EP 124 - Dave Hill on Creativity, Longevity, and Big Brand Campaigns as a Photographer
Today on the pod, I sit down with Dave Hill to talk about what it really looks like to evolve over a 20+ year photography career. We dive into his transition from hyperreal composites to a more natural, wide-angle style, shooting major campaigns for big brands, and how social media changed the industry for all of us. Dave reflects on creative reinvention, not caring so much about outside opinions, balancing family life with ambition, and why staying curious matters more than staying trendy.
Meet Dave:
Dave is a director/photographer based in Los Angeles. He got his start shooting album covers for for artists like 50 Cent and Soulja Boy. This led to shooting national editorial and advertising campaigns. Dave has been collaborating with the top agencies and brands, directing TVC’s and shooting stills across the globe that combine his love of adventure, people, fashion, and cars. With a background in skating and snowboarding, he strives to tell stories that are fast-paced and energetic, always keeping the camera moving. Dave wrote/directed his first narrative feature film, FLYING CARS, which premiered at the 2019 Dances with Films Festival in Los Angeles. His second narrative feature, LET'S BOTH TRY, was just released worldwide in 2025.
Letting Go of What “Worked”
If you’ve been around photography long enough, you probably remember Dave’s hyperreal composite era. It was everywhere.
And then… he let it go.
He shared how he felt the industry shifting and decided to move toward something more natural and wide-angle. Instead of clinging to the style that made him famous, he chose growth.
That takes confidence. And humility.
There was something so refreshing about hearing someone with that much success say, “I felt it changing, so I changed too.”
The Walmart Trampoline Story
One of my favorite moments from the episode?
Dave telling the story of building a trampoline from Walmart in the California desert to photograph My Chemical Romance. Just him, a friend, and a vision.
It’s such a good reminder that big creative moments don’t always start polished. Sometimes they start scrappy.
And then fast forward to seeing his work in Vanity Fair or walking into a T-Mobile store and seeing his campaign nationwide.
Same artist. Different seasons.
Instagram, Relevance, and Not Caring So Much
We talked about how platforms like Instagram changed photography.
Instead of resenting it, Dave leaned into it. He doesn’t pretend it didn’t shift the industry — but he also doesn’t let it dictate his creativity.
One thing he said that stuck with me:
Don’t get so caught up in what people think. Shoot what you love.
That’s something I think a lot of photographers need to hear. Especially when algorithms start feeling louder than your own voice.
The Long Game
We also talked about family, responsibility, and what it feels like to stay creative when life isn’t just about you anymore.
Everything feels more heightened when you have obligations. But that doesn’t mean you stop evolving. It just means you get clearer on what actually matters.
Dave’s story isn’t about chasing trends.
It’s about adapting without losing your curiosity.
About making room for personal work.
About staying in love with the craft.
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Connect with Dave:
Website: https://www.davehill.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davehill2021
