Today we’d like to introduce you to Bobby Vasquez.
Bobby, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey to entrepreneurship began long before I launched Apollo Aerialography. Throughout my life, I’ve been influenced by the example set by my father, who taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and building meaningful relationships. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force, he earned an associate’s degree in HVAC repair, started his own business, and eventually built one of the largest minority-owned and operated air conditioning service businesses in Central Texas during the 1980s. Watching him build something of his own left a lasting impression on me and helped shape my approach to both business and life.
Before becoming a business owner, I spent 32 years in public education. That career gave me the opportunity to work with people, support their growth, and make a difference in the lives of others. When I began preparing for retirement, I knew I wanted my next chapter to be more than simply stepping away from a career. I wanted to continue doing something meaningful, something that would allow me to combine my creativity with my desire to serve others.
That opportunity came through photography and aerial drone imagery. I was fascinated by the ability of drones to reveal familiar places from entirely new perspectives. What began as an interest in photography and technology gradually developed into a vision for a business that could help individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations tell their stories in compelling ways. I officially launched Apollo Aerialography in May 2021, as I was transitioning out of my career in public education.
Today, Apollo Aerialography offers professional portrait and personal branding photography, event coverage, aerial drone photography and videography, real estate imagery, and construction progress documentation. Although the services vary, the purpose behind them remains consistent: helping people communicate who they are, what they do, and why it matters. We live in a visual world, and I believe strong imagery can do much more than make a good first impression. It can build connections, establish trust, and give a person or organization a distinctive visual identity.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been the opportunity to become even more connected to the community I call home. My wife, Lisa, and I moved to Hutto in 1999, and over the years, this community has become an important part of our family’s story. I am a Marine Corps veteran, a charter member of the Richard A. Oman American Legion Post 302 of Hutto, and a member of the Marine Corps League Sgt. Byron W. Norwood Detachment 1022 in Georgetown. I also had the privilege of serving as Chair of the Hutto Area Chamber of Commerce and received a Congressional Veteran Commendation in 2016. These experiences have reinforced my belief that strong communities are built when people invest their time, talents, and resources in one another.
Family has been equally important throughout this journey. Lisa and I met as members of The University of Texas Longhorn Band, and all three of our children graduated from Hutto High School and The University of Texas at Austin. Today, we are proud grandparents, and we continue to enjoy being part of the community where we have raised our family and built so many lasting relationships.
Looking back, I realize that moving from public education into entrepreneurship wasn’t such a dramatic change after all. The setting changed, but the underlying mission remained the same. In education, I wanted to help people learn, grow, and reach their potential. Through Apollo Aerialography, I have found another way to do that by helping people and organizations share their stories with the world.
I believe every person, business, and organization has a story worth telling. My goal is to help bring those stories to life, create meaningful connections, and use my skills to help others succeed. For me, the greatest measure of success isn’t simply the images I create; it’s the relationships I build and the positive difference I can make along the way.
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 definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and I think that’s true for most people who decide to step outside their comfort zone and build something of their own. After spending 32 years in public education, transitioning into entrepreneurship meant learning to navigate an entirely different professional world. I had experience working with people, managing responsibilities, and building relationships, but running a photography business required me to develop a new set of skills beyond the camera itself. I had to learn how to market my services, find clients, establish pricing, manage business operations, and communicate the value of what I offer in a competitive marketplace.
Another challenge has been learning that being passionate about photography and running a successful photography business are two very different things. Creating images I’m proud of is important, but I also have to understand each client’s needs, manage expectations, meet deadlines, and deliver a consistent experience. Photography is a constantly evolving field, particularly with advances in camera technology, drone capabilities, and editing software. Staying current means being willing to keep learning, experimenting, and occasionally admitting that I don’t have all the answers.
Building a business also requires patience. Relationships and trust take time to develop, and success doesn’t happen overnight. There are times when you invest considerable effort into a project, marketing opportunity, or new service without knowing exactly what the return will be. I’ve learned that you have to remain flexible, be willing to adjust your approach, and continue moving forward even when things don’t unfold as planned.
One of the advantages I brought with me from my years in public education was an understanding that growth is a process. You don’t become an expert overnight, and mistakes can be valuable learning opportunities if you’re willing to reflect on them and make adjustments. I try to approach my business the same way: learn from every assignment, listen to feedback, and look for ways to improve both the quality of my work and the experience I provide to my clients.
Through it all, I’ve come back to a lesson my father taught me through his own entrepreneurial journey: relationships matter. You can have the best equipment and technical skills in the world, but building a sustainable business ultimately depends on trust, integrity, and how you treat people. That philosophy has helped guide me through the challenges and continues to shape how I approach every client and project.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you don’t have to know everything when you begin something new. You have to be willing to learn, remain persistent, and believe in the value of what you’re trying to accomplish. Launching Apollo Aerialography has challenged me in ways I didn’t anticipate, but it has also given me the opportunity to grow, meet incredible people, and continue doing what I’ve always enjoyed most: helping others succeed.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Through Apollo Aerialography, I help individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations tell their stories through professional photography and aerial drone imagery. My services include portraits and personal branding photography, event coverage, real estate imagery, and construction progress documentation. I especially enjoy combining traditional photography with aerial perspectives to create compelling visuals that help clients stand out and communicate their unique identities.
What sets me apart is my collaborative, relationship-driven approach. I don’t believe photography is simply about showing up, taking pictures, and delivering files. It’s about understanding each client’s goals, learning what makes them unique, and creating images that communicate their story effectively. My background in public education taught me the importance of listening, building trust, and helping others succeed, and those same values guide my work today.
I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built and the opportunity to use my skills to support the people and organizations that make our community special. Whether I’m helping a small business strengthen its brand, documenting an important community event, or capturing an aerial view that reveals something people have never seen before, my goal is to create images that make a meaningful difference. Ultimately, I want clients to feel that I’ve invested in their success just as much as they have.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is knowing that I’ve made a positive difference in someone’s life, whether through my family, my community involvement, or my work with Apollo Aerialography. I enjoy meeting people, learning their stories, and helping them see the possibilities in what they’re trying to accomplish. There’s something especially rewarding about delivering images to a client and seeing their excitement when they realize how those images can help tell their story or take their business to the next level.
Family is another tremendous source of happiness for me. My wife, Lisa, and I have built a life together in Hutto and Pflugerville, and watching our children establish their own paths and enjoying time with our grandchildren are blessings I never take for granted.
I’m also a runner, and running has become an important part of my life. What began as a new challenge has grown into a passion that has taken me from being a non-runner to completing 5Ks, 10Ks, and my first half marathon. Running reminds me that growth happens one step at a time, and that consistency, patience, and perseverance can take you further than you might have imagined. I enjoy setting new goals, challenging myself, and discovering what I’m capable of accomplishing.
Whether I’m behind a camera, flying a drone, out on a run, supporting a local organization, or spending time with family, I find fulfillment in staying engaged and purposeful. I think that comes back to a lesson I’ve carried throughout my life: success is meaningful, but the relationships we build, the challenges we overcome, and the positive impact we have on others are what truly matter.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.apolloaerialography.com
- Instagram: apolloaerialography
- Facebook: Apollo Aerialography LLC
- LinkedIn: Roberto (Bobby) Vasquez
