Today we’d like to introduce you to RJ Wieseler
Hi RJ, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
After graduating in 2022, I bought my first camera for gym content and quickly found a love for shooting sports. I started by capturing moments with friends and even covered my old high school baseball team, which made me want to keep going. That summer, after upgrading my camera with a quality lens, I started posting my work online and reached out to people like Ben Stelter at MSU for advice. Ben’s support and an invite to film an MSU basketball game opened a huge door for me.
At the game, I met Assistant Coach Karson Arrenholz, who was not only welcoming but also made sure I felt comfortable around the team and staff. He introduced me to people, encouraged me to keep showing up, and really helped me find my place in the Mankato sports community. Word spread about my work, and Karson spoke to Lizzy Vetter, the assistant coach for MSU women’s soccer, about me. In 2024, Lizzy reached out and asked if I’d be interested in filming for the team. I packed up and started looking for an apartment in Mankato, knowing this was a great opportunity.
The soccer team made it all the way to the national championship, and now, with basketball still going strong, I feel incredibly lucky to be part of it all. I can’t thank Ben, Karson, and Lizzy enough for bringing me in and welcoming me to the teams, and I’m truly grateful to all the players for treating me like family. Most importantly, I want to thank my own family for always supporting me and pushing me to be the best version of myself.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of my biggest struggles has been finding my place, both in photography and in life. When I first started, I wasn’t sure what I really wanted to shoot. I experimented with gym content, portraits, and different types of photography, but nothing felt quite right. It wasn’t until I started shooting sports that I truly found my passion. Capturing the energy, emotion, and moments that define a game made me realize this was what I wanted to do.
Moving to a new city was another challenge. Leaving my hometown and starting fresh in Mankato wasn’t easy—I didn’t know many people at first, and adjusting to a new environment took time. But through photography, I was able to connect with athletes, coaches, and other creatives who welcomed me in. It made me realize that putting myself out there and trusting the process was worth it.
Photography is something I’ve had to learn on my own, and there were plenty of times I doubted myself. Figuring out the right angles, settings, and editing styles took a lot of trial and error. But every challenge helped me grow, and now I can confidently say I’ve found my place in sports photography.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a sports photographer and videographer specializing in capturing high-energy moments in basketball and soccer. I’m known for creating dynamic, emotional content that hypes up teams and fans. What sets me apart is my ability to connect with players and coaches, making my work feel personal and authentic. I’m most proud of the journey that brought me here—starting from filming at my local gym to now working with championship-winning teams.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Two apps that have helped me are SCRL, which is great for creating clean and professional layouts, and Gondola, which helps track and showcase my work. A podcast that’s been really helpful is the 505 Podcast with Brayden Figueroa, which shares valuable insights on content creation, editing, and building a career in this industry. It’s been a great resource for improving my skills and learning from other creators.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rjwieseler.com
- Instagram: Shotbyrj_
