Meet Mitch Stroup: Owner of DuckPond Productions

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mitch Stroup and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mitch, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Be on time. I had a football coach named Coach Dudik, he’ll have no idea who i am if he ever were to read this, he said something to me that sparked a fire in me. His word were “If you are not 15 minutes early, you are late! If you are on time, you are late!” From then on i realized being on time was half the battle. If you showed up to an interview 15 minutes early, interviewers loved you and you had a better shot at getting the job. If you show up to work 15 minutes early and ready to work, you look more prepared than someone who showed up on time. If you show up to set 15 minutes before your call time, you will book and book and book work. I hire people all day every single day. If you are 5 minutes late and you are the best candidate on paper, I will NEVER hire you. I will always hire someone who is on time, ready to work and ready to learn. Be on time and make a point to be early every single time. 

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I own DuckPond Productions, we are a full service photo production company. We do everything from lighting and gear rentals, to on set digital capture management. What i think sets us apart from the rest is that their is no task to big. If you have an idea for a shoot, we are more than capable of helping you execute some of your wildest ideas, which is a blast and we enjoying doing so! What I’d like the world to know about the brand is that it actually comes from another brand called Duck Season Social Club, this was a brand my friends have ran for 10+ years back home in Kansas City that everyone helped out with. It was such a fun company to work on that they ended up renting a house and naming it “The Pond”. I loved every minute i spent at The Pond, its probably one of my fondest memories; Thus DuckPond Productions.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is a tough one! It feels like forever since we’ve been able to live our regular lives, so i might be forgetting some things! Just some of my go to places, Sunken City, Venice board walk, Westridge Canyon, all the hidden surf breaks up and down the Coast! But regardless what you do and what you see, there’s no visit to LA without our famous Mexican food. I love LA and the sights but in my opinion this city is Mexican food Heaven. The food is what its all about.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My credit goes to so many people! Of course my parents, they were instrumental in making me so ambitious and hard headed. Just a couple people who were giant for me: The Jacob Madden, The Shaginaws, Mr George, Stephanie Nachtrab, Luke Brechiesen, Jason Bontrager, Scotty Loud, Corbin Hindery, Duston Bragg, Zale Bledsoe, Jack Shores, Mikey Santillian, David Paul, Jake Wickersham, Cole Mcmillian, Justus Lind and last but certainly not least, my brother Jay. Jay opened a ton of doors for me without knowing it. Without each and every single person above, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today. Some of these people have no idea the love and the support they have given me but I will never forget any of the things they’ve done for me. Blood or no blood these people are all family to me.

Website: DuckPondDigital.com
Instagram: MitchStroup

Image Credits
@OhChloe @MikeySantilian @Jenavieve