We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Noah Toaso. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Noah below.

Noah , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

It all started in middle school when I got my first 35mm film camera. Our school had just received a grant that allowed us to shoot 400-speed black-and-white film. I spent the entire year chasing my friends with that camera, capturing almost everything I could. Looking back, I think I could have accelerated my learning if I had continued shooting at that same pace. Those early years of photography pushed me out of my comfort zone with the variety of subjects I experimented with. I vividly remember the frustration of reviewing my contact sheets and feeling disappointed with how I captured the action. I would stay up late at night, trying to figure out how to photograph movement in a way that conveyed excitement and energy. Those challenges became a driving force for my growth as a photographer.

Noah , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Growing up in a military household, I wasn’t exposed to many career paths outside of the ones I saw around me. I always loved movies and literature, but I wasn’t sure if I could make a living from them. That all changed when I stepped onto my first film set. It was there that I realized I wanted to become a director of photography and tell other people’s stories visually. Since then, I’ve shot music videos, commercials, short films, and documentaries, with my camera taking me all over the world. If there’s one thing I’m most proud of in my career, it’s helping others bring their visions to life. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the look on someone’s face when they’re thrilled with the final product.

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

When COVID hit, work in Los Angeles came to a complete standstill. At the time, I was just beginning to gain momentum in my career. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to work in Europe when everything shut down in the U.S. What started as a simple idea turned into three years of living and working in Western Europe. It was challenging at first, but over time, things gradually started to fall into place. This was, without a doubt, the biggest pivot I’ve made in my career. I’m incredibly grateful for the experience because it allowed me to keep working, growing, and learning in ways I never anticipated.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe moving to Europe helped my reputation within the industry. Initially, many of my peers thought it was an almost impossible move, but with hard work and patience, that impossibility gradually became doable. It’s similar to starting new projects—they often seem daunting at first. I’d like to think that my resilience in overcoming challenges is something my peers recognize and value, making me a valuable asset to any team.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.noahtoasodp.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noah.p.toaso/