The Freelance DOP Life

Summer Survival Mode: Burnout, Balance & New Gear

Bruna, Dale, and Joon catch up on their chaotic summer. Joon's drowning in work and weighing a return to full-time freelance. Bruna shares how her first client photoshoot went. Dale recaps months of non-stop travel and production work across Canada. What's That New New: A dreamy perfume ad with stunning flat lighting, and Tilta's game-changing autofocus system that could bring cinema lens quality to small crews. Plus: dealing with burnout, Dale’s dad one podcast rule, and why the team desperately needs your likes and validation. Whether you're navigating freelance life, love gear talk, or just need to know you're not alone in the summer grind, this one's for you.

The Freelance DOP Life

What does it really take to make it as a freelance cinematographer in today's market? In this episode, we sit down with Director of Photography Cody Preston, whose journey from childhood stop-motion films to shooting major commercials proves there's no single path to success. We talk about his early start as an extra in Diary of a Wimpy Kid, running a clothing business in his twenties, and the decision to focus on freelance cinematography over creating his own production company. We also dive into the behind-the-scenes of his recent documentary work with Destination BC, featuring adaptive sports across British Columbia, and a technically demanding Terra Footwear commercial that pushed creative boundaries. Plus his approach to networking authentically with directors and why craft-first thinking builds sustainable careers. Plus: Grandma Baba's mysterious career connections, crash cams, and why focusing on the work attracts the right collaborators. Connect with Cody: Instagram: @codywpreston Website: www.codypreston.com [http://www.codypreston.com] Check out his cinematographer template: https://lento.me/templates/filmmaker [https://lento.me/templates/filmmaker]

Freelancing in a New Country

What happens when you leave everything behind to start over as a freelancer in a new country? In this episode, we sit down with documentary filmmaker ⁠Balazs Horvath⁠, who left his life as a punk rock musician and lawyer in Budapest to rebuild his creative career in Vancouver from scratch. We talk about working construction to afford his first camera, finding community through online courses, and the cultural shock of Canadian work culture, plus what it really takes to transition from immigrant outsider to trusted creative collaborator. We also explore Balazs' current passion projects documenting fascinating Vancouver characters like community hero Leona Green and the nomadic "Dirty Kids" street performer subculture, and how he finds stories worth telling. Plus: Would You Rather, creative tools, and why being genuinely kind matters more than perfect work in Canada.

Why Freelancers Need Community with Richard Lam

Welcome to Episode 2 of The Freelance Lounge! We're joined by our very first guest, Richard Lam - the mastermind behind Vancouver's thriving freelance creative community. Richard shares his journey from marketing professional to full-time freelancer, the challenges of starting a business during the pandemic, and how he accidentally built one of the most valuable creative networks in Vancouver. We dive deep into the importance of community for freelancers, the business side of creative work, and why sometimes the best opportunities come from just showing up consistently. Plus, we get into the nitty-gritty of invoicing, gear talk, and some truly ridiculous "Would You Rather" scenarios.

First things First: Meet our hosts

Meet your hosts! In this debut episode of The Freelance Lounge, Bruna, Dale, and Joon sit down to share their personal journeys into freelancing — from creative pivots and burnout to barbershop gigs and building production companies. It’s raw, honest, and full of the stuff we usually talk about after a shoot over drinks. If you're a creative navigating the freelance life, you're in the right place. Hit subscribe and join us as we build the community we’ve always wanted to be part of.