Meet David Slatin | Photographer & Cinematographer

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

Hi David, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
For me, it was a mix of creative drive and a desire for purpose. No matter where I worked, I often felt like I wasn’t being fully utilized. Like I had more to offer, but was constantly held back by structure, red tape, or the limits of someone else’s vision. I realized I was spending my time building other people’s dreams instead of my own, and that wasn’t what I wanted for myself. I wanted my work to reflect my values, my ambition, and my potential… not just spending my effort to fulfill someone else’s agenda.

Starting out on your own isn’t easy, and it takes a lot of confidence and trust in yourself. Trust that you know deep within yourself that you have something more to offer, and you have the ability to develop whatever it is. Once I committed to it, I found that things started to align. There’s something deeply rewarding about knowing that your time, energy, and ideas are going into building something you truly believe in. I’ve always wanted the time I spend working to feel meaningful and enjoyable, and I’ve found that in working for myself.

But it wasn’t just about independence. It was also about creative freedom. Photography and Cinematography have always been more than just a job to me, they’re my way of expressing and communicating my own thoughts and ideas to the world. Through my work, I’ve been able to show people the best visual version of themselves, capture emotions and stories that words can’t express, and contribute something personal to the larger world of creativity. Seeing the reactions people have to my work has been one of the most powerful motivators. Whether it’s through a single frame or an entire visual story, I’ve been able to connect with people and reflect something beautiful back to them.

That’s something I never fully experienced when working for someone else. Now, I get to create on my terms, build lasting relationships through my work, and feel a genuine sense of fulfillment. I learned that it’s not just about making a living it’s about making something that lasts.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The path I’m on today didn’t exist when people used to ask me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I’ve had to carve it out slowly over time, refining my skills and building a lane that I could walk happily with purpose. I grew up loving movies, music, artwork, photography, and technology, so I always searched for something that could blend all of those passions. But back in the ’90s, the tools we have now were still in their infancy. You had to take a leap of faith that what you were learning would eventually evolve into something meaningful.

I built my first computer at 11, learned audio engineering at 18, began working with cameras at 23, became a drone pilot at 27, and started working in film at 32. At the time, none of it felt connected, but looking back, every piece was just a small part of a larger picture. Each skill was valuable on its own, but together, they gave me the ability to do the kind of creative, multi-dimensional work I do today.

Since moving to Los Angeles in 2019, I’ve been fortunate to work on a wide range of creative projects as a camera operator, editor, director, producer, and a licensed drone pilot. It’s been a journey of constant evolution. I’d be lying if I said it was easy, but nothing truly worthwhile ever is. The good news is, when growth happens slowly, piece by piece, you don’t always realize how big the mountain is while you’re climbing it. If I had seen the full scope of the work ahead at the beginning, it might’ve overwhelmed me. But by breaking every challenge into manageable parts, I stayed focused. One day, I looked back and realized how far I’d come.

Along the way, I’ve learned so many lessons, but a few stand out. Trust yourself. Believe in your own abilities, even if the world hasn’t validated them yet. Thinking differently is where all innovation begins, just because it’s not what everyone else is doing doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable. In fact it might be the very thing that becomes something that only you can bring to the world. You have to stay true to what makes sense to you. That’s what leads to new creative frontiers.

When I collaborate with someone, my goal is simple: What are they trying to create? And how can I use the tools I’ve mastered to bring that vision to life? I see these tools as translators, ways of pulling ideas out of the ether and shaping them into something real, something that can be seen, heard, and felt. Whether I’m the one creating the vision or helping someone else bring theirs to life, I want the end result to resonate. To move people. To bring out beauty, emotion, and potential. Sometimes I create, sometimes I translate, but either way, the goal is the same: to inspire, and to make people feel something real.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Los Angeles is a massive city with something to offer everyone. If someone wanted to see it through my eyes, the first thing I’d do is take them to some of my favorite street photography spots. I like to ride the subway to different hotspots… Hollywood, Downtown, Little Tokyo, or just around the various lively beaches. The train stations themselves can be so architecturally beautiful, and every time you emerge from one to a new location, it feels like stepping into a slightly different version of LA.

Nothing reveals the heart of the city more than capturing the randomness of daily life. Street photography shows the reality of LA. The rhythm, the people, the way everyone moves through their day with different goals and stories, and yet somehow flows together. It’s raw, honest, and alive… slightly organized chaos.

Of course, there are the staples: the downtown markets, Hollywood Boulevard, the piers, the museums, the food, and an endless list of nightlife options. It really is a city where anyone can find their niche.

Some people can get overwhelmed by the chaos, but I thrive in it, and I try to share why. LA is an international city, offering culture from all over the world in bite-sized experiences. You can start the week exploring history and art in museums just by walking around, enjoy incredible meals each night, and end it diving into the electric energy of the city’s music events, shows, and nightlife. It’s everything, all at once and that’s what makes it unforgettable.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Without question, I have to give credit to my wife, Nicole Slatin. At the time, I was working long salaried hours, always on call and stuck in a loop of work, eat, sleep, repeat. It was a financially secure job, but it slowly wore down my spirit. I was surviving, but I wasn’t fulfilled. Every day felt like I was drifting further from the creative life I had dreamt for myself.

Nicole saw it before I did. She noticed how the work was draining me, and how any time I had a chance to pick up a camera, fly a drone, or dive into a creative project, I lit up. She recognized that I had built a massive set of skills over the years that weren’t being used, and instead we’re continuing sit dormant in my current career.

She was the one who suggested we take the leap. Leave Arizona and move to Los Angeles, where creativity and production are part of the city’s heartbeat. It was life changing for me. After 14 years in a completely different career, I quit my job, packed up everything I’d learned, and took a chance on myself.

Within a month, I found steady work as a photographer, and that grew into cinematography, editing, directing, and piloting drones for various productions. I rediscovered my passion, and managed to build a life where I get to live my creative dreams every day. None of that would’ve happened without Nicole. That one pivotal suggestion and her confidence in me, changed the entire direction of my life. She was the catalyst that helped me press reset and step on to my new path.

Website: https://dslatin.myportfolio.com/work

Instagram: @slatinstudios

Image Credits
David Slatin