Exploring Life & Business with Joel Williams of Music City Dreams Media

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joel Williams

Hi Joel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my journey in videography out of necessity. As a musician, I wanted high-quality visuals but couldn’t afford to keep hiring videographers to film my music videos. So, I made a business decision—I bought my own camera and committed to learning how to shoot my own content. At the time, I had already been volunteering at Channel 19 for nearly a decade, doing camera work and technical directing, so I was comfortable with cameras. But owning one and using it for creative projects was a different challenge altogether.  

At first, I didn’t see myself as a videographer, let alone a business owner. I was just playing around with my camera, testing settings downtown one day, I posted some shots I filmed online and it started to grab people’s attention. Not long after, someone asked me to shoot a music video for them, at first I was reluctant because I didn’t even think about filming for other people and then I said yes—for a hundred bucks. That video led to more inquiries, and suddenly, people were asking me to film their projects. That’s when I realized I could turn this into something real.  

In the beginning, I charged very little or even free because the money wasn’t my main focus, I just wanted as much experience as possible and learn to create visuals that I could be proud of. Those gigs helped to build relationships, improve my skills, and gain real-world experience. I reached out to people, tried to learn from other videographers, even offered to pay for mentorship, but nobody was willing to help. That honestly motivated me. So, I had no choice but to teach myself through trial and error. That hands-on learning was invaluable. It taught me things like how to handle unpredictable lighting, troubleshoot technical issues on the fly, and adapt when things don’t go as planned.  

Over time, as my experience and confidence grew, so did my prices. I went from filming free weddings to charging thousands. My corporate work expanded, too—I landed my first corporate gig through a random post on Facebook. I also filmed a country duo’s performance of the national anthem for the NFL, which aired during a Patriots vs. 49ers game. From there, I started filming TEDx Talks, worked on interviews for a Netflix documentary, and shot music videos for artists like Big Buzz, Struggle Jennings, and Bubba Sparxxx. I even worked on a music video for Colt Ford at Rascal Flatts lead singers house (Gary LeVox) 

But the real turning point came when I realized that videography wasn’t just about making money—it was about freedom. The job I had was great to me but I just knew it was more to life and I felt in my soul that my spirit needed to be free. Picking up that camera gave me a way out. Now, I get to collaborate with artists, business owners, and creatives from all walks of life, helping them bring their visions to life. But the best part is I get to spend so much more time with my family which is my number one priority.  

What sets me apart isn’t just my technical skills, it’s my approach. I don’t just see my clients as clients; I see them as partners. I take the time to understand their goals and ensure that every video I create isn’t just visually stunning but actually works—whether that’s for marketing, branding, or storytelling. My job isn’t just to give you a high-quality video. It’s to make sure that video connects with your audience and serves its purpose.  

I’ve had people who passed on hiring me in the beginning because they assumed my low rates meant low quality. Some of them came back after bad experiences with other videographers—lost footage, bad customer service, or just not getting what they expected. That’s the value of experience. It’s not just about having a fancy camera; it’s about knowing how to navigate challenges, problem-solve under pressure, and make sure that no matter what happens, I get the shot.  

Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing about my journey. Every low-budget gig, every lesson learned the hard way, every challenge I had to figure out on my own, it all shaped me into the videographer I am today. And I’m still growing.  

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not always been a smooth ride. I left my full time job to completely focus on videography, it wasn’t the best financial decision at the time but I knew that staying at my job would stunt my growth because I would always have that financial safety net. I missed a lot of bills and even almost had my house taken away from me due to not being able to make enough to pay for everything. I just kept believing in what I was doing and I always knew that if I worked hard at the things I could control, that the things that were out of my control the universe would take care of it for me. And it did, because now I can proudly say that I cannot only pay my bills with videography, I can pay them months in advance. My motto is “Wake Up Your Dreams”. I believe too many people have real dreams and they are stuck in life due to fear. It’s understandable but I believe in living life with no regrets. Don’t let your dreams just become sleeping fantasies. If your dream/goals doesn’t scare you then you are not dreaming big enough.

– Wake Up Your Dreams

We’ve been impressed with Music City Dreams Media, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Music City Dreams Media, we create videos and photos that help businesses stand out. Whether you need a corporate video, product commercial, headshots, event coverage, weddings, films, music videos, etc… we’ve got you.

So, what makes us different? We actually care about your vision. We don’t just show up with a camera—we take the time to understand your brand and bring your ideas to life in a way that feels real and connects with your audience. With years of experience working with small businesses and big companies, we know how to deliver high-quality content without the stress.

One of our proudest moments? Filming an entire indie movie with no crew and a tiny budget—just creativity and hustle. That same energy goes into everything we do, making sure you get the best results.

Bottom line: If you need visuals that tell your story and make an impact, let’s talk.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I have met some amazing videographers and photographers along my journey and we have grown very close. A couple of people that I truly respect and value not just in this field but as friends are Donzaleigh Powell (Donzaleigh Photography), Sheka Byrd (Royal Premire Films) They have helped me grow in business and creativity and we all work together to push each other to greatness. Rodney McKinnon was one of my closest friends that suddenly passed away in 2023. I met him while filming and we grew a very strong bond that I carry with me til this day. He was an amazing videographer and photographer and I learned so much from him. Blakely Dunn, Curtis Smith and Kerry Tidwell are the people I shared my dreams and visions with when I first started and they always had nothing but positive energy to speak into my goals. My wife Tomechia has always been my true support system and is not shy to let me know when something I’m creating sucks and to go make it better and I love her for that. My mom has supported anything that I have ever pursued and she probably promotes me, talking to people every single day. Another person that I would like to highlight is Dr. Craig Prior, he has shown me how to move in business and family with intelligence and integrity. There are many more people that I could mention that have shined a light on my journey but I will not bore you with that at this time hahahaha.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mcdreamsmedia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/music_city_dreams_media
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musiccitydreamsmedia
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelwilliamsmedia/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@musiccitydreamsmedia