We recently connected with Hugo Healy and have shared our conversation below.

Hugo, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you take vacations? Why or why not?

I love vacations. I make vacations part of my work. I believe any business owner can do this. For me it’s easy, as I can create beautiful imagery during my trips. Which I then use to grow my social media, sell online or to submit into competitions and then win awards! Vacations allow me to see more of the world resulting in more inspiration and creativity. I love exploring new places. I use my vacations to wake up at sunrise and hike to an epic view to take it all in and capture the emotion and beauty there. I believe a lot of businesses these days are run from a laptop. So why can’t you just travel anywhere and work from there? I believe a lot of people could but they don’t. And even if you don’t want to work abroad, vacations are essential to stop a burn out. When you have worked so hard you’re only fair to reward yourself with some time off.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Im a professional filmmaker that specialises in aerial work. However, Im also an experienced camera operator and photographer, on the ground and underwater. I studied photography at school and went on to study filmmaking at university.

Over the years I have always worked extremely hard especially on my social media and my networking. Instagram specifically allowed me to grow my business, skillset and following. I was able to build a name for myself online and in the real world. Winning over 7 awards. Including a MTV VMA, which in a way helped to elevate my career.

I now proved services as a drone pilot, camera operator and photographer. Specifically working on feature films, commercials and social content. As I have an array of skills that goes beyond just being a drone pilot. Including editing and color grading. I am able to fill a number of rolls to a high standard and can offer my clients quite a bit more for the same or a cheeper cost.

As a drone pilot I am in charge of safety on set in regards to the aerial shots and scenes. I often fly drones up to 25kg with equipment cost of up to £250k. As you can imagine that could be quite stressful, I would also have a director and or DOP looking over my shoulder and telling me what shot he wants with the expectations to get it right first time. These drones could easily kill someone so being able to work under pressure is essential.

I have worked on incredible projects such as Dune 2 and the RedBull “bullseye” stunt landing a plane on the burj Al Arab heli pad. As well as shooting Beyonce live at the Atlantis Royal. These are a few of my proudest moments.

I’ve been able to create a community online, specifically on instagram. Where along side my work I post about me too. Allowing my viewers to really get to know me. I’m a laid back individual who doesn’t take life to seriously and that’s the message I’ve always presented. Life is short and there is so much out there to see. Just go out and enjoy it. Only you are holding yourself back!

How did you build your audience on social media?

I started to build my social media without really knowing that was what I was going to do. Essentially photography was always a love of mine. Not only did I love the final outcome of taking a photo. But I loved the whole process- the planning, the finding locations, the travelling there, the exploration, the journey, the countless sunrises at the same spot just to get the perfect conditions. That’s what really can set you apart from the rest.

The point here is that I didn’t do it for social media. I did it for the love of photography and the results of sharing powerful images online consistently was the growing of followers.

If you want to grow your socials, firstly make sure your socials are about something you love. It is a real grind. You have to show up everyday and share your best work! Especially as a photographer on today’s instagram, it’s about being unique and not just posting those classic bangers you see everywhere as it’s now a very saturated market and harder to grow.

So you have to be consistent. But you also have to be engaging. You must engage with other people in the same niche as you. A bit like building a network In the real world. You have to support other artist online and build a community. What you put in, you would get back. Providing you also are sharing top quality work. You need to give people a reason to follow along on your journey. Teach them something new or connect with them as a real friend.
One thing I’ve always done is replied to all of my messages I get. Whenever anyone needs help I will always give them the best help and advice I can give and I will never ignore anyone.

Another essential way I built my following and community was by being present on my stories. I gave people and real insight into my life and brought them along on my journey. The most important thing here though is to be authentically you. Don’t pretend to be someone else. This method maybe isn’t for everyone as you need a slight confidence or a not worrying about what others might think kind of attitude. But I have found that letting strangers into my life through my stories, has been one of my greatest successes. It has even got my a ton of work as people can see I’m a nice, decent, maybe even funny person with a can do attitude who would most likely be great to work with

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2021 I decided to move to Dubai as I had a job offer working full time for a film production company called BaseFilms. Before this I was a freelancer and had always worked for myself.
I was working a ton on UK TV shows as well as loads of social content. But of course with covid and lockdowns that took a big toll on most freelancers including me.
Fortunately, I worked part time as a fire fighter so that kept me going through hard times.
However, when I got this job offer it was a whole new world for me. I was so settled in the UK. I almost couldn’t imagine moving away from all my clients, friends and family to a completely different life in the Middle East. Basically starting again.
Although 4 years later I am now back in the UK. I did take this opportunity and worked full time in Dubai for over three years. (Only planning to stay for one)

Honestly, this was a great decision. Of course it has its draw backs but it really did elevate my career. Some of my biggest projects were out in the Middle East and it showed me a whole new world of super high end production. As well as giving me the opportunity to use equipment, aerial and ground, that I would never have access to as a freelancer in the UK. Helping me elevate my skills set and career.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Hugohealy
• Facebook: Hugohealy
• Linkedin: Hugohealy
• Twitter: Hugohealy
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@hugohealy8925?si=elbr3wj1HFG56bEi