What to Expect When You Hire Me as Your DP

I get this question a lot - usually right after someone watches something from my reel and wants to know what the process actually looks like. So here it is, honest and practical.

Before the Shoot

Before I show up on set, I'm already in it. Prep isn't optional for me. When I take on a commercial job, I want to know the brief, the references, the location, the talent situation, and the time of day we're shooting before I open a rental house quote. That's not me being difficult - that's me doing my job properly.

I work primarily with Vault Rentals, Rarebreeds West in LA and know those teams well enough to pull the right package fast.

If it's a lean and mean shoot qith tight schedule and core crew only - FX6 could work for most commercial and lifestyle work. When a project calls for something heavier - an Alexa 35, a Venice 2, signature primes - I've rented those setups and know how to spec them without blowing the budget.

Deal memo before shoot day, always. These aren't negotiable - and they shouldn't be. They protect both of us.

On Set

My default mode is lean and intentional. A lot of my work is 2-3 person crews - me, a director, sometimes an AC. I've shot YoungLA campaigns in Miami with a full grip-and-electric team and I've shot B2B content for MarketScale solo with just a producer. The approach adjusts. The standard doesn't.

I'm hands-on with lighting. Not "let's just use natural light and hope" - (unless theres truly no light available / no crew etc) but also not "let's rent a 5-ton and light everything."

I lean toward motivated, practical-feeling sources. And I bring a talented G&E team that knows their gear, have DMX control etc

I also communicate. If a shot isn't going to work, I'll say so early enough that we can actually fix it. That's the job.

After the Shoot

I don't typically edit as I prefer someone else more talented in post should be doing the cutting, I'll make sure the footage handoff is clean, labeled, and backed up. I'm not the DP who disappears after wrap.

Is It a Fit?

If you're a brand or a director looking for someone who will care about your project the way you do, show up prepared, and shoot with intention - we should talk. If you need someone to "just get coverage or do it for no money" there are cheaper options and I'll be honest with you about that.

The best way to figure out if we're a fit is a 15-minute call. Not a pitch - just a conversation about the project. Book one below.