Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Larson
Hi Sam, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been creating content in one form or another for as long as I can remember—shooting GoPro edits, contributing photos to my student newspaper, and even helping produce the student news in high school. All that early creative experience took on new meaning when I began working in construction management. While developing new apartment buildings throughout the Twin Cities, I realized just how much goes into bringing a building to life. I fell in love with architecture, interior design, and the entire development and construction process. It’s an industry full of incredible people, and I wanted to highlight their efforts in a more creative and engaging way.
During the COVID lockdowns, I decided to turn that vision into reality and launched Studio 31G. With plenty of time to spare in my home office, I recognized that my background in construction and real estate, combined with my media and web development experience, gave me a unique perspective on how to tell a building’s story—and I knew I had to act on it. I quickly became obsessed with capturing the craftsmanship, design details, and sheer hard work that go into creating a vibrant space.
Today, Studio 31G specializes in creating high-caliber content for AEC professionals at every stage of a project. Whether it’s helping clients attract new business, build their brand identity, or simply celebrate a job well done, I take pride in producing work that makes an impact. It’s incredibly rewarding to showcase the people, processes, and designs that shape our built environment. Moving forward, I’m excited to continue pushing the boundaries of digital storytelling—exploring new video techniques, helping more companies, and using innovative technologies to shine a spotlight on the remarkable work happening in the AEC world.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like any creative business, there’s always a learning curve. When I started Studio 31G, I had some hobbyist experience, but no formal training in film or video production. I just had a passion for storytelling and a vision for how I wanted to showcase the building industry. So, I turned to YouTube University and put in countless hours of trial and error, learning everything from camera/drone techniques to editing workflows. It was a lot of late nights, but figuring things out hands-on ultimately helped me develop my own style and approach.
Beyond the technical side, running a service-based business comes with its own challenges. There’s always the balance of keeping projects moving, maintaining high creative standards, and making sure clients get exactly what they need. But like any trade, you get through it with experience, persistence, and refining your systems with every new project. Over time, I’ve learned how to navigate those challenges, build strong client relationships, and refine my processes to create work that not only looks great but also helps my clients achieve their goals.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Studio 31G, I specialize in creating high-quality video content for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry—showcasing everything from groundbreaking ceremonies to final walkthroughs. I specialize in everything, from videography, photography, flying drones, etc. My work focuses on telling the full story of a project, capturing the craftsmanship, design details, and the people behind the build. Whether it’s a luxury apartment development, a corporate headquarters, or a cutting-edge renovation, I help AEC professionals bring their work to life in a way that’s engaging, cinematic, and strategic.
What sets Studio 31G apart is the perspective I bring to the table. With a background in construction management and real estate development, I don’t just show up and film—I understand the industry, the project lifecycle, and what will truly bring value to my clients. I know how to highlight the details that developers, architects, and contractors care about, while also making the content accessible and visually compelling for a broader audience. My experience in web development and digital media also allows me to create content that’s optimized for today’s online platforms, helping clients get the most out of their investment.
The work itself is its own reward, but what truly drives me is seeing my clients use these videos to win new business, elevate their brand, and celebrate their teams. When a company tells me that my work helped them secure a major project or that their team felt truly seen and appreciated, that’s what makes it all worth it.
At the end of the day, my goal is to showcase the hard work happening behind the scenes in the AEC industry—from the carpenter swinging a hammer to the developers taking huge financial risks to better their community. Every role plays a part in bringing a project to life, and I’m committed to pushing the boundaries of how these stories are told.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’m very pro-risk—and I think most people are more resistant to risk than they should be. Specifically self-perceived reputation risk. Too often, I see people holding themselves back because they’re waiting for the perfect idea, the perfect timing, or the perfect conditions before they act. But the truth is, you don’t need permission to start something—you can simply do things. Test ideas in the real world, see what sticks, and adjust from there.
Action is far more important than strategy. The biggest risk I’ve taken was buying a bunch of expensive equipment and launching Studio 31G without formal training in video production. I could have spent years convincing myself I wasn’t “qualified” or months obsessing over the perfect gear. But instead, I took the leap—diving in, learning on the fly, and refining my skills through real-world experience. That willingness to embrace uncertainty, experiment, fail, iterate, and improve made all the difference.
People also tend to fear failure too much—but honestly, failing in public isn’t a big deal. Nobody really cares as much as we think they do. What matters is that you keep learning, adapting, and pushing forward. Risk, when approached with the right mindset, isn’t something to be avoided—it’s really the only way to grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.studio31g.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samlarsonfilms.fg/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-larson-minneapolis/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@studio31g
