Meet David Bracetty | Director, Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with David Bracetty and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, how do you think about risk?
Taking a risk as a creative, to me, means betting on yourself.

If there is work you want to be hired for and be known for, a company needs to see that in your portfolio.

There will be pressure that you will put on yourself as a creative by spending money, hopping on a plane, or renting that gear you need. But this is needed! You need to know for yourself that you can handle that pressure and actually execute the idea how you saw it in your brain. Once you prove it to yourself and then share it with the world, you rinse and repeat until the market determines you are good enough to earn the business.

I promise you will be ready to earn that work before it comes, and I cannot express the importance of the right decision-makers seeing your work.

There was a time in my career that I knew, even with a few thousand followers, when I posted on Instagram, it was honestly for 3-5 decision-makers that I knew were watching.

The most pivotal moment in my career came from an assignment that gave me the access I needed to create a story I saw in my mind. It required me to get creative and learn to stretch the $1,000 budget I was given for a 10-day photo project. The $1000 covered the flight and some food. I had to find a place to sleep (a friend’s boyfriend’s apartment) and a way to get to and fro (a mountain bike I rode uphill daily carrying all my gear).

Financially it was a loss. But career-wise, it resulted in a piece of work that opened up doors to brands I had only dreamed of working for. New Balance, Brooks, and Adidas had all seen my work and later chose to hire me for similar work.

Every time I had an idea that I needed to bring into the world, I was willing to risk (financially and my time) in order to make it happen. This became my recipe for how I broke into video from photo.

First, it was a photo project at the 2016 Olympic Trials.

Then it was a video project with Olympic hopefuls that opened up the opportunity to direct two documentaries (For Puma and Brooks).

Most recently, it was working with an Olympian to create a sizzle for her feature-worthy story. I teamed up with DP Blair Madigan (Golden Touch- Netflix) and editor Mike Hudson, and we created a 5-minute short that caught the attention of Checkpoint Productions and then NBC Universal’s unscripted division Universal Television Alternative Studio. The project is currently in development.

Taking risks has been a crucial part of my career. I wouldn’t be where I am without it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Taking a creative risk, in my view, means placing a bet on yourself.

To be hired for and recognized in the work you aspire to, companies need to see it reflected in your portfolio.

There is inherent pressure for creatives—to invest money, embark on flights, or rent necessary gear. However, this is essential! You must confirm to yourself that you can handle that pressure and bring your envisioned idea to life. Once you prove it to yourself and share it with the world, you repeat the process until the market acknowledges your skills and deems you worthy of business.

I assure you that you will be prepared to secure that work before it comes, and I cannot stress enough the significance of the right decision-makers witnessing your work.

In my career, there was a time when I knew, even with just a few thousand followers on Instagram, my posts were targeted at 3-5 decision-makers whom I knew were watching.

The pivotal moment in my career arose from an assignment that granted me the access needed to craft a story envisioned in my mind. It compelled me to be resourceful and stretch the $1,000 budget allocated for a 10-day photo project. The $1000 covered the flight and some food. I had to arrange for accommodation (a friend’s boyfriend’s apartment) and transportation (a mountain bike I rode uphill daily, carrying all my gear).

Financially, it was a loss. Yet, career-wise, it resulted in a piece of work that opened doors to brands I had only dreamed of working for—New Balance, Brooks, and Adidas, all of which saw my work and later hired me for similar projects.

Each time I conceived an idea that needed to come to life, I was willing to take risks (financially and with my time) to make it happen. This approach became my pathway to transitioning from photography to videography.

Initially, it was a photo project at the 2016 Olympic Trials.

Then, a video project with Olympic hopefuls paved the way to directing two documentaries (for Puma and Brooks).

Most recently, it involved collaborating with an Olympian to create a sizzle for her feature-worthy story. I teamed up with DP Blair Madigan (Golden Touch- Netflix) and editor Mike Hudson, and we produced a 5-minute short that grabbed the attention of Checkpoint Productions and subsequently NBC Universal’s unscripted division, Universal Television Alternative Studio. The project is currently in development.

Taking risks has been an indispensable aspect of my career. I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In my hometown of Allentown, PA, we enjoy a vibrant mix of cultures, thanks to families relocating from NYC, adding a touch of diversity. While our entertainment and dining options may not be endless, there are local gems worth exploring.

Allentown boasts an impressive city parks system, offering miles of running trails. I would showcase the beauty of the Allentown Parkway, guiding you along a trail that follows a creek, with picturesque turn-around bridges every mile. A perfect morning would include breakfast at a local favorite called Billy’s Diner, where everything on the menu is a delight.

To provide a glimpse into the city’s diverse fabric, we’d embark on a driving tour, exploring various neighborhoods that showcase the wide range of social, economic, and cultural differences. Our culinary journey would include tasting Spanish empanadas on 7th Street, savoring tacos on 12th Street, and indulging in an Allentown classic—Yocco’s Hot Dogs.

For an exciting night out, catching a baseball or hockey game featuring one of the Philadelphia affiliate sports teams would be on the agenda. Post-game, we’d explore downtown’s culinary scene. And to cap off the evening, Seven Sirens Brewery is a must-visit.

In Allentown, the diverse cultural tapestry, scenic parks, and local culinary treasures offer a unique and enriching experience.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Wow, there are so many people that come to mind that have impacted my career from a nudge to a shove. Three come to mind.

Zach Hetrick, founder of Sprint Step Creative for early on introducing me to the right people and helping me get my work seen by decision makers at brands. So much that happened after that was a direct result of Zack helping me get seen.

The second would be Blair Madigan. In 2017 I found myself with the tall order of flying out the Kingston, Jamaica to film a documentary. Since then we’ve flown all over the country telling stories with athletes. My most recent creative project was shot by Blair and its some of the best work we’ve made together.

Lastly, my boy Larry Santana. Without his nudge and encouragement to take the risk on my latest project, I’m not sure I would’ve gotten on the plane across the country to spend money I didn’t have at the time to create something special.

Website: www.davidbracetty.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/davidbracetty

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbracetty/

Image Credits
First image of me shot by Jedidiah Harley . Second image of me with Blair Madigan shot by Larry Santana All other shots by me