Meet David Pu’u | Journalist, Photographer and Cinematographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with David Pu’u and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is relative, more or less.

Perception of risk and understanding the attendant consequences, has always driven me into study and training. At a certain point, I develop faith in my ability to succeed at the endeavor and engage in its planning, eventual implementation and success.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I simply worked in my strengths which were the Ocean and Water. I made sure to shoot things not many others were at that time.

Based on my editorial publication success, many other doors opened up to me and I simply walked through those and into new arenas and challenges.

As a result, I found myself in some amazing company, time and time again.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have had that happen a lot, actually, as my wife and I maintain a group of pal who we jokingly refer to as our “Super twinkly international friends. ”

We keep a spare bedroom at the house for those passing through or stopping in for some time together.

Eating: I do the cooking. Something I expanded on as a result of the ramifications of the Covid clown show.
Since we grow much of our own food, meals tend to be a good way to expand on a subject most are interested in: healthy, delicious fare.

I generally take them up to the top of the watershed which is at 7.800 feet elevation and show them around. It is only a 45 minute leisurely drive from our house.

Then I show my friends around the coast.

If they are into it, I encourage them to head out to the Channel Islands with our friends at Island Packers. I sailed and surfed out there for decades and it is possibly one of the most alive, beautiful places I have seen in my global travels. The islands are literally 32 miles from the house. I can see them from our bedroom.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Every single editor that I have had over the years. Each Director, DP and Production designer, every coach. EVERY SINGLE actor, athlete, model and public figure who have consent to be subjects.

Names: Jim Kempton, Bruce Brown, Tim Disney, Andy Gottlieb, Penny Hadfield, Claudio Roche, Lorenzo Di Stefano, Steve and Debee Pezman, Flame (Larry Moore), Jeff Divine, Jason Murray, Sam George, Shawn Alladio (K38 Rescue), my ex wife Veronica Slavin, who was one of the first female surf photographers (and my personal) and is a successful commercial photographer today. My wife, designer Donna von Hoesslin, founder of Ocean Ohana Inc and Betty Belts. Both of my amazing sons who did not burn the house down or get arrested while I was away working the four corners of the Earth.

All of my remarkable colleagues especially my former assistants Brian Nevins and Tyler Swain who went on to be leaders in the field.

Website: www.davidpuu.com www.bettybelts.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidpuu/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidpuu

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/davidfpuu

Other: https://vimeo.com/user3013888