We recently had the chance to connect with David Estrin and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning David, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I started my Photography and Video Production business, David Estrin Productions, in 2017 right after graduating from San Diego State University. I was young and had all the energy in the world, and thought it would be an instant success. Boy, did I have a lot to learn.
The first year taught me how to be comfortable with the unknown. There were busy weeks, and weeks where I had to think of new ways to reach clients and past contacts.
8 Years into running my photo/video business, I can finally start connecting the dots on how it has been built from the ground up. From networking, growing business relationships, helping others that had last minute needs, and from constantly communicating my availability and current bandwidth for new projects was I able to learn how to run a business and be comfortable with the entrepreneurial journey.
It wasn’t easy, but the challenge to grow and learn, and help so many amazing clients in the process, has been exciting and inspiring to myself, and many others.
Few will see all the ups and downs, but I want to thank everyone for their support all these years. It has kept this journey exciting, and helped me bring others along for the ride when larger crews are needed to tackling a larger event or project!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi guys! My business, David Estrin Productions, provides Photography, Video Production, Video Editing, and Live Streaming Services in the Corporate San Diego Community, and beyond. With my portable set up, I am always open for travel opportunities as well. I also work with many event planners and families and film and photograph lifecycle events like Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, and Family Events.
Since all events and projects vary in complexity, I like to talk with my clients and prospective clients about how to best meet their specific needs, and I create customizable photo and video packages.
A few exciting recent projects have included:
– Working as a Video Editor on a 5 year long World War II Survivor Documentary Project (Athenia’s Last Voyage), that just released on Amazon Prime!
– Photographing and filming Weddings
– Medical and Science Conference Photography
– Video Camera Operator at Conferences in multiple cities
Each new event or project is a chance to network with inspiring colleagues, and to expand my skillsets in my photo/video craft!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
My entire childhood was full of team based sports! From Age 5 peewee soccer, to starting baseball at age 9, every season of the year I was growing, learning new skills, and meeting many peers my age.
Looking back, I was always competitive, and I took a win or loss very seriously. I was part of something bigger than myself. These experiences really taught me how to be a team player on and off the field.
Without knowing it, I constantly pull from these youth sport experiences in my day to day approach to working with others in my Photography and Videography business. Every production I’m on, I want to do the absolute best I can to “win”. I think working in a creative field lets me compete day in and day out, and put out the best work I can.
I think everyone has a past experience that has been instrumental in developing them, and can pull from those experiences in their current phase of work/life tasks.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
As a creative entrepreneur, I’d give my younger self, or others that are younger the advice to accept that not everything will happen quickly. You might have all these big goals and plans in your first year of business, but don’t forget to take a breath, and understand anything meaningful takes time. And by takes time, I mean a few years of productive steps in the right direction. Looking back is much easier than looking forward, so give yourself the courage to keep growing at your own pace, as you navigate the journey of growing your business or skillsets.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
A lot of the current social media is constantly shouting for you to join their course, or follow their magical formal to success. Yes there are some good ones out there, but the key is not to over expose yourself to everyone else’s opinions. A lot of times it can be distracting to the actual tasks you have right in front of you.
Signing up for someone’s course won’t help you edit that 1 Wedding that is sitting on your hard drive in front of you. It will distract you from reconnecting with those 2 event planners you met a month ago. Small wins are so much more valuable to your growth, and you build the foundation for your business.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I grew up in a very supportive family, that let me try all types of experiences, outlets, sports, and experiences.
I had always loved watching movies and shows, and when my high school had the elective opportunity of Media Production, I confidently signed up. After taking that class, I knew that I wanted to pursue a creative career and lifestyle. So I have, and will continue to keep finding work opportunities that inspire me, and help others at the same time. This is the work I was born to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://davidestrinproductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidestrinproductions/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidestrinproductions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidEstrinProductions/
- Other: https://vimeo.com/davidestrin
Image Credits
David Estrin Productions owns the rights to these images.
