About Me

Hello. My name is Dalton. I'm a creative based in Phoenix, Arizona. Currently, I serve as the Creative Director at Living Streams Church for my day job, but I also create YouTube content for creatives in the Church. Additionally, I pick up side projects occasionally as time allows (video, photo, web, etc.).I guess you could trace my interest in digital media back to my adolescent years, when I would attempt to make home movies with my friends using my family's Sony Handycam. Fast-forwarding to my early teenage years, I discovered my love for filming and editing recap videos for my youth group's summer and winter camps with my Flip Video Camera. I even "interned" after school to help produce videos and design sermon slides and print materials for youth services. But it all started to get real when I got my first "real" camera—the Canon Rebel T3i (real ones know). That's when I began learning how to make "cinematic" videos and mastering the basics of DSLR photography.Since I was so involved in media and art classes during high school, it only made sense to begin a community college education with an emphasis in Digital Media Arts. Impressively, after my fourth year in a two-year degree program (and with just one credit to go), I dropped out to dedicate my time to a new job that would pay me to do the very thing I was going to school for. It was a risk, but totally worth it.I worked professionally in the branding and marketing industry for about three years. There, I learned about the corporate world, conversion funnels, and the basics of using a broadcast video switcher. Because I was essentially the only employee, my role knew no bounds. I designed graphics and print materials, produced videos, managed the CMS, coordinated email marketing, set up automation systems, and even dabbled in live event production. Eventually, I was laid off from this job, which led me to take an intern position for the summer of 2017 at the church my wife and I had started attending. Life felt like it reset during this time; I was only one year into my marriage, and we had to move in with my in-laws to save money. It was a challenge.But things started to look up and pan out. I worked my way from a summer intern to a year-long intern. Then, I transitioned from a year-long intern to a part-time role managing the broadcast and post-production video departments. Around 2019, I moved from part-time to a full-time Video Assistant role. COVID-19 really helped solidify my position in 2020. From there, I stepped into the Communications Director role from 2022 until 2024, at which point I became the Creative Director. I found myself leading the very department I had once interned in for a summer. I'm now closing in on a decade of being on staff at Living Streams, and it feels like time has flown by.Over the years, I've learned more in my skill set from the weekly ins and outs of ministry than any classroom environment could have taught me (and I still don't regret dropping out of college, by the way). I've led video teams, planned and executed conferences, scripted, filmed, and edited more video announcements than I can count, and designed hundreds of sermon series and event graphics. The project list goes on and on—if you can think of it, I've probably done it.My job looks a little different these days. I do less of the "hands-on" work and more leading of the team that executes those projects. I have also pivoted more into vision casting and the overall direction of our church, focusing on how creativity plays a part in that. Truly, I am blessed to have the job I do. More recently, I've also found a bit of success in YouTube content creation after a couple of my videos hit the right audience and helped others.Looking forward, I want to continue applying the professional skills I've learned over the years to a foundation of content creation for other creatives, specifically those in the Church. I love seeing others learn creative skills and experience the satisfaction of making something out of nothing but a camera, some editing software, and an idea. When others gain knowledge and are encouraged by their own ability to create, it reminds me of why I picked up a camera in the first place: to just make something for the sake of it!My overall vision is to see Church creativity flourish and truly excel in the arts when compared to general culture and society. With digital media creation being so accessible, I believe it's vital to continue creating art from the Church that has meaning, importance, and shares the message of the Gospel in diverse ways. The Christian creative space has seen a lot of trend-chasing and keeping up with the status quo. Our services are copied from other churches, our sermon art looks identical, and our creative ideas are insulated within church culture. My belief is that we need an artistic revolution in the Church—one where we can challenge the status quo and truly diversify how we express the story of Jesus.The goal I've dedicated myself to, both vocationally and through online content, is to see a shift in the way Christians create. I want to see creatives in the Church empowered to utilize technology and digital media to tell stories better, to express the Gospel in various meaningful ways, and to offer something unique to the Kingdom through their work and creative problem-solving. Art and the act of creation are powerful tools, and I believe they are best utilized when telling the greatest story ever told.Besides my interests in digital media, I also have a ton of other hobbies! I play drums (more on that here), produce music, collect Star Wars paraphernalia, do DIY projects around my house, and nerd out over my Plex server/physical media collection. I have an affinity for vintage technology and cameras. I also own a business with my wife where we offer photography services and wedding films.

Straight 2 U - Logan Alexandra (Director, DP, Edit, Color)

Being Human Sermon Series Branding - Living Streams Church (Photography, Design)

David & Kitty McVicker Live at The Calling - Living Streams Church (Edit, Color, Drums)

Cameras
Blackmagic Design Pocket 6K Pro
Sony A7 III
Fujifilm X-T3
iPhone 15 ProLenses
Sigma 18-35 f/1.8
Sigma 70-200 f/2.8
Tokina 11-20 f/2.8
Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2
Pocket Dispo LensAudio
DJI Mic Mini
Rode Wireless GO II
Oktava MK-012
Slate ML-2
Zoom H1 Essential
Zoom Livetrak L-8
Universal Audio Volt 2
IK Mulimedia iLoud Micro Monitors
Yamaha HS5 Studio MonitorsLighting
Godox FL150
Aputure 120D II
Aputure 60D
Nanlite PavoTube II 4'Misc Gear and Software
iPad Mini
Elgato Mic Arm LP
Small Rig Magic Arms
Impact Super Clamps
ATEM Mini Pro Extreme ISO
Blackmagic Camera App
Davinci Resolve Studio
Ableton Live
Logic Pro

Besides working in the digital media space, I've also spent the past 20 or so years playing the drums in church services, as well as in professional live and recording settings. I actually first got interested in following Jesus and going to church because they let me play drums in my youth group.Playing drums isn't something I really advertise in my creative services repertoire. My time is limited, and it's truly something I just love to serve in. Because of that, any recordings I'm involved with come from personal connections or from tracking live worship at church.Playing the drums is a true passion of mine, and I still thoroughly enjoy writing, recording, and performing with bands or serving at church.Watch my drum cams ⟶Listen to my discography ⟶