Life & Work with Caden Huston of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caden Huston.

Hi Caden, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up on a farm in rural Plain City, Ohio, there wasn’t much encouragement around the arts, but as the second youngest of nine siblings, I was constantly influenced by the music they played around me. From Dr. Dre and Tim McGraw to all of the punk bands my brothers discovered through Warped Tour. Music and art became my escape long before I ever considered myself a creative. After dropping out of college, I picked up my parents’ old camera and became obsessed with teaching myself photography through YouTube and constant experimentation. That same summer, I attended a Phillip Phillips concert with some friends and took photos on my iPhone 4 just for fun, one of which Phillip Phillips reposted across his social platforms. That small moment gave me the confidence to take photography seriously, and from there I spent the next two years shooting every concert I could around Columbus, Ohio, often for free, just to build a portfolio and experience. Those years of grinding eventually opened the door to touring professionally, building connections, and ultimately led me to move to Los Angeles to pursue photography and videography full time.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not. I think one of the hardest parts was learning how to believe in myself before there was any real proof that things would work out. On Instagram, this career can look glamorous, but behind the scenes it’s a lot of long nights, rejection, financial stress, inconsistency, and constantly comparing yourself to other creatives. There were years where I poured everything I had into the work without much stability or recognition in return. Moving to Los Angeles was exciting, but also incredibly humbling. Suddenly, I was surrounded by some of the most talented people in the world, and that forced me to grow fast. I had to learn not only how to become a better photographer, but also how to navigate the business side, build relationships, and stay creative under tight deadlines and limited budgets. Every project came with challenges, but each one pushed me to grow.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a photographer, videographer, and creative director primarily working in music, lifestyle, and brand partnerships. Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to tour and shoot with artists like The Fray, Spencer Sutherland, Lenny Kravitz, and The Chainsmokers. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside a lot of amazing people who continue to inspire me to create work that feels genuine to both myself and the people or brands I’m creating for.

What I’m most proud of is the relationships and friendships I’ve built throughout my career. I think my biggest strength is my ability to connect with the artists and brands I work with and create an environment where people feel comfortable being themselves. I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by a solid community of creatives and entertainers support and encourage one another. I work hard to make raw, authentic work that feels true to whoever I’m creating for rather than forcing my own creative opinions onto it.

I think what sets me apart is that I care more about capturing a feeling than creating a perfect image. Technical skill matters, but my favorite photos usually come from real moments that can’t be staged or recreated.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think the most important qualities behind my success have been patience and authenticity. This industry is so unpredictable and can feel like a rollercoaster, especially as a freelancer in music, where you experience incredible highs that are often followed by slower periods spent searching for the next opportunity. You just have to keep showing up, creating, learning, and trying to improve every chance you get.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cadenhuston.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cadenhuston/

Image Credits
Caden Huston