Meet Dillon Shook

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dillon Shook.

Dillon, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I picked up my first camera at the age of 13 in the early 2000s while living in my hometown Colorado Springs, Colorado. I believe it was my parents Panasonic VHS Camcorder or DV Tape Cameras (man… those were fun) and would create little shorts with my friends. Mostly just goofing around and MTV’s Jackass was huge at the time so we used those skits for inspiration which ultimately ended with either us hurt, or mom yelling to knock it off (pretty sure my parents still have these tapes in their library of home videos). FIve or so years went by that I wouldn’t pick up a camera. School, sports, and weekend hangouts began to take up majority of my time and creating wasn’t even on the brain. It wasn’t until GoPro released their Hero 1, and Abe Kislevitz dropped a GoPro skiing edit that I felt re-inspired. I purchased a GoPro Hero 960, and began shooting short videos of snowboarding trips with my buddies, and began to gain some traction with a few sponsors (never paid, only swag, but we were stoked), and publications reposting the videos. Through this journey, I met a rad dude named Seth Hill (professional snowboarder) and ended up editing his trailer for a documentary presented by Red Bull which was huge for me. Showing up to the premiere in Denver, and seeing my name in the credits was a pivotal moment for me that this could really BE something, but it wouldn’t be in snowboarding.

I was able to film and create a ton during this time as my student loans covered my cost of living (in my parent’s basement of course, so NOT much to cover – Thanks Mom and Dad). I needed to start getting paid, and this is when I saw weddings as a market to get involved with – everyone was booking photographers, but no one had really been introduced to videographers. I bought a Canon T4i with the kit lens and began shooting weddings contracted out by a local company. The money was pretty decent which allowed me to save up for gear upgrades, but the time, energy and stress was not comforting at all so I quit. I took a year off from it all, finished my associate’s degree, worked local fast food and retail jobs, then it wasn’t until a trip to Europe with my family and girlfriend that doors began to open. My brother was wearing a MVMT watch, and I saw that they would repost customer photos so I captured some images of the watch in Croatia, submitted them and within a week or so I received this email saying they loved the images and wanted to send me a free watch to shoot. My thought was here goes doing shit for free again… I was working at Urban Outfitters at the time so I refocused my energy and took it as an opportunity to do this trade work with the goal of it landing something bigger. It did just that – after a few months of trade work they brought me on as an exclusive content creator for their brand (MVMT Watches). We were out in Los Angeles for my brother’s graduation when I got the email, my girlfriend Aubree flew home early for work, but I stayed in LA to meet the MVMT Team in person. I flew home and told her we are moving to Los Angeles. This is where we need to be, you are a professional makeup artist, and I am a photographer // filmmaker – this city needs us. Within a month our studio apartment in Denver was packed in a UHAUL and we were headed West. She had no job, I only had MVMT as a contractor. To say we were scared is an understatement. Growth lies in fear, the first step is taking the leap and the universe will catch you. She landed a freelance makeup gig with Makeup Forever, and I was able to live solely as a freelance photographer. Shooting for MVMT lead to another client which lead to another and so on. No they weren’t knocking on my door, I was knocking on theirs – hundreds of emails a month went out to prospective clients, and only about 2-3 would book me. I was working with roughly 6-7 clients on monthly retainers. I said YES a lot, no matter the budget – which lead to shooting some work for Forever 21 Mens, Original Grain Watches, The Goods LA, Pocavi, and being published in Nude Magazine Issue 026 with two feature stories. 2017 comes to a close, and I am exhausted.

I applied for a photography opening at Califia Farms, go through the interview process and all, then one day I wake up with a DM from a dentist, yes a dentist in ABQ, NM – Breaking Bad territory. Galen Detrik wanted to start a conversation about some ideas he had. Granted I had no fuckin’ clue about dentistry or how I could be a fit in that industry. One phone conversation, and a flight to Las Vegas to meet him and his wife for dinner lead to the biggest opportunity of my career. I wasn’t one to take risks – always played the conservative card, but something deep down said what would happen if you didn’t do it? Would you regret that? so I said YES. He is a cosmetic dentist, his wife is a life coach – and they are changing dentistry for the good. They run an online platform The Thrive Dentists – offering technique, photography, and mindset masterclasses to dentists that will help them THRIVE, and grow their practice. Where do I fit in? What started out as me flying to ABQ to photograph his cases, lead me to becoming a photography/film instructor, creative director, graphic designer, photographer, and filmmaker of the company. We now help dentists rebrand their practices with emotive visual storytelling in the format of photographs, videos, and web design.

Working with The Thrive Dentists has given me the flexibility to pursue my passion for portrait work and build a portfolio to grow my own personal brand, Dillon J Shook. I continue to work with The Thrive Dentists, as an instructor and mentor for our masterclass students, but majority of my time now is spent making portraits with agencies, people, and creating visuals for brands.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The biggest struggle along the way has been more of an internal one. Self-sabotaging my work for the longest time because I “felt” it wasn’t where it needed to be. This was the hardest part to overcome, it would keep me from booking clients, and I would always procrastinate on projects all because of fear. Fear of what the client would say, or if they would even like the work. It took a year or so removing the fear factor, and finding balance in this. I finally understood this process takes time, energy, and patience. Fast forward to now, I am creating more than I ever have, am busier than I have ever been, and the happiest with the work I am producing.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a portrait, lifestyle, and brand photographer & filmmaker at Dillon J Shook. I work with agencies creating updated portfolio books for their models, as well as headshots for actors, actresses, and musicians. When working with brands, I tell their story through emotive visuals in the format of film and photography, this is to bring awareness to current and new clients. I am also a photography masterclass instructor and mentor with The Thrive Dentists. I absolutely love this aspect of my work, helping others grow and building a community around creativity not competition has been amazing. I truly enjoy talking photography with others and sharing any piece of advice I have come across in the seven years of doing this. If anyone wants to grab a coffee and talk shop let me know!

I am known for my ability to capture “raw” emotive portraits. I have a very minimal approach to my work, one light source, apple box, and backdrop will do the job! I have also been told that my video work is unique and embraces storytelling.

I am most proud to stay away from the trendy and trust my own process of creativity. “Trendy is the last stage before Tacky.” – Karl Lagerfeld

What sets me apart? That is a tough and difficult one. Through many conversations and thoughts about this, a person is at their best when they can be natural. Being a photographer, I have to be able to connect with each person who sits in front of me. This is an art form within itself, researching my subjects, and being genuinely interested in who they are and their story is where the juice lies. So what sets me apart? Being a great listener and conversationist with every single subject who sits in front of my camera.

What were you like growing up?
I was the younger sibling to my older brother. And more of the artistic, introvert one. Growing up I spent quite a bit of time alone, and when it came to being social, I would hang out with friends in a smaller, more intimate setting. I would avoid large gatherings or parties. I believe this played a large role in the development of the creative I am today – when I’m not out on location shooting, you will most likely find me hanging out at home editing, hanging out with my lady and our puppy Nala or working on moodboards and proposals for the next client.

Contact Info:

• Website: dillonjshook.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @dillonjshook

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.