© Domenic Centofanti. All rights reserved.
My Story
If you looked only at my resumé, my career might seem like an unusual path. I've been a newspaper photojournalist, a teacher, a school principal, a university photographer, a filmmaker, and now a marketing and communications leader. To me, it has never felt like six different careers.It has always been one calling.It began when my father handed me his 35mm camera and a roll of film. After the pictures came back from the lab, he simply loaded another roll and said, "I think you need to go take more."That simple act sparked a lifelong curiosity—not just about photography, but about people.Soon after, a high school art teacher recognized something in me and introduced me to an amateur photographer who became my mentor. He invested his time, challenged my work, and helped me build the portfolio that opened the door to art school. Looking back, I realize they gave me far more than technical skills.They believed in me before I had fully learned to believe in myself.That lesson has shaped every season of my life.Whether I was teaching children in a classroom, leading a Christian school, mentoring college students, producing stories through photography and video, or leading creative teams at Ball State University, the work has always been about more than the job itself. It's been about helping people discover their potential, develop their gifts, and become better today than they were yesterday.My career has taken unexpected turns, but my purpose has remained consistent.I want to leave people, teams, and organizations stronger than I found them.
How I Lead
Over the course of my career, I've been entrusted with leading creative teams, educators, student employees, marketing professionals, and university departments. While the environments have changed, my approach to leadership has remained consistent.I believe leadership is stewardship.It's not about titles or authority. It's about the responsibility to develop people, strengthen teams, and leave every organization healthier than you found it.Early in my career, I pursued excellence in photography and visual storytelling with relentless determination. Over time, my definition of success evolved. While excellence still matters deeply to me, I've come to realize that the most meaningful work I've ever done isn't measured by awards or recognition. It's measured by the people I've had the privilege to mentor, encourage, and develop.I care deeply about honesty—not because honesty is always comfortable, but because truthful, respectful feedback is one of the greatest expressions of care we can offer another person. People deserve leaders who will encourage them, challenge them, and believe they are capable of more than they see in themselves.One phrase has guided my life:Better today than yesterday.Perfection has never been the goal. Growth has.My faith has profoundly shaped the way I lead, reminding me that every opportunity, talent, and leadership role is entrusted to me—not owned by me. That perspective has taught me to value humility over ego, service over status, and people over politics.I've learned that healthy organizations are built by healthy teams, and healthy teams are built by leaders who invest in people.People are not a means to an end. They're the reason the work matters.If there's one legacy I hope to leave, it isn't simply that I produced great work. It's that I helped other people become the professionals—and the people—they were capable of becoming.
"Domenic leads with professionalism, integrity, and a genuine commitment to helping people grow. He builds trust through collaboration, welcomes feedback, develops strong teams, and consistently brings thoughtful leadership to every challenge."Julie Hopwood
Senior Associate Vice President for Business Affairs
Ball State University
Selected Works
Every project begins with a different challenge, but my approach remains consistent: understand the people, define the problem, and create work that builds trust and moves an organization forward. These are a few projects that best represent how I think, create, and lead.
Work: Video entitled, "Ball State Character & Community"Opportunity: Ball State University needed a flagship video that authentically communicated the president's vision while connecting with students, alumni, faculty, and donors.Approach: Great executive storytelling isn't about making leaders look impressive. It's about helping audiences trust them.Role: Creative Director | Producer | Director of Photography | Cinematographer | Editor
Work: Video entitled, "What Does Beneficence Mean to You?"Opportunity: Capture the heart of philanthropy at Ball State through the authentic voices of donors whose generosity changes students' lives.Approach: Rather than scripting the message, I let donors tell their own stories. Authenticity became the strongest form of persuasion.Role: Creative Director | Producer | Director of Photography | Interviewer | Editor
Work: Video entitled, "We Are Honors College"Opportunity: Create a stylized "hype video" as a recruitment tool that features several Honors College students to inspire prospective students to see themselves as part of the community.Approach: The story focused less on academics and more on belonging, curiosity, and each student's unique identity within the college.Role: Creative Director | Producer | Director of Photography | Cinematographer | Editor
Rocket Gear Media
Helping businesses grow by building brands, stories and relationships.
Work: Brand identity for Indiana U BoltsOpportunity: A long-established manufacturer needed more than a new logo. They needed a cohesive brand identity that reflected the quality of their products while creating a consistent experience across packaging, marketing materials, trade shows, and photography.Approach: A strong brand isn't just recognized—it builds confidence. Every customer touchpoint should reinforce the same message of quality, professionalism, and trust.Role: Creative Director | Brand Identity | Product Photographer | Graphic Designer
"Domenic transformed our outdated marketing into a modern brand we're proud to showcase. From our new logo to our packaging to our trade show displays, his work has helped attract new business at every show we attend. He's a true professional who listens, delivers meaningful results, and has become a valued partner."Chris Conroy
President
Indiana U Bolts
Work: Promotional Video: Hocking Hills Bike RentalOpportunity: Create a promotional film that captured the experience—not simply the product—while helping a family-owned business attract new customers and grow its visibility.Approach: People don't buy bike rentals — they buy memorable experiences. The goal was to make viewers feel like they were already on the trail before they ever arrived.Role: Creative Director | Brand Identity | Product Photographer | Graphic Designer
"Working with Domenic is always a two way street with open communication, attention to detail, and a balance of seeing both the forest and the trees. He never lets the technical overshadow capturing the heart of a story and he’s an easy and steady presence, whether working alongside or witnessing him engage with those whose stories he’s telling. "Bobby Bennett
Creative Director
Union Chapel Ministries
Whether telling the story of a university, helping a small business grow, building a brand from the ground up, or capturing moments that can't ever be repeated, the goal has always been the same: create work that builds trust, communicates clearly, and leaves a lasting impression.