I remember thinking, if everyone wants to be a YouTuber, there’s going to be a huge need for videographers and editors. I saw that as an opportunity—a way to be part of that world without competing to be the face of it, while doing the part I genuinely enjoyed most.
Around that time, I became a huge fan of Danny Duncan. Beyond the comedy, I admired the pacing, filming style, and editing of his videos. His content heavily influenced how I approached my own work, and eventually I set a goal for myself: I wanted to work for Danny Duncan.
I started reaching out to people in his circle, building relationships however I could, and eventually that persistence paid off. By 17 years old, while still balancing high school, I became Danny Duncan’s photographer while he was in town.
That experience completely changed my mindset. It gave me proof that if I was willing to work hard enough, big opportunities weren’t out of reach. It also played a major role in my decision not to go to college. My mindset was simple: if I could land a job working for one of the biggest internet creators in the world while still in high school, what could happen if I put 100% of my time into this after graduation?
At the same time, there was another dream I had been chasing: sports.
I spent my Friday nights in high school on the sidelines filming any football game I could get access to. I loved the energy of being close to the action, and deep down, I wanted to eventually film in the NFL. After graduation, I wasn’t sure how to get closer to that world without taking the traditional college route, but an opportunity came up to become an unpaid intern with USF football, which allowed me to film home games and gain college-level experience.
I thought what I was filming on the field would be what took me to the next level—but looking back, it was actually who I met on the sidelines.
Around that same time, I was no longer working with Danny Duncan, but I had built valuable experience, relationships, and confidence from that chapter. I used that momentum to continue networking and eventually connected with DrewFilmedIt, one of the biggest music video directors at the time, whose work I had admired for years. He had worked with many of the artists I grew up listening to, so that opportunity felt surreal.
Drew saw something in me, and we ended up working together on music videos for artists like Future, Lil Baby, Bossman Dlow, NLE Choppa, Hotboii, Kidd G and others. That work also led to shooting album covers, concert content, and gave me exposure to an entirely different level of production. But one thing I never wanted to do was box myself into one lane creatively. While a lot of that early work was in rap and hip-hop, I found opportunities in country music as well, working with artists like Jelly Roll, Riley Green, and Chase Rice. As my faith grew, I also stepped into the Christian music world, which became especially meaningful to me.
One artist I had really hoped to work with was Forrest Frank, who had become one of the biggest names in Christian music. Through relationship-building and persistence, that eventually happened. I got to shoot multiple shows for him, including his biggest show ever at the Houston Rodeo in front of 70,000 people. I recently had the opportunity to go on tour with Josiah Queen, creating content on the road and experiencing another side of the music industry entirely.
Working across rap, country, Christian music, live events, tours, and artist branding gave me a whole new sense of confidence in what was possible.
Meanwhile, back in the sports world, the biggest thing that came from my time with USF football wasn’t the footage I captured—it was meeting NFL wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Fresh off winning a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs, we connected on the sidelines, he liked my work, and eventually asked me to become his go-to creative.
Because he’s extremely passionate about fashion, the work went far beyond football content. That relationship led to opportunities like shooting Paris Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, and networking with other NFL players. Every year, he hosts a fashion show in his hometown in the Tampa/St. Pete area, which I’ve had the opportunity to shoot as well.
That relationship opened even more doors, leading to work with other NFL stars like Deshaun Watson and top college football prospects like Kewan Lacy.
Looking back, social media and relationship-building have completely changed my life. What started as a kid making YouTube videos turned into opportunities to work with major influencers, artists, athletes, and brands across multiple industries.
Being able to help build the brands and platforms of high-level talent through creative work is something I don’t take for granted
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My age was a struggle for a while since I was doing a lot of this before I was 18. Then once I turned 18 some things required me to be 21. Being 22 now, I’m finally passed that.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a videographer and photographer for high profile clients/celebrities. Artists, athletes (NFL/College football) and influencers. Some of my work that I’m most proud of are the music videos and album covers listed below as well as shooting at Paris Fashion Week.
Notable Music Videos:
“Hard to Handle” – Young Scooter ft. Future. Shot by DrewFilmedIt and I
“Imma be fine” – Hotboii
Shot by DrewFilmedIt and I
“Red Clay” – Kidd G
Shot by DrewFilmedIt and I
Notable Album Covers:
“PJ” – Bossman Dlow ft. Lil Baby
“Imma be fine” – Hotboii
“Red Clay” – Kidd G
“Stop Runnin” – 1900 Rugrat
What were you like growing up?
I enjoyed playing basketball and golf as a kid but as early as middle school is when I started filming so in high school I never played sports, I filmed them instead. I was always a big football fan though which is why I enjoy working with those athletes.
Contact Info:
