We recently had the chance to connect with Brian Wangenheim and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Brian, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Right now, my days are a bit of a beautiful juggling act. I’m in the middle of selling my house in Trona, CA, and currently living in Sun Valley while looking for a more permanent spot down here in LA. A big part of my time is focused on building a few creative businesses, mainly around AI-powered media, hotel content creation, brand photography, and immersive VR video tours. I’m also raising two kids with my wife, which is a full-time job in itself!
Every day is a mix of creativity and hustle, whether it’s pitching to clients, planning a shoot, editing content, or chasing the kids around the park. I’m trying to stay grounded while also embracing everything this city has to offer. The energy in LA is inspiring. It’s challenging, sure, but I love the sunshine, the diversity, and the feeling that something exciting is always around the corner.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Brian Wangenheim, a visual artist, photographer, and creative entrepreneur originally from LA. I wear a few hats, but at the core, I’m all about storytelling through images and video, especially where art and technology intersect.
I’ve spent the last 7+ years doing real estate and brand photography, but recently, I’ve been diving deep into AI-powered content creation, things like immersive VR video tours, animated AI videos, and developing media packages for boutique hotels and creative brands. I’m building a small creative agency that blends traditional photography with emerging tech to help clients stand out in fresh and meaningful ways.
Outside of client work, I’m also a painter. I’m currently working on a large piece and putting energy into getting my work seen at local art shows and exhibitions. Painting is a huge part of how I process the world, and I’m always looking for ways to blend that personal artistic voice with everything else I do professionally.
I’m married with two kids, so everything I create or build is deeply connected to supporting my family while still doing what I love. Right now, I’m especially excited about growing my hotel media business and continuing to experiment with new formats like VR and AI storytelling. It’s a fun, unpredictable journey, but I feel like I’m right where I’m supposed to be.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
Holding my first 35mm disposable camera. I remember winding it up, hearing that little click, and feeling this weird thrill, like I had a secret tool that could stop time. I was in 2nd grade, taking funny, random photos of friends and things around me. Most of the shots didn’t even make sense, but when I saw the prints later, it was like opening a time capsule. There’s something mystical about capturing a moment, you’re bottling up a piece of reality. That early connection to photography made me feel powerful in the most innocent, magical way.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
Deciding to sell my home in Trona was a big one. Living out in the central California desert had its perks, peaceful, quiet, affordable and it gave me space to focus on my art and creative projects. But over time, my family and I started feeling the pull back to LA. The energy here is unmatched, the food, the people, the creative scene, the mix of nature and city, it’s just where my heart is. It wasn’t an easy decision, but sometimes you have to shake things up to keep growing.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yeah, for the most part, it is. I have fun working, I genuinely enjoy creating and staying focused. Very rarely will you catch me doing nothing unless I’m spending time with my family. I’m always trying to grow, whether it’s in my creative skills, learning something new, or in my relationship with Jesus. I don’t like wasting time, and I think that comes across. Most people know me as a photographer or a creative, but the version they don’t always see is me as a dad. That’s a huge part of my life too, challenging, but incredibly rewarding.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If immortality were real, what would you build?
I actually do believe in immortality, not in a sci-fi way, but spiritually. I believe the universe is fine-tuned and that the Bible holds deep truths about our existence if you take the time to really understand it with the right perspective. I’m not exactly sure what’s to come, but I trust there’s something beyond all this, and I look forward to it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bjw.client-gallery.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_photographer_111/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-wangenheim-410038269/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bwexperiences
