Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian T Wagner.
Hi Brian, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Westlake, where the digital world became my second home.
In middle school, I started building websites and coding scripts with friends. We were automating game characters to level up while we chilled at the mall. That early exposure to systems and automation sparked something big in me. I became obsessed with figuring out how things work online, how patterns drive behavior, and how you can scale something just by understanding the architecture behind it.
During high school and college, I doubled down on digital. I took every course I could in programming, graphic design, and digital marketing. I wanted to learn how to communicate visually and technically, and how to grow things online with intention. I wasn’t just watching from the sidelines. I was launching projects, testing tools, and building real-world experience.
At the Art Institute, I expanded beyond tech into culture. I ran crews for local music venues and worked with independent record labels. Around the same time, I stepped into the role of publicist and brand rep for fine artists and musicians. I helped shape artist identities and pushed them into public spaces through strategy, events, and media. It was gritty, fast-paced, and full of learning. I learned how to collaborate, direct creative teams, and turn abstract ideas into clear, shareable moments.
That mix of creative work and technical background made social media marketing feel like a natural extension. I built the @AustinCurated Instagram account from scratch and grew it to a significant following in under a year. It taught me how to read the room, identify emerging trends before they hit, and guide content that actually lands. After that, I shifted focus to working with businesses and clients directly, helping them scale with fast-launch digital tools.
On the tech side, I now specialize in rapidly deploying high-performance WordPress builds with deep integration capabilities. I run a top-of-the-line Linux-based rack-mounted web server with NVMe memory, which allows for ultra-fast load times and performance that meets or exceeds industry standards. I also work from a Mac Studio setup, optimized for creative workflows and production tasks, which allows me to move quickly between development, design, and media work.
On the creative side, I own and operate a suite of professional Sony cameras paired with Sigma lenses. This gives me the flexibility to shoot sharp, high-quality content for a variety of formats and campaigns. I have built a strong visual portfolio through client work and personal projects, including everything from portraits and events to branded shoots and street photography.
I’ve also spent years learning through the art world. I’ve studied under sculptors, photographers, filmmakers, painters, and musicians I met through social media and workshops. I’ve attended exhibitions, shadowed creative mentors, and worked on everything from photo series to video projects. That hands-on experience shaped my design instincts and taught me how to create work that connects emotionally while staying rooted in clarity.
If you want to see my photography, you can browse the gallery on PassGallery or fill out a quote form through my Photography Page.
Looking ahead, I am focused on roles in creative direction, project management, web development, and brand identity. I am excited to lead projects that combine technology, art, and strategy. My blend of technical fluency, creative experience, and trend awareness makes me well equipped to bring ideas to life and build brands that last.
I live right next to Auditorium Shores, so I am only minutes away from any downtown Austin location. When I am not working, I like to recharge by hiking, biking, going to concerts, and exploring new places. These moments outside the screen help fuel the inspiration I bring back to every project I take on.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been a roller coaster. I spent most of my 20s doing unpaid internships and working for free, which helped me build skills but made it hard to value my time. When I finally started naming my rates, I ran into pushback. Loyalty was hard to come by, and I had to learn how to advocate for fair compensation without burning bridges.
One of the biggest challenges was explaining the complexity of web development and design. These projects are not one-time tasks. They require maintenance, server infrastructure, design updates, and support over time. It is a lot like a triple net lease in commercial real estate. You are not just paying for the space, but also for everything that keeps it functional.
As I fumbled through trying to communicate all of that, I definitely lost some jobs. But I gained clarity and wisdom every time. I learned how to stand by the value of my work and how to speak about the full picture like a professional, not just a creative.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What I’m most proud of is building a solid 8 out of 10 skillset in nearly every medium a brand would need to develop its identity. From design to development to strategy, I can step in at any point and contribute with confidence. On top of that, I’ve also developed an 8 out of 10 skill level across several art mediums. That includes photography, sculpture, visual storytelling, and creative direction.
What really sets my work apart is the depth I bring from studying the past 50 years of art movements and design traditions. I understand the patterns, motifs, and language that drive visual culture, and that gives me a unique edge when I’m creating or collaborating. It makes team communication clear and fluid, and it expands the possibilities for what we can create together.
Now that I’m stepping into the expert adult phase of my life, the work has gotten even more exciting. Projects move forward with clarity and momentum. The pace feels powerful and aligned, and I’m more energized than ever about what’s possible.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Finding a mentor is really about creating space for opportunity through sacrifice. It is rarely easy. In creative entrepreneurship, my biggest advice is to never give up. You might try over and over, and the business side won’t always go how you pictured it. But through all that effort, you gain experience. Eventually, your projects run smooth, the friction fades, and you start getting paid what makes you feel stable. From there, momentum builds, and it gets better.
If you want to specialize, you can link with a mentor who needs exactly what you bring. If they trust your work and the energy is right, you can become their go-to and live a more predictable and fulfilling life doing what you love.
Keep going, fellow creatives. We are conceptual workers, and as robotics replace physical labor, this kind of thinking is more essential than ever.
Pricing:
- Pricing varies by scope, scale, and timing of your brand moment
- Most clients come to me before a major launch, rebrand, or public pivot
- I work best with decision-makers who understand the value of premium strategy and identity
- Projects are custom-built after a discovery call to align on vision and goals
- I focus on quality, clarity, and long-term impact over one-size-fits-all packages
Contact Info:
- Website: https://briantwagner.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian.t.wagner/
- Other: https://brianwagner.passgallery.com/
