I am a lifelong lover of art and a photographer with four decades of hands-on practice. An engineer by trade and a leader by opportunity, I strive to learn something new every day, seek opportunities to strengthen my community, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. I focus on finding the positive in every situation. As the owner of Images by Design LLC, I create studio and on-location imagery, videos, and aerial photography with a commitment to technical excellence and creative storytelling. I also mentor others through workshops, champion sUAS (drone) applications, and contribute to STEM initiatives in the community.…

James Setzer

5.0 (2 reviews)

I am a lifelong lover of art and a photographer with four decades of hands-on practice. An engineer by trade and a leader by opportunity, I strive to learn something new every day, seek opportunities to strengthen my community, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. I focus on finding the positive in every situation. As the owner of Images by Design LLC, I create studio and on-location imagery, videos, and aerial photography with a commitment to technical excellence and creative storytelling. I also mentor others through workshops, champion sUAS (drone) applications, and contribute to STEM initiatives in the community.…

Available to hire

I am a lifelong lover of art and a photographer with four decades of hands-on practice. An engineer by trade and a leader by opportunity, I strive to learn something new every day, seek opportunities to strengthen my community, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. I focus on finding the positive in every situation.

As the owner of Images by Design LLC, I create studio and on-location imagery, videos, and aerial photography with a commitment to technical excellence and creative storytelling. I also mentor others through workshops, champion sUAS (drone) applications, and contribute to STEM initiatives in the community.

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Work Experience

Owner, Manager & Chief Photographer at Images by Design LLC
January 1, 2015 - Present
Creates artistic, technically correct, and unique imagery for clients, including studio and on-location photography, video clips, aerial imagery, photo processing, and video production. Balances costs, schedules, and production value to optimize project outcomes. Hosts photographers’ workshops and teaches structured courses in studio settings, on-location, and with non-profit partners. Serves as an ambassador for the sUAS (drone) community through workshops and tutoring sessions. Works to be an informative ambassador of the sUAS industry to the community through seminars, workshops, and STEM initiatives.
Command Information Officer (CIO) at US Navy
February 1, 2004 - June 1, 2017
Spearheaded the RDT&E Network redesign as Chief Engineer and Project Manager, enhancing functionality, improving cybersecurity, and reducing costs for Navy research laboratories. Led engineers, scientists, and practitioners as a Team Lead, Branch Head, Division Head and CIO, spearheading transformation, modernization, optimization, compliance and cybersecurity enforcement for RDT&E facilities across NAVSEA. Revolutionized shipboard networks by acting as a Subject Matter Expert for the CVN-21 Carrier Program.
Senior Systems Engineer at Alcatel Internetworking
October 1, 1999 - December 1, 2003
Engineered network infrastructure solutions tailored for DoD clients including shore-based infrastructure for Navy, Army, and Joint Forces facilities, as well as Navy Shipboard tactical, HM&E, and logistics networks. Provided expert network consulting to Product Design Engineers creating next generation communications equipment.
Internet Services Director at Electronic Systems, Inc.
March 1, 1996 - October 1, 1999
Devised and managed innovative Internet Service Provision solutions for the company. Provided advanced network and server design services for large corporate clients and extensive complex environments. Trained engineers on emerging Internet technologies to enhance organizational capabilities.
Chief Network Engineer at Radford University
March 1, 1992 - December 1, 1995
Designed, built, and operated the first campus-wide network, facilitating comprehensive connectivity. Administered mainframe and Unix Server systems. Integrated diverse computing environments across a single campus-wide cabling infrastructure.

Education

Bachelor of Science at Radford University
April 8, 2024 - June 1, 1994
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at Radford University
January 1, 1989 - January 1, 1994
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science at Virginia Tech
January 1, 1985 - January 1, 1994

Qualifications

Licensed sUAS (aka drone) pilot
March 1, 2017 - December 31, 2030
LEAN/6 Sigma process improvement blackbelt
January 11, 2030 - April 11, 2026
DODAF SPRDE Level 3 defense architecture acquisition specialist
January 11, 2030 - April 11, 2026
The Dale Carnegie Course
January 11, 2030 - April 11, 2026
Franklin Covey 7 Habits for Managers Course
January 11, 2030 - April 11, 2026

Industry Experience

Computers & Electronics, Government, Education, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Real Estate & Construction, Retail, Telecommunications, Software & Internet
    uniE621 Interesting Spaces
    Here is an example of a creative composition shot part of a gig by a timeshare management company to photograph resort locations. See more examples of my residential and commercial imagery at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV7qql57y2ErNkoNhQFkGi2LDumyGJFzv photo branding designer webdesigner…
    uniE621 What a view
    Room details shot for a hotel resort client to showcase their facility. photo See more examples of residential and commercial property imagery at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV7qql57y2ErNkoNhQFkGi2LDumyGJFzv designer branding photo…
    uniE621 Event Videography
    Multi-camera recording for your special event. event videography See more examples of my lifestyle video at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV7qql57y2EpxLZQH-wDaZelxWyc6vThD and weddings in particular at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV7qql57y2Ep_xkJF9reNhesJQMqJg5Ci…
    uniE621 Aerial Imagery Services
    Capture your event, property, or community from a unique perspective with bespoke aerial photo and cinematic videos. photo branding video See examples of my aerial imagery at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV7qql57y2EqosO3bI-PJP3-24gDf32hP…
    uniE621 On location training
    Let Images by Design bring photography training to your team. Real Estate Agents, Inspectors, and online sellers are some of my favorite team training clients.…
    uniE621 Photography Tutoring
    Let me share my 45+ years of photography experience with 1-on-1 tutoring sessions, team workshops, and classroom courses. See examples of my instructional style at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV7qql57y2EoQDU0DychIW1XUTgHFIJVM photo training tutoring…
    uniE621 Vacation Rental Property
    When you have a listing that deserves better than the usual run-and-gun photos for the listing. Images by Design can create magazine quality photos and cinematic feature videos to ensure your special listing reaches the ideal buyer. photo video luxury Listing https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV7qql57y2ErNkoNhQFkGi2LDumyGJFzv…
    uniE621 Residential Real Estate
    When you have a listing that deserves better than the usual run-and-gun photos for the listing. Images by Design can create magazine quality photos and cinematic feature videos to ensure your special listing reaches the ideal buyer. photo video luxury Listing https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV7qql57y2ErNkoNhQFkGi2LDumyGJFzv…
    uniE621 Residential Real Estate
    When you have a listing that deserves better than the usual run-and-gun photos for the listing. Images by Design can create magazine quality photos and cinematic feature videos to ensure your special listing reaches the ideal buyer. photo video luxury Listing https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV7qql57y2ErNkoNhQFkGi2LDumyGJFzv…
    uniE621 Architectural Details
    When you have a listing that deserves better than the usual run-and-gun photos for the listing. Images by Design can create magazine quality photos and cinematic feature videos to ensure your special listing reaches the ideal buyer. photo video luxury Listing…
    uniE621 Waterfront Residential Listing
    When you have a listing that deserves better than the usual run-and-gun photos for the listing. Images by Design can create magazine quality photos and cinematic feature videos to ensure your special listing reaches the ideal buyer. photo video luxury Listing https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV7qql57y2ErNkoNhQFkGi2LDumyGJFzv…
    uniE621 Architectural Features
    When you have a listing that deserves better than the usual run-and-gun photos for the listing. Images by Design can create magazine quality photos and cinematic feature videos to ensure your special listing reaches the ideal buyer. photo video luxury Listing https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV7qql57y2ErNkoNhQFkGi2LDumyGJFzv…