AJ Wendel

Made in West Virginia

The projects I’ve enjoyed most in my career were created here in West Virginia.

Whether filming on a mountain, in a small town, or around Charleston, these shoots reminded me how much character and beauty exist right outside my door.

I’ve spent recent years rediscovering the state through fly fishing and weekend trips into tucked-away creeks and streams. Getting to use my creative background to help showcase that same beauty and sense of place would be a full-circle opportunity I’d be proud to take on.

HealthSmart - TV Spot

Role: Shooter, Editor

Shot and edited a series of lifestyle spots across the state highlighting active living in West Virginia. Locations included Charleston, Snowshoe, and the New River Gorge area, mixing natural scenery with everyday moments of health and community.

Charleston Resturant Week - Social Content

Role: Director, Shooter, Editor

Created short promotional videos for Charleston Restaurant Week to spotlight local chefs and dining culture. Produced on a small budget to support downtown restaurants and strengthen community engagement.

WV Power - Power Up Campaign

Role: Shooter, Editor

Filmed and edited seasonal promotional content for the state's minor league baseball team.

Design Feature: FIXD Automotive Website

While much of my recent work has focused on video and storytelling, design remains central to how I build and manage creative systems. Though not made in WV, I led the visual and UX design for FIXD Automotive’s website, balancing brand clarity with measurable conversion goals.

Click to view live site.

Explore more design work and case studies below...

Experience

2024 - Present
Independent Creative
Content Strategist & Freelance Creative | August 2024 - Present
• Produced video, social, and brand content for independent clients, including touring musicians and small businesses.

• Shot and produced music videos and live tour content for independent musicians, creating promotional assets and social campaigns under fast-paced conditions.

• Developed branding and digital infrastructure for an occupational therapy reading service, preparing the business for future launch and client acquisition

• Continued professional growth through independent projects and training with tools such as Unreal Engine, Adobe Creative Suite, AI tools.
2018 - 2024
FIXD Automotive
Digital Creative Director | August 2020 - August 2024 (Reference From CEO Available)
• Helped build and scale FIXD’s in-house marketing department, starting from a two-person testing team

• Managed a five-person creative team and oversaw all content tied to $2M/month in advertising spend

• Directed and edited hundreds of performance ads, including a Video Sales Letter (VSL) that ran for 5+ years and supported 250+  iterations

• Developed creative testing frameworks and content pipelines that reduced reliance on new production

• Played a central role in team growth, strategy, campaign planning, and channel scaling
Video Content Creator | October 2018 – August 2020
• Produced original video content for the FIXD YouTube channel and app

• Created educational and brand-aligned visual assets using advanced After Effects workflows
2021
Craftsman Tools
Video Producer / Director / Editor | Oct 2021 – Dec 2021
• Delivered a 25-video explainer series for a white-labeled Craftsman Tools version of the FIXD app

• Handled all production phases independently—scripting, directing, shooting, editing, client communication

• Completed the project in under 3 months while managing full-time responsibilities at FIXD
2020 - 2022
Pale horse production
Freelance Director / Editor | Nov 2020 – Nov 2022
• Edited four short documentaries for the outdoor and hunting industry

• Managed story flow, edit pacing, and sound design tailored to enthusiast audiences
2015 - 2018
Charles Ryan Associates
Director of Photography | Jul 2016 - August 2018
• Led cinematography and post-production for agency video work across healthcare, energy, and public service clients

• Directed a $50K healthcare explainer video that went on to win Best in Show at the WV ADDY Awards

• Contributed to writing, storyboarding, and cross-functional creative projects
Video Production Specialist  | Jun 2015 - Aug 2016
• Shot and edited educational and advocacy content for healthcare, government, and natural gas clients.

• Collaborated with directors and PR teams to shape messaging and deliver polished video content.
Film Intern  | Jun 2015 - Aug 2016
• Supported professional film and commercial projects across camera, editing, and design roles