Hobbyist to Olympic Photographer with Jack Spitser – Episode 16
Welcome to the Scaling Creator Podcast, hosted by Soren and Eriksen Dickens. In this episode, we dive into an engaging conversation with Jack Spitser, CEO, and founder of Epic Drone Tours, along with Zack Reuter, the company’s COO. Join us as we explore Jack’s fascinating journey from a passionate swim photographer to leading a successful drone videography agency. Discover Jack’s philosophy of seizing opportunities and going above and beyond to satisfy clients.
Segment Breakdown:
● [00:00:00 – 00:00:38]: Introduction by hosts Soren and Erickson Dickens, offering a tantalizing glimpse into what the Scaling Creator Podcast has in store.
● [00:00:39 – 00:07:52]: Jack Spitser’s Origins: Dive deep into Jack’s background, from his early days as a photographer capturing life’s moments to his transition into the professional swim photography world. (Timestamps: Swimming photography roots [00:01:42 – 00:02:53], First professional gig [00:02:53 – 00:03:48], Leveraging opportunities [00:04:08 – 00:05:57]).
● [00:07:53 – 00:11:58]: Building Epic Drone Tours: Explore the evolution of Jack’s career as he shares the story of establishing his company and how he turned his niche expertise into a blossoming business. (Timestamps: Creating value [00:07:53 – 00:08:24], Transition to drones [00:08:25 – 00:09:19]).
● [00:11:59 – 00:14:22]: The Importance of Passion: Jack emphasizes the significance of pursuing projects aligned with your interests and how it can fuel your creativity and business development. (Timestamps: Photography journey [00:11:59 – 00:12:50], Leveraging passion [00:12:51 – 00:13:37]).
● [00:14:23 – 00:19:58]: Scaling a Creative Business: Jack and Zach discuss the challenges and successes in scaling Epic Drone Tours, sharing valuable insights for creators looking to expand their operations. (Timestamps: Overcoming scope creep [00:18:36 – 00:19:37]).
● [00:19:59 – 00:27:05]: The Olympic Experience: Relive Jack’s experience at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he captured moments from the world’s grandest sporting stage as Swim Swam’s photographer. (Timestamps: Getting the Olympic gig [00:22:00 – 00:23:06], Olympic storytelling [00:27:06 – 00:27:47]).
Highlights:
● Jack shares an amusing anecdote about lens rentals and capturing Michael Phelps’s last race on American soil (Timestamp: [00:03:09 – 00:03:11]).
● Discussing the crucial tipping point in a creator’s journey where passion meets business opportunity (Timestamp: [00:07:53 – 00:08:24]).
● Jack’s reflections on working alongside legendary photographers at the Olympics (Timestamp: [00:26:58 – 00:27:08]).
Guest Information:
● Jack Spitser: CEO and Founder of Epic Drone Tours, professional swim photographer, and Olympic media contributor.
● Zack Reuter: COO of Epic Drone Tours, key player in streamlining operations and managing client expectations.
Conclusion:
Don’t miss out on the rest of the stories and lessons in this episode, especially if you’re a content creator or looking to scale your own creative endeavors. Subscribe to the Scaling Creator Podcast, follow us on social media, and join our free Discord community for more insights. Share your thoughts and feedback with us, and visit Epic Drone Tours to see Jack and Zack’s work in action.
Remember, no matter your niche, there’s a story to tell and a business to build around your passion. Stay tuned for more on the next episode of Scaling Creator.