Meet Dustin Shepard | Cameraman & Editor

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

Hi Dustin, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I really didn’t know what I was doing in my early 20s. Spent 3 years at LACC, doing lowkey absolutely nothing besides socializing. Loved computers and gaming, thought to myself, “I should major in computer science!” But our professor was old, tired, and boring as hell. So I dropped that major…Always loved kids and had slight thoughts of being a teacher, since my first job was a YMCA camp counselor. Picked up Child Development as a major, while also working full time at Trader Joes. I’m not one to focus well on homework and studying, so balancing the job and school was not good. Dropped out of college completely. And found myself depressed as hell, trying to figure out what to do. Then I remembered that I have a vivid imagination and had a few friends that were film makers. So I thought making videos and films would be more enjoyable than any other job in the world. And haven’t stopped since I got my first camera in 2009.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m born and raised in LA, I have loved this city my whole life. It was never a destination based dream for me to be in Hollywood. I think the thing I’m most proud about is that I haven’t quit yet. Before I owned a camera or even thought of shooting videos. I worked at Trader Joes on 3rd and La Brea. So I was in the hot spot for the film makers who needed to stock their fridge. Once I bought my first camera which was a Canon 7D, I was meeting a lot of creatives coming through my checkout line. And I’d bring up that I have a new camera and trying to learn and shoot more. Many of them invited me to their shoots/productions to shoot BTS and make edits of the day and it just kept going and led to many more opportunities that were easier to achieve because of the customers that became friends through my time at Trader Joes. People like Daniel Sollinger, Miguel Starcevich, Adam Tillman-Young & Shalonda Cornitcher, Co-Founders of Passerine. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned, is to let more experienced people really show you something. Take it in and be humble. Or you’ll learn the hard way and be like “ooooooooo that’s what they were trying to explain to me years ago!” I want the world to know that I’ve been through some painful things in life and I’m still able to find and capture the beauties and joys of this world through my art, My connections with others has blessed me with some amazing opportunities. In 2023 I was in Palestine…September 27th-Oct 8th. Shooting a documentary. I became friends with Lauren Hashian(Director/Singer/Songwriter/Producer) in 2016, daughter of John “Sib” Hashian, who was the drummer of the band BOSTON. And she later in life asked me to film her wedding day with Dwayne The Rock Johnson. Shout outs to Glen McGowan for connecting me and Lauren. And I’m excited to see what comes next in my career.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I recently fell in love with Spearfishing/Freediving a few years ago and it has become a big part of my weekly routine. I’d most definitely be taking them to a favorite cove of mine in Palos Verdes. Leimert Park because I love my black folks. Take them to get some fire KBBQ in Ktown. Everyone loves a good smoothie. So fersure taking them to Simply Wholesome and many more black and brown owned restaurants. I would take them to places that don’t get highlighted in mainstream media when it comes to WHAT TO DO in Los Angeles. Lots of things south of the 10 freeway. Okay and maybeeeeeeeeeeeeee Venice Beach.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
David Courtemarche! Like a second father to me. He’s a big time award winning Production Designer. And has had my back since I first met him in 2010. He’s connected me with so many people and I’ve gotten to work on a lot of cool music videos in Art department with him. When my father was murdered in 2014 of April. David was on set of a HUGE music video and left set immediately to see me when he found out my dad died. People like him have kept me up when I was spiraling into darkness.

Website: https://Thegoodshepardvids.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-shepard-3006958b/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/eldente

Image Credits
Stills from footage and photos I’ve taken.