Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Hernandez.
Hi Steven, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I first fell in love with videography when I was about 10 years old. My dad used to film home videos with my brother, cousins, friends, and me—we’d make up our own movies and rap music videos just for fun. Those early moments sparked something creative in me that I didn’t fully understand at the time.
Years later, while working on my master’s degree, my wife bought me my first DSLR camera so I could start creating my own music videos. I dove in right away, but to be honest, I wasn’t very good at first. It took a lot of trial and error, long hours, and learning as I went, but I stayed consistent because I loved it.
Everything changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. I lost my job and became a stay-at-home dad while my wife worked as an essential worker. That season gave me unexpected time with my kids, and we started creating our own videos together. During that time, I began experimenting more with visual effects, editing, and storytelling, and my skills really started to grow.
As my videos improved, friends began asking who made them and how much I charged. That opened the door to new opportunities. I connected with G. Galindo, which helped me step into the local music scene, and later I was mentored by SaulPaul, who gave me guidance and encouragement along the way. I started creating videos for SaulPaul and we even won two awards for Best Music Video and People’s Choice Award in a local Austin Film Festival.
From there, I launched my business, Lamp Post Videos. Since then, most of my work has come through word of mouth and people seeing my videos on local news. What started as a childhood passion has grown into a career where I get to tell stories, create meaningful content, and continue growing every day.
I’ve had the pleasure to attend the Grammys and film behind the scenes, I’ve been to South Africa, Mexico, Guatemala, and soon Honduras to film and create stories of extraordinary change makers around the world.
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’s definitely been a challenging journey—like it is for most creatives. When your work is both an art and a passion, it can be hard to figure out the business side of things, especially knowing how to price your work and what your time is worth.
As a solo entrepreneur, I’ve had to wear a lot of hats—finding new clients, filming, editing, marketing, and managing the business side all at once. That balance hasn’t always been easy, and there’s been a lot of learning along the way.
One of the biggest challenges has been doing the parts of the job I don’t naturally enjoy, while still staying consistent. Over time, I’ve learned the importance of delegating and building systems, even before having the ability to hire a full team. It’s been a process of growth, discipline, and learning how to treat my passion like a business.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a videographer and content creator, and I run my own business, Lamp Post Videos. I specialize in storytelling-driven video content—everything from music videos and promotional content to social media videos and projects that highlight people, organizations, and meaningful stories. My focus is always on creating visuals that don’t just look good, but actually connect with people.
I’ve become known for my ability to take a simple idea and turn it into something engaging and impactful. Whether it’s working with artists, nonprofits, or businesses, I try to bring a creative and intentional approach to every project, especially when it comes to storytelling and visual style.
What I’m most proud of is building this from the ground up and working with people who are changing our world for the better. Most of my work has come through word of mouth, relationships, and people seeing my videos out in the community or on local news.
What sets me apart is that I genuinely care about the story behind every project. I’m not just focused on getting the shot—I’m focused on the message, the purpose, and making something that resonates. I also bring a lot of versatility, being able to handle everything from concept to final edit, while still keeping a personal, relationship-driven approach with my clients.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was really more of an introvert who did extroverted things. I’ve always been drawn to creativity and expression, and my first love was art. I wanted to be an artist for as long as I can remember.
In 5th grade, I started breakdancing, which was my first real introduction to performing and expressing myself in front of people. By 7th grade, I picked up rapping, and that’s when things really started to shift for me. The more I practiced and improved, the more confident I became, and the more I found myself in social spaces and performing in front of others.
I kind of ran with it from there. Looking back, I think I’ve always been someone who enjoys storytelling and capturing people’s attention in one way or another—whether through art, music, or performance. Even then, I didn’t fully realize it, but I was already developing the same passion for storytelling that I carry into my videography work today.
Pricing:
- Basic Content Package – $300–$600 • Short-form content (Reels/Shorts/TikTok) • 1 filming session (up to 2 hours) • 1–3 edited videos • Basic color correction + sound
- Standard Video Package – $800–$1,500 • Music videos, promos, or small business content • Pre-production planning (concept help) • 1 filming session (up to 4–6 hours) • 1 final edited video (3–5 min) or multiple short cuts • Color grading + audio cleanup + simple effects
- Premium Production Package – $2,000–$4,500+ • Full concept development + creative direction • Multiple filming days if needed • Advanced editing, storytelling focus, and visual effects • Drone (if available), multi-location shooting • 1–2 final deliverables + social media cutdowns
- Monthly Retainer (for creators/businesses) – $500–$2,000/month • Ongoing content creation • 2–8 videos per month depending on plan • Priority scheduling + consistent brand content
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lamppostvideos/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-hernandez-9903a941
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDBuGIr4Rv4&list=PLibTjq8f0olV7gJUwgDkDfaliGGvUGK5U
