40. Soul Over Strategy | Building a Career with Creative Depth and Longevity as a Photographer and Director
What does it actually look like to build a thriving photography and directing career, not just on paper, but in practice? Hubert Kang has steadily built a respected presence in the industry, known for his soulful personal work, big-hearted leadership style, and high-level commercial campaigns.
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Key Topics Discussed
• Why Hubert believes side hustles don’t cut it in a creative career, and what it really takes to go full time
• The essential role of kindness, curiosity, and personal values in business growth
• What personal projects reveal to clients that commercial work never can
• Why directing became a natural extension of his photography path
• The real reason to start a production company
• When and why reps will come knocking, and what they actually look for
Episode Highlights
00:06 Starting from Scratch After Business School
Why Hubert left a “safe” career path to start photographing houses for $100 a shoot
00:15 The 360 Motel Job That Changed Everything
How traveling solo across the U.S. turned into a photography education
00:20 Getting in the Room with the Greats
What Hubert learned assisting world-renowned photographers at Santa Fe Workshops
00:31 Why He Was a Terrible Assistant
And how getting fired helped him discover his true path in documentary photography
00:37 Building Community One Relationship at a Time
How showing up with appreciation and treating crew like friends became Hubert’s secret weapon
00:45 Personal Work That Means Something
From Ugandan baseball to global human-animal connections, Hubert shares his why
00:54 Directing as a Natural Progression
How curiosity, collaboration, and team leadership drew him behind the monitor
01:00 The Vision Behind Kindred and Scout
Why Hubert and his producer Amy started a company rooted in values, not profit
01:08 Do You Need a Rep?
The truth about when reps will actually take you on, and how Hubert’s found success with two
01:14 Staying Resilient Through the Highs and Lows
The rituals, mindset, and gratitude that keep Hubert grounded in a roller-coaster career
🔗 CONNECT WITH HUBERT KANG
📸 Instagram | @hubertkang
🖥️ Website | www.hubertkang.com
💼 Production Co. | Kindred and Scout
🔗 CONNECT WITH MARSHAL
📸 Instagram | @marshalchupa
💻 Website | www.marshalchupa.com
🔗 LinkedIn | Marshal Chupa on LinkedIn
