Today we’d like to introduce you to David Aguilar.
David, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas, and moved to Austin at 29 with a dream of pursuing coffee roasting. Within two years, I became the head roaster at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, began dating the person who would become my wife, and discovered a passion for videography. What started as a hobby quickly evolved into a side business, helping brands in Austin tell their stories through engaging videos.
In 2020, when the pandemic hit, I made the bold decision to go all in and launch Meek Monster Media, alongside my personal brand, “Aerial Austin”. This leap turned my career into something extraordinary, taking me from filming real estate and capturing the city of Austin to traveling the world, filming some of the most beautiful luxury resorts and properties even collaborating with iconic businesses like Truluck’s, the Moody Center, TxDOT, Garrison Brothers, and The Driskill. I’ve even had the honor of filming the Austin Marathon for two consecutive years.
Beyond ambition and drive, what has truly shaped my journey is my relentless determination to persevere through challenges. It’s this resilience, paired with a commitment to my craft, that has propelled me to where I am today.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Some of the struggles I’ve faced along the way are ones many people can relate to—battling feelings of inadequacy, imposter syndrome, and wrestling with questions of identity and purpose. These have been recurring challenges, sometimes daily or weekly, and overcoming them has required consistent effort. Each small victory against those internal battles has given me the confidence to face larger struggles head-on.
One of the greatest challenges I’ve ever faced was the passing of my older brother. This happened during one of the most joyful moments of my life: the announcement of my firstborn son. Navigating the loss of my brother while preparing for fatherhood was a pivotal point in my life. At times, work felt meaningless, yet I knew the world wouldn’t stop. I had to learn how to juggle the weight of grief with the responsibility of moving forward.
Ultimately, this struggle revealed a resilience within me that I didn’t know I had. I chose not to let his death define me in sorrow but to let it inspire me to reach new heights. It became a turning point—not something that pulled me into despair, but something that pushed me toward success. That experience taught me how to honor his memory by living with purpose, pursuing excellence, and finding strength even in the hardest moments.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a videographer and photographer based in Austin, Texas, specializing in drone videography and creative content production. My work is best known for breathtaking drone cityscapes and cinematic visuals that tell captivating stories. My ability to showcase the vibrancy and uniqueness of Austin, paired with my skill in crafting compelling narratives, has become a hallmark of my work.
One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is my career itself. I am completely self-taught in videography, photography, and drone piloting. This journey of learning and refining my craft has allowed me to build a name for myself and establish Aerial Austin. Beyond professional success, I take pride in personal milestones like completing the Austin Marathon in 2023 with only one month of training—a testament to my perseverance and determination.
What sets me apart is my relentless drive, unwavering dedication, and genuine desire to excel in everything I do. Whether it’s producing stunning visuals, helping businesses tell their stories, or empowering others to reach their goals, I approach every project with passion and a commitment to excellence. Creativity, resilience, and a strong work ethic are at the core of who I am, and they continue to shape both my personal and professional journey.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk-taking is one of the most essential pillars of a fulfilling and meaningful life. One of the first major risks I took was moving from Brownsville to Austin without a clear roadmap, only a deep desire to reinvent myself, learn new skills, and become the person I aspired to be. That leap of faith not only transformed my life but also opened doors to opportunities I couldn’t have imagined at the time.
Another significant risk I’ve taken is running a self-owned videography business. My wife and I work as a team—while I focus on film, photography, and storytelling, she handles graphic design, website creation, and client communications. It’s a bold move to bet on yourself, especially with two young kids (ages 3 years and 6 months), but I want to teach them the value of taking risks to pursue your passions and dreams. Without risk, you leave so much potential untapped.
Most recently, I’ve taken the leap to go all in as a content creator. My goal is to spend more time at home with my wife and kids while using the skills I’ve honed over the past decade to help others reach their goals. I’m building three courses—one on drones, another on cameras, and a mobile course—to empower others to become content creators or videographers with these tools. Each risk I’ve taken has been rooted in the belief that growth and success lie just beyond fear, and I hope to inspire others to take their own leaps of faith.
Pricing:
- $1,000 (photoshoot- Food and beverage, real estate, portrait photography)
- $ 1,500 (Videography- website header video, social media videos)
- $2,500 (Video/Photo/Drone Combo)
- $4,500 (full day video/photoshoot)
- $5,000+ (Multi day shoot)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://meekmonstermedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aerialaustin_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aerialaustin512
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesus-david-aguilar/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@aerialaustin_
Image Credits
Drink photos are from Trulucks, Luxury Resort is Skye Texas in Fredericksburg and the one with all the people on congress bridge is from the 2024 Austin Marathon.
