Shooting was always the aspect to production that I was drawn to the most and it did not take a lightning bolt from the heavens to tell me that a career as a Director of Photography was what I should focus all of my efforts on.

Things behind the camera actually started for me while I was working in front of it. After finishing up a scholarship at The Neighborhood Playhouse in NYC I joined the drama department at university in Long Island, NY.

It was on campus that I noticed all of the student films being shot and how the work of the camera could actually make or break a performance. It was a slow transition for a period of time, but soon enough I found myself looking through the camera's viewfinder instead of down the barrel of it's lens.

Sometimes I still can't believe I am lucky enough to do what I feel I am meant to do. Everyday is a different place with new faces. I've seen a wide gamut of the world and the view keeps on getting better because just when you think you have seen it all there is something that comes along to surprise you.

After university I worked as a news videographer at a twin-station shop in Dayton, Ohio for a year or so. After which I decided to branch out and become a freelance videographer. It wasn't the right time for that decision because life decided to humble me a bit. I found myself back at the news station but I returned as a Promotions Producer writing, editing, and shooting promotional material for contests, giveaways, events, and other such functions. 

Three or four months into my run in Promotions I moved up in the world and began working as a Producer/Director for Commercial Services. During this time I did a lot of creative work, and I learned a lot about the politics involved in a sales driven environment. 

Throughout all of my titles, positions, and corporate wanderings I never let go of the camera. I shot everything I produced, and I loved every second of it. Shooting was always the aspect to production that I was drawn to the most and it did not take a lightning bolt from the heavens to tell me that a career as a Director of Photography was what I should focus all of my efforts on. And that is exactly what I did.

So I set out into the freelance market again for the second time. However I was now armed with all of the knowledge I had collected from my various experiences regarding business philosophy, marketing, client relationships, and all of the things I knew nothing about the first time I ventured out on my own.

Today I am a working Director of Photography, and I am loving every minute of it. I see tons of new places, meet tons of new faces, and who knows perhaps one day our paths will cross and one of those new faces will be yours. I hope you'll look into what I have to offer you on your next production, I can be contacted right here through this site anytime.

Thanks for reading.

Rick Pearson