LA Photographer/Director responsible for 7 #1 Trending Music Videos

Joshua Shultz was born in LA and grew up always wanting to be an artist. He started off drawing and painting when he was very young.  “I was obsessed with movies and storytelling, I loved to entertain. I was told to go get a real job and so I did that for a long time.  When I was 28 years old, I realized I was not happy.  So, I stopped everything I was doing and decided to just become an artist.  I lost everything and had to start my life over.”  Pretty quick into photography he started getting published and hired to photograph a lot of big actors and musicians.

“Photographing musicians were usually the most fun.  Soon after I shot some bands I was asked to shoot Imagine Dragons.  I got a call soon after that from the creative director of Rolling Stone asking if she could use my photos for their next issue of Rolling Stone.  I said of course.  Not sure how big the photo would be I waited.  I got a call from a friend who opened Rolling Stone and saw a huge photo of Imagine Dragons and my name.  That same day I had a full-page photo of another big actress also in a major magazine on newsstands across the US.  After that my life changed” He started shooting a lot more from the hype of the magazine and was sometimes shooting up to 4 shoots in a day.  “I loved it so much.  Soon after that I become a Director and wrote and Directed my first Short Fashion Film.  It won a bunch of awards and launched my Music Video directing career.”  Since then he has had 7 Music Videos trending at number one in the world on YouTube and Apple Music and is currently in pre-production on his first movie Directing as well as co staring in.  He recently lost 80 pounds to get into the shape for the role he wanted for the character in his own movie. Check out the rest of the short interview below.

What was the turning point In Your Carrier? 

For me it was like I said above, after my photos of Imagine Dragons were published in Rolling Stone things changed 

How did you decide to pursue a career in photography?

I was asked by a director to go up to Big Sur to shoot a documentary of a band called “Band of Horses” at The Beach Boys studio with one of The Beach Boys.  I learned the camera while in the studio and shooting the band.


What is your favorite subject to photograph?

People.  I think people are so interesting.  Musicians tend to be a lot of fun also.

Whose work has influenced you most?

This is hard.  I try to take inspiration from what’s in front of me.  I love things that speak to me in an authentic way.  I dont like it when it feels forced or posed.  

Among your works, which one is your favorite? Why?

I loved my shoot with “The 1975, Paramour, Imagine Dragons and Jared Leto.  For me after I take a photo and I look at it I dont see just a photo it brings me back to a memory.  The 1975 were so kind and funny and same with Paramour and Imagine Dragons.  It was like playing and creating art.  

Have you ever had any difficult clients?

Oh god yes.  I need to write a book one day on how to handle hell clients.  Some will try to destroy you or your creativity because of their own demons and it can be dangerous for an artist.  But there are some ways to spot them and navigate around them.

What’s your go-to gear line up?

My favorite is my 1960s Film Hasselblad or my 1DX Canon with just a 50mm lens and a flash.  Really depends on my mood.  Im going through a major creative shift currently so things so my gear and process might be changing a lot more

When did you get into directing?

When I was 34.  I just write something. Got a group together raised some money and went out and shot it.  I remember being on set with all the cast and crew thinking “Crap what if I suck” then I thought I will give it my all and its best to try then to not do something based on fear

Favorite client you’ve worked with?

The 1975

What type of advice would you give someone wanting to get into your type of work? 

Like anything in life you got to do it.  Don’t await for permission.  Learn, do make mistakes learn do and repeat.  Its worth it

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Be sure to follow Joshua on all social medias and check out his website below

Instagram @joshuashultz Twitter @joshuashultz Website: www.joshuashultz.com

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