Peter Michael Louis Goggi was more than a collaborator – he was the person who taught me how to see through a viewfinder, how to move through a live event without being intrusive, and how to treat every project – from a First Lady's Luncheon to a wedding – with the same professional respect.

His career was remarkably diverse. Along with two partners, he ran Video USA for years, building a reputation for quality and reliability. He filmed First Lady's Luncheons, medical videos for Discovery and other television stations, and countless weddings across the Washington, D.C. region. But what his clients may not have known was that he was equally committed to teaching. As his obituary noted, he was "a mentor to people in the video business" – and I was fortunate to be one of those people.

A Lasting Legacy

Mike Goggi didn't just hand me a camera and point me toward the action. He stayed beside me, reviewed my footage, gave honest feedback, and modeled what it meant to be a working videographer in the DC area. His calm presence on a shoot gave me confidence. His technical knowledge saved me from countless rookie mistakes. And his willingness to share his contacts opened doors I would not have walked through alone.

Every time I set up a shot, check my audio, or edit a piece to let the story breathe, I'm drawing from what Mike taught me.

This page is a small tribute to a man who shaped my career – and who shaped so many others in our community.