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IMM Exclusive: Meet Angelica, Videographer and Content Creator Capturing the Court & Who's Up Next

As a creative, Angelica Santiago wants her content to highlight the hard work of the athlete, not the next social media craze of "glitz and glam."

Angelica Santiago Photo

Angelica Santiago is a POWERHOUSE. No stranger to hard-work and creativity, she’s the owner of "Guard Up" podcast, a photographer, sports media content creator, and traveling videographer who has built her personal brand, iAMroyaltyMedia, from the ground up. iAMroyaltyMedia was established in 2014 in Killeen, TX, and has been the go-to for creating on-demand basketball content for players, teams, organizations, trainers, and events in the Southeastern region. There’s no airballs in this woman's future. Below, IMM caught up with Angelica for some one-on-one talk.


IMM: What does the name "iAMroyalty" mean to you?

AS: It means I have PURPOSE… I’m a Princess, a Queen in my own right because my Father is the

King of Kings!


IMM: In your opinion, what do college coaches and recruiters look for in a highlight video, and what techniques do you use in your videos?

AS: College coaches aren’t interested in fancy videos with all the graphics that you usually see on

social media. They like to keep it simple so they can see everything. How does a kid look on

defense, can he set screens, his/her dribbling, and Ball IQ, are you in the correct spot on the

court, and most importantly, BODY LANGUAGE. When I film for fun which could be doing a team

highlight reel or a small individual player reel, then I add a little razzle, not too much but just

enough to catch some attention. I try to focus on the player, catch their reaction, how they

move the ball, of course the rim, and everyone involved in the play.


IMM: How does your business look different now vs. when you first started?

AS: I did my first highlight reel in 2014 with the Boys & Girls Club of Killeen, TX when my oldest son was playing. Then I wasn’t too serious about filming and just focused on Photography outside of sports. I was also beginning to become heavy in church by 2015, so when I started to be more

serious about it I would just record church events and only my son’s games in basketball.


Fast Forward to now… I’ve learned how to work my camera to take better action photos, my videos don’t look like low-budget videos anymore (I shoot in 4k now), and most of all I’ve

learned how to run my business successfully, all by myself.


Adjusting her lens: Angelica in action on the court.


IMM: Other than a Tripod, what are some of your must-have equipment pieces?

AS: I have a monopod and I can’t leave home without it. I got to have my microphone attachment for my camera, my camera bag is a must, the SD adapter that goes into my phone, and I just recently bought a CRE-8 stool to sit while I’m filming on the court in the gym… And I always

keep a bag full of snacks.


IMM: Who is your biggest supporter right now?

AS: Right now, my BIGGEST supporter is my partner Que. He’s my best friend and he always lets me know how my work looks, continues to motivate me, and from time to time, will travel with me.


IMM: You're a family woman. How do you manage your WorkLife balance, being a mom, and managing iAMroyaltyMedia?

ALS: I’m still trying to figure that out. I think that a lot of my clients forget that I do have a

family because I’m always in the gym filming; but sometimes I will take them to tournaments with me just because I want them to be around, and I don’t want to miss them. I’m learning how to say

NO and take a few days to not work and just focus on my family.


IMM: So, when you're not working, what are some of your guilty pleasures (TV, Film, Food addictions or favorite past times)?

AS: I don't watch too much TV because I don't have time or I fall straight to sleep but when I do I'm watching reality shows on Zeus Network. I try to meet my best friends for brunch or dinner when I can, but for the most part I'm a homebody.


IMM: You have an amazing love for music. What songs do you currently have on repeat?

AS: I make playlists on Apple Music. So, my go to playlists are my “Dance-Dance”, “Afro-Beats”, and “Untitled Playlist”. I also sometimes listen to instrumentals I can visualize creating highlight

reels to.


IMM: What’s up next for iAMroyaltyMedia?

AS: Hmmm…. I really want to get into recruiting and branding athletes. I’m trying to learn as much as I can about the NBA Draft process. I want to be able to educate my players and parents about

different processes, whether it be trying to get to the collegiate level or professional level.


To keep tabs on Angelica and iAMroyaltyMedia, support and follow along on social media:



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